findingrecords.dhhs.vic.gov.au

The Melba Centre (1970s - current)

Summary

  • Auspice: Board of Management
  • Title or Name: The Melba Centre (c.1970s-99)
  • Later Names: Melba Support Services Inc (c.1999 - current)
  • Address: 70 Albert Hill Road, Lilydale

The Melba Centre history in brief

Melba Support Services Inc. (formerly known as the Melba Centre) was established in the early 1970’s by a group of parents who were concerned about the lack of facilities in the local area for their children with disabilities. It also provided a support network for parents. Community members funded the building of a congregate care facility which was used until the late 1990’s.

In 1983, multiple Melba facilities became approved children’s homes and subsequently could accept wards of the state as residents.

Melba Support Services still operates in the Lilydale region with two Adult Training Support Services in Mt. Evelyn, and seven community based homes in the Lilydale, Mooroolbark and Mt. Evelyn areas.

Warning about distressing information

This guide contains information that some people may find distressing. If you experienced abuse as a child or young person in an institution mentioned in this guide, it may be a difficult reading experience. Guides may also contain references to previous views, policies and practices that are regrettable and do not reflect the current views, policies or practices of the department or the State of Victoria. If you find this content distressing, please consult with a support person either from the Department of Health and Human Services or another agency.

Disclaimer

Please note that the content of this administrative history is provided for general information only and does not purport to be comprehensive. The department does not guarantee the accuracy of this administrative history. For more information on the history of child welfare in Australia, see Find & ConnectExternal Link .

Sources

List of records held by the department

For information relating to the central management of care leavers and wards of state, please consult the guide to Central department wardship and out-of-home care records. These collections date back to the 1860s and include ward registers, index cards and ward files.


Voluntary children’s homes files (c.1930-c.85)

File; Permanent (VPRS Number 18069 / P0002)

Content:The files record interaction between the various voluntary homes and the government. This filing system was created in 1975, combining earlier correspondence and other records to create one system with VH prefixes.

The specific file relating to the Melba Centre is dated from 1975–83 and includes:

File VH-108-79:

  • annual report, 1975
  • press clipping and promotional brochure, 1975, 1977
  • promotional brochure, 1977
  • copy of draft constitution, 1975
  • correspondence regarding placement of two wards of state, 1977 correspondence regarding criteria for approving and funding Melba units as approved children’s homes, including names of seven wards resident there, 1978
  • list of wards who had resided at the centre, 1982
  • correspondence regarding transfer of a ward from Allambie to Melba, 1983
  • summary of Melba’s services and list of wards at Rosine Hospital, 1983
  • correspondence regarding per-capita over payments, 1983
  • list of facilities, 1983
  • declaration of multiple Melba facilities as approved children’s homes: EW Tipping family group home, 70 Albert Hill Road, Lilydale; Rosine Hospital (nursing home), The Crescent, Mt Evelyn; Harvey Unit, (nursing home) Rosine Hospital Campus, Roland Avenue, Mount Evelyn, 1983
  • correspondence regarding cuts in government expenditure, 1983.

Accommodation and support files, Eastern Metropolitan Region (1979-97)

File; Temporary

Content: This collection comprises a varied and mixed assortment of files collected or maintained in the eastern metropolitan regional office of the Department of Health and Community Services and its associated agencies. It includes files that specifically relate to the Melba Centre.

Reviewed 24 April 2019