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Western Australia - Organisation

Vailima Hostel (1971? - 1977)

From
1971?
To
1977
Categories
Care Provider, Home, Hostel, Non-denominational and Protestant
Alternative Names
  • Vailima Girls' Home (also known as)
  • Valima Hostel (also known as)

Vailima Hostel, in Narrogin accommodated Aboriginal girls and boys in a Christian environment while they went to school or work. It was associated with the Roelands Native Mission Farm and a local pastor from Narrogin. House parents lived at Vailima. Child welfare authorities placed children at Vailima. It closed on 25 November 1977.

Details

Vailima Hostel, at 18 Havelock Street, Narrogin, was originally established to accommodate Aboriginal girls and young women in a Christian environment while they went to school or work in Narrogin. In 1976 at least one boy was placed there.

It seems that Vailima had an association with the Roelands Native Mission Farm from at least 1971 until 1975 and a local Narrogin pastor was also involved in Vailima's management.

Prior to the Vailima Hostel, the Vailima Convalescent Hospital was located at 18 Havelock Street. Possibly, the hostel took its name from that facility.

House parents lived at Vailima Hostel with the children.

When Vailima Hostel closed on 25 November 1977 there were six children under the supervision of the Department, including four who were wards and two others.

National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse

In 2021, the Western Australian government has agreed to be a funder of last resort for this institution. This means that although the institution is now defunct, it is participating in the National Redress Scheme, and the government has agreed to pay the institution's share of costs of providing redress to a person (as long as the government is found to be equally responsible for the abuse a person experienced).

Events

1971? - 1977?
Address - Vailima Hostel was located at 18 Havelock Street, Narrogin.. Location: Narrogin

Publications

Reports

  • Wilson, Katrin and Michael V. Robinson., Aboriginal Hostels in Perth : A Comparative Survey, Department of Native Welfare, [Perth, W.A.], 1971. Details

Online Resources

Sources used to compile this entry: Information Services, Department for Community Development, 'pp.529-530', Signposts: A Guide for Children and Young People in Care in WA from 1920, Government of Western Australia, 2004, https://signposts.communities.wa.gov.au//pdf/pdf.aspx; Interview conducted by Debra Rosser with Avon and Deslee Moyle, Duncraig, on 15 April 2014 regarding Vailima Hostel. State Records Office of Western Australia, Wards - Director's Approval to Transfer from one Institution to Another and Amend Training, Reference Code AU WA S1099- cons2607 A0191 V4 (p.319) - page numbers refer to PDF page number in digital file held by the Department of Communities (Child Protection and Family Support) in 2017. State Records Office of WA: Item A2531 - Property - Vailima/Gilead Hostel (p.11, 27). Western Australia Telephone Directory 1967, p.480. Telephone Directory Western Australia Country Great Southern, South-Eastern Areas (1972-73, p.75).

Prepared by: Debra Rosser