The Riverview Training Farm, in Riverview, was operated by the Salvation Army. In 1926 its function changed from a boys reformatory to a training farm for local boys and British ‘child migrants’ over 14 years. In 1935 it once again became an Industrial School. The name changed to Home for Boys, Riverview in 1956 when it ceased operating as an Industrial School.
The Industrial School for Boys at Riverview was opened in 1898 as a boys’ reformatory. In 1926 it was changed from a reformatory to a farm training school for immigrant boys and local youths. The Salvation Army was involved in child migration from Britain to Australia and in 1927 the Queensland Government agreed to contribute half the yearly cost of the reception and resettlement expenses of 100 boys. This was to assist the Salvation Army in providing agricultural training at the Riverview farm.
The reformatory work was transferred to the government-run home at Westbrook, however the Industrial School reopened in 1935. In 1950 extensions to the training farm were completed, including a new dormitory and recreation room. This increased the capacity of the home to 65. During the 1950s the Salvation Army Training Home for Boys at Riverview admitted 77 boys under the child migrant scheme. Only “child migrants” over 14 years of age were accepted, on account of the type of work involved at the training farm.
In 1951 a child endowment officer visiting Riverview Training Farm criticised the home for its poor record keeping, such as the failure to report where children leaving the home had been dishcarged to.
The Riverview Training Farm was licensed under The Children’s Services Act on 4 August 1966.
In 1998, former residents of Riverview Training Farm made submissions to the Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions (widely known as the Forde Inquiry). The Committee reported on incidents of unsafe, improper and illegal treatment of children in Queensland institutions, including cases of sexual, physical, emotional and systems abuse. Its findings were detailed and explicit.
Riverview Training Farm was investigated by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Case Study 05: The Salvation Army boys’ homes, Australian Eastern Territory. The evidence to be heard during this Case Study was to have a particular focus to the years 1966-1977, although the Royal Commission stated it expected to hear allegations dating back to as early as 1936.
This page was written by Lee Butterworth, last updated 14 August 2024. Sources used to create this entry:
From
1926
To
1956
Alternative Names
Riverview Training Farm for Overseas Boys
Riverview Training Farm for Boys
Riverview
1926 - 1956
The Riverview Training Farm was situated at 29 Riverview Road, Riverview, Queensland (Building Still standing)
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