Cottage Homes were a model of institutional 'care' which began in the United Kingdom in the late nineteenth century. Along with boarding out, cottage Home accommodation was seen as a preferred alternative to congregate, dormitory-style accommodation. As early as 1885 the Way Commission - a South Australian inquiry into the workings of the Destitute Board - recommended a shift from large institutional care to cottage Homes. In the Northern Territory the Aborigines Inland Mission established cottages after a 1953 inquiry by a patrol officer into conditions in the Retta Dixon Home and other mission Homes.
Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George
Created: 8 November 2011, Last modified: 26 February 2015