Our children and their holiday hosts, 1964
Details
Many institutions sent children to 'holiday hosts' for weekends or short stays during school holiday periods, so that staff employed at the children's home could take leave. The 'Forgotten Australians' report noted that the use of holiday hosts was 'often undertaken in an uncoordinated manner with expediency rather than child welfare being a primary consideration'. In submissions to the inquiry, memories of placements with holiday hosts varied widely, from happy memories to abusive treatment. As child welfare practice evolved, so too did the approach to holiday hosts taken by institutions, as can be seen by an article published in 1964 by the Mission of St James and St John ('Our children and their holiday hosts'). For some young people, their involvement with holiday hosts did not end when they left 'care'. In some cases, the holiday host remained involved, by providing private board or other support when the young person left a Home to start paid employment.
Sources used to compile this entry: Moore, Barbara, 'Our children and their holiday hosts', The Brothers, 1964.
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 31 March 2011, Last modified: 20 February 2015
Last updated: 7 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/vic/biogs/E000666b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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