Omaru Hostel opened in Launceston in 1968. It provided accommodation for about three older boys who had started paid work. The Hostel closed in the mid 1970s. Omaru Hostel was in the same building as the former Omaru Receiving Home. A married couple ran Omaru Hostel in exchange for free accommodation. The boys paid them…
Devonfield Hostel, run by the Retarded Children’s Welfare Association, opened in Devonport in 1965. It was a combined Hostel and school for children with intellectual disabilities. In 2013, Devonfield continues to provide training but is no longer residential. The Social Welfare Department placed wards of state with intellectual disabilities at Devonfield. Margaret Reynolds, the former…
Hillcrest Children’s Home, run by the Christian Brethren, opened in West Hobart in 1966. It was an approved children’s Home that took wards of state and children under the Residential Domestic Assistance Scheme. It closed in 1984. The Chief Secretary, Brian Miller, officially opened Hillcrest Children’s Home on 1 April 1967 before a crowd of…
The Residential Child Care Association of Tasmania was formed for the Managers of approved children’s homes. Section 10 of the 1960 Child Welfare Act provided for the approval of children’s Homes run by voluntary organisations.
The Family Assistance Scheme assisted families in Tasmania undergoing a financial crisis that was serious enough to put the children at risk. Under the scheme, families received grants or loans to meet commitments such as the payment of bonds, arrears in rent, and power bills. It was one of a range of measures used by…
The Preventive Payment Scheme was designed to prevent children going into residential care by making payments to families undergoing a serious financial crisis. The Commonwealth government funded it. In 1979-80, the Tasmanian State government replaced it with a Family Assistance Scheme which operated similarly. Click here to see the full Find & Connect glossary
The Social Policy Planning Unit, located within the Department of Social Welfare and its successors, was established in 1975. It conducted research into policy change and made recommendations to the Director of the Department. The Unit closed in the late 1980s or early 1990s. The Social Policy Planning Unit employed a Unit Supervisor, a clerical…
The Homemaker Service, funded by the Tasmanian government, and located within the Department of Social Welfare, and later, the Department of Community Welfare, began in February 1976. It was modelled on a similar service already in place for Aboriginal families which the Commonwealth government funded. Homemakers worked with families in crisis on a short term…
Kanangra Hostel opened in Mount Stuart in 1975. It was in the same building as the former Kanangra Receiving Home. Kanangra provided accommodation in Hobart to six older boys who had paid employment. It closed around 1985. Kanangra Hostel was in the same building as the former Kanangra Receiving Home. The Hostel was run by…
The New Town Infirmary replaced the New Town Charitable Institution in 1912. Its residents included children detained by the government for various reasons. In 1934, the New Town Infirmary became the New Town Rest Home. The main purpose of the New Town Infirmary was to house people who were aged and infirm. However, as the…
Dec 18, 2024
Nov 15, 2024
