Archives



Cann Cottage

Cann Cottage was created by the Adelaide Central Methodist Mission in 1957 when Cann Home, part of the Methodist Children’s Homes at Magill, was divided into two Cottages. The other half of the building was named I’Anson Cottage. Each cottage accommodated approximately 12 children with a Housemother or Cottage Parents. Cann Cottage continued to operate…

Case cards, alphabetical by surname – Women Police Branch, South Australian Police Department

This series of Case Cards comprises a record of cases dealt with by the Women Police Branch. The date range of the cards runs from 1940 to 1974. Access Conditions A Research Centre Members card, obtainable at the Archives, is required to research records held at State Records. Although some very early records relating to…

Observation Log – Seaforth Home

This series contains the Observation Log of Seaforth Home for 1968 to 1973, which is titled “Wet Bed Book”. Access Conditions A Research Centre Members card, obtainable at the Archives, is required to research records held at State Records. Although some very early records relating to children in care in South Australia are open for…

St Joseph’s Sanatorium, Largs Bay

St Joseph’s Sanatorium opened in Largs Bay in 1903. Run by the Sisters of St Joseph, it operated as a rest home for women and children. In 1906 it moved to a larger premises in the same suburb and cared for children from infancy to school age. In 1907, the Home changed its name to…

Babies’ Hospital, St Peters

The Babies’ Hospital at St Peters was established in 1915 by the Babies’ Hospital Association. It took over the role of caring for sick infants under the age of two from Quambi Nursing Home in North Adelaide. In 1917 the Hospital moved to new premises in Woodville and became known as the Mareeba Babies’ Hospital….

Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry, South Australia

The Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry began in November 2004 under the terms of The Commission of Inquiry (Children in State Care) Act 2004. It produced its final report in March 2008. The terms of reference of the Inquiry were to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of children in State care and allegations…

Maintenance Act Amendment Act 1965, South Australia

The Maintenance Act Amendment Act 1965 (Act No. 54/1965) further amended the Maintenance Act 1926. Its full title was ‘An Act to amend the Maintenance Act, 1926-1963, and certain other Acts; to repeal the Children’s Institutions Subsidies Act, 1961, and to make other provision in lieu thereof, and for other purposes’. It was passed on…

Inquiry into Delinquent and other children in the care of the State, State of South Australia

The Inquiry into Delinquent and other children in the care of the State began in June 1938. It was established primarily to examine the way in which the government was dealing with children who had committed offences or had ‘behavioural problems’. In this era these children were referred to as ‘delinquent’ children. The final report…

Way Commission, Province of South Australia

The Way Commission was an inquiry into the affairs of the Destitute Board which ran from 1883 to 1885. Officially known as the Royal Commission to Report on the Destitute Act 1881, it was commonly referred to as the Way Commission after Chief Justice Samuel Way who led the Inquiry. The Inquiry was sparked by…

McBride Hospital

McBride Hospital was the new name given to the Salvation Army run McBride Maternity Hospital in 1975. Situated in Medindie it ceased to operate as a maternity hospital in 1978 and became a convalescent hospital with a small hostel for single mothers and their babies. The hostel ceased operating in 1983 and the convalescent hospital…