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Victoria - Organisation

Berry Street (1994 - )

  • Sketches at the Victorian Infant Asylum

    Sketches at the Victorian Infant Asylum, 6 August 1884
    Details

From
1994
Categories
Care Provider, Community Service Organisation and Records Holder
Alternative Names
  • Berry Street Incorporated (Legal name)
  • Berry Street Victoria (Also known as, - 2007)
Website
http://www.berrystreet.org.au/

Berry Street came into being in 1994, when Berry Street Incorporated amalgamated with Sutherland Child, Youth and Family Services. In 2007, a decision was made to use the Berry Street name, as this was how it was known by stakeholders (it was also known previously as Berry Street Victoria). In 2009, Berry Street was the largest independent child and family welfare organisation in Victoria.

Details

Berry Street came into being in 1994, when Berry Street Incorporated amalgamated with Sutherland Child, Youth and Family Services. The Berry Street name is taken from the street in East Melbourne where the organisation was based up until 2000. The heritage of Berry Street dates back to 1877 and the foundation of the Victorian Infant Asylum.

Sutherland Child, Youth and Family Services was formerly known as Sutherland Homes for Children, established in 1909.

The early years of the new Berry Street organisation saw changes at the former site of Sutherland Homes in Diamond Creek. From 1994, this campus was known as 'Berry Street / Diamond Creek'.

On 18 September 1995, one of the residential units at Berry Street / Diamond Creek, 'Meglin Cottage', was destroyed in a bushfire. A staff member, Eddie Scoleri, was killed. A 16-year old resident was hospitalised for burns and smoke inhalation. A memorial plaque to Scoleri was placed in the Berry Street board room.

Following the fires, the other residents of Meglin Cottage were relocated into the community. Then, residents of Callaway Cottage were relocated. The last residents left the Berry Street / Diamond Creek campus in January 1997.

The Diamond Creek property, which was used for office space from 1997, was finally sold in March 1999. The site at Diamond Creek had been 'home' for thousands of people. Former residents, staff and community members attended an open weekend to 'Say Farewell to Sutherland Homes' on 26 and 27 February, 2000.

In 2006, following the Inquiry into Children in Institutional Care, Berry Street issued an unreserved apology 'for any physical, psychological, sexual or social harm that may have occurred to children and young people in our care'.

Berry Street is the custodian of records from its predecessor institutions and agencies, and those of Sutherland Child, Youth and Family Services. Former residents can contact its Heritage & Background Information Service to access personal information about themselves held by Berry Street.

Location

1994 - 2000
Location - Berry Street was located in Berry Street, East Melbourne. Location: East Melbourne
2000
Location - Berry Street was located in Salisbury Street, Richmond. Location: Richmond

Timeline

 1877 - 1902 The Victorian Infant Asylum
       1902 - 1906 The Victorian Infant Asylum and Foundling Hospital
             1906 - 1964 The Foundling Hospital and Infants' Home
                   1964 - 1975 Berry Street Babies' Home and Hospital
                         1908 - 1991 Sutherland Homes for Children
                         1970 - 1994 Lisa Lodge Girls' Hostel
                         1975 - 1992 Berry Street - Child and Family Care
                         1976 - 1994 Hayeslee House
                               1991 - 1994 Sutherland Child Youth and Family Services
                               1992 - 1994 Berry Street Incorporated
                               c. 1994 - 2012 Lisa Lodge
                                     1994 - Berry Street

Related Organisations

Publications

Books

  • Penwill, Beryl, Looking Back, Looking Forward: the story of 'Berry Street' Child and Family Care, Berry Street Child and Family Care, Melbourne, 1979. Details

Online Resources

Photos

Foundling Hospital and Infants' Home, Blank Admittance Form
Title
Foundling Hospital and Infants' Home, Blank Admittance Form
Type
Document
Source
Berry Street

Details

Sketches at the Victorian Infant Asylum
Title
Sketches at the Victorian Infant Asylum
Type
Image
Date
6 August 1884

Details

Foundling Hospital and Infants' Home, Foundation Stone
Title
Foundling Hospital and Infants' Home, Foundation Stone
Type
Object
Date
1905

Details

Prepared by: Cate O'Neill