Some people may find content on this website distressing. Read more
South Australia - Organisation

Stirling Cottage, St Peters (1962 - 1979)

  • Stirling Cottage

    Stirling Cottage, c. 1962, courtesy of Annual Report of the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board, 1962.
    Details

From
1962
To
1979
Categories
Cottage Home, Government-run and Home

Stirling Cottage was the second suburban cottage home established by the government. It opened in 1962 at St Peters. The Cottage accommodated up to ten State children in a family-style setting under the supervision of a cottage mother. Children attended local schools and churches. In 1979 Stirling Cottage was renamed the Northern Region Admission Unit.

Details

Stirling Cottage was the second of six suburban cottage homes to be opened by the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Department during the 1960s. The other cottages were Merrilama Cottage at Glenelg, Clark Cottage at Clarence Park, Spence Cottage at Kensington Gardens, Colton Cottage at Thorngate and Hay Cottage at Lockleys.

Stirling Cottage opened on 31 January 1962. It was named after Sir Edward Stirling, the first President of the State Children's Council, and his daughter, Harriet, who was the first female President. The cottage accommodated up to ten children under the supervision of a cottage mother. The first cottage mother was Miss M Smith. She had one full-time assistant and a part-time daily helper.

Children placed at the Home were those who were 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 aimed to simulate a form of family life with children sleeping in bedrooms rather than dormitories. It also allowed for brothers and sisters to be placed together. It was expected that children would attend church and other social activities as members of the cottage family.

Departmental reports also noted that providing cottage style care was less costly for the government than running large institutions.

On 19 February 1979, as part of a restructuring of departmental facilities, Stirling Cottage was renamed the Northern Region Admission Unit.

Location

1962 - 1979
Address - Stirling Cottage was situated at 56 Second Avenue, St Peters. Location: St Peters

Timeline

 1962 - 1979 Stirling Cottage, St Peters
       1979 - 1990 Northern Region Admission Unit
             1990 - Enfield Community Unit

Related Glossary Terms

Related Organisations

  • 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.

  • Colton Cottage, Thorngate (1965 - 1982)

    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.

Publications

Online Resources

Photos

Stirling Cottage 02
Title
Stirling Cottage 02
Type
Image
Date
c. 1962
Source
Annual Report of the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board, 1962

Details

Stirling Cottage
Title
Stirling Cottage
Type
Image
Date
c. 1962
Source
Annual Report of the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board, 1962

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; Annual Report of the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board, 1962.

Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George