The Tweddle Hospital for Babies and School of Mothercraft, in Footscray, opened in 1920. In the 1960s, Tweddle was classified as an approved children’s home. Tweddle provided temporary care for babies and toddlers awaiting foster care or adoption, including some wards of state from 1965 until the late 1980s. It also provided short term care for babies whose mother was ill or otherwise incapacitated.
On 31 October 1990 the organisation was incorporated as a Public Hospital under the Health Services Act 1988 and became the Tweddle Child and family Health Service. Around 2012, Tweddle gave a formal apology for its involvement in past forced adoption practices. It continues to operate in 2026 as a statewide Early Parenting Centre providing services for pregnant women, and families with children aged under five.
From
1920
To
1990
Alternative Names
Tweddle Child and Family Health Service
Tweddle Baby Hospital
URL
1920 -
The Tweddle Hospital for Babies is located at 53 Adelaide Street, Footscray, Victoria (Building Still standing)