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South Australia - Organisation

Colton Cottage, Thorngate (1965 - 1982)

  • Colton Cottage

    Colton Cottage, c. 1967, courtesy of South Australian Government.
    Details

From
1965
To
1982
Categories
Cottage Home, Government-run and Home

Colton Cottage at Thorngate was opened by the government in 1965. It accommodated up to ten State children in cottage-style living under the supervision of a cottage mother. Children attended local schools and churches. Some children with intellectual disabilities resided at Colton Cottage. Colton Cottage closed in 1982 and the children were sent to a Home Care Unit.

Details

The Children's Welfare and Public Relief Department opened Colton Cottage at 13 Churcher Street, Thorngate on 2 February 1965. It was the fifth cottage of six cottages established by the government during the 1960s. The other five were Merrilama Cottage at Glenelg , Stirling Cottage at St Peters, Clark Cottage at Clarence Park, Spence Cottage at Kensington Gardens and Hay Cottage at Lockleys .

Colton Cottage was named after Lady Colton who was an early member of the State Children's Council. It accommodated up to ten children. Miss O C Stone was the first cottage mother. In later years Colton Cottage also cared for children with intellectual disabilities.

Each of the six cottages accommodated children placed under the care of the State. Departmental Annual Reports from the 1960s stress the belief that cottage style care enabled greater individual attention to be given to each child. The Department also felt that children living in cottage style accommodation and attending local schools would be less conspicuous as 'State' children, making it easier for them to become part of the local community. The cottage system also allowed for brothers and sisters to be placed together. Reports also noted that providing cottage style care was less costly for the government than running large institutions.

Colton Cottage closed in 1982 and the children were sent to a Home Care Unit, where they were cared for in the home of a residential care worker.

Location

1965 - 1982
Address - Colton Cottage was situated at 13 Churcher Street, Thorngate. Location: Thorngate

Related Glossary Terms

Related Organisations

  • Blair Athol Unit (1982 - ?)

    When Colton Cottage Thorngate closed in 1982 four children from the Cottage were moved to the Blair Athol Unit.

  • Clark Cottage, Clarence Park (1963 - 1979)

    The Department created six Cottage Homes in the 1960s. These included Merrilama Cottage, Stirling Cottage, Clark Cottage, Spence Cottage, Colton Cottage and Hay Cottage.

  • Hay Cottage, Lockleys (1968 - 1979)

    The Department created six Cottage Homes in the 1960s. These included Merrilama Cottage, Stirling Cottage, Clark Cottage, Spence Cottage, Colton Cottage and Hay Cottage.

  • Merrilama Cottage, Glenelg (1960 - 1979)

    The Department created six Cottage Homes in the 1960s. These included Merrilama Cottage, Stirling Cottage, Clark Cottage, Spence Cottage, Colton Cottage and Hay Cottage.

  • Spence Cottage, Kensington Gardens (1963 - 1980)

    The Department created six Cottage Homes in the 1960s. These included Merrilama Cottage, Stirling Cottage, Clark Cottage, Spence Cottage, Colton Cottage and Hay Cottage.

  • Stirling Cottage, St Peters (1962 - 1979)

    The Department created six Cottage Homes in the 1960s. These included Merrilama Cottage, Stirling Cottage, Clark Cottage, Spence Cottage, Colton Cottage and Hay Cottage.

Publications

Online Resources

Photos

Colton Cottage - interior
Title
Colton Cottage - interior
Type
Image
Date
c. 1967
Publisher
South Australian Government

Details

Colton Cottage
Title
Colton Cottage
Type
Image
Date
c. 1967
Publisher
South Australian Government

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: George, Karen, Finding your own way, Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc., 2005, http://nunku.org.au/resources/; Mullighan, the Hon E.P., Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry: Allegations of sexual abuse and death from criminal conduct, presented to the South Australian Parliament by the Hon. E.P. Mullighan QC, Commisioner, Children in State Care Commission of Enquiry, Adelaide, South Australia, 2008, 564 pp, https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/107201/children-in-state-care-commission-of-inquiry-introducation.pdf.

Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George