Australian Inland Mission Hostel

The Australian Inland Mission Hostel was opened in Alice Springs in 1926. Run by the Australian Inland Mission it began as a hospital and hostel. After the opening of the Alice Springs Hospital in 1939 the Hostel provided accommodation for children from remote areas of Central Australia whose parents were admitted to the Hospital, as well as pre-birth accommodation and post birth after care for pregnant women and their children. The AIM Hostel closed in 1961.

The Australian Inland Mission Hostel was opened in Alice Springs in 1926 by the founder of the Australian Inland Mission, Rev. John Flynn. Run by the Australian Inland Mission it began as a hospital and hostel and was one of only two medical facilities in Central Australia operating before the first government hospital opened in 1939.

After the opening of the Alice Springs Hospital in 1939 the Hostel provided accommodation for children from remote areas of Central Australia whose parents were admitted to the Hospital. It also operated as a Hostel for ‘bush mothers’, providing pre-birth accommodation and post birth after care for pregnant women and their children.

The Australian Inland Mission Hostel building was designed by John Flynn specifically for the outback climate. The thick stone walls, cellar and the ‘lantern top’ above the main roof allowed hot air to rise and escape. Natural ventilation drew the cooler air upwards from the cellar. This process was assisted by a system of air ducts through the building.

In 1952, after the death of the Reverend John Flynn, the Board of the AIM announced plans to close the Hostel. Those involved in the operation of the Hostel opposed the closure. Newspapers of the time reported that Reverend Kingsley Partridge, stated to be the friend and partner of Rev. Flynn, resigned as a result of the decision. The Hostel remained open with Mrs Flynn, wife of the late Rev, and Mrs Mackay taking over the running of the institution.

The AIM Hostel continued to operate until 1961.

From 1961 to 1980 the building was used by the Uniting Church as a Manse, meeting place and Sunday school. The building was listed by the National Trust and was later used as a museum that was still operating in 2014.