Kardinia Children's Home history in brief
In 1947, the Salvation Army established the Kardinia Children's Home at Belmont, Geelong. It accommodated toddlers aged two to five.
The home closed in 1986.
Around 2003, the property was cleaned out. At the site, people found personal files of children who had been at the home, but unfortunately they did not understand the files’ importance and potential value to the former residents. Regrettably, the files were all destroyed.
Historical material about Kardinia can be found at the Salvation Army Archives and Museum.
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 & .
Source
Guide to out-of-home care services 1940–2000: volume one – agency descriptions, compiled by James Jenkinson Consulting, North Melbourne, November 2001.
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.1985)
File; Permanent VPRS Number 18069 / P0001
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(s) relating to this home are dated 1948–84 and include:
- lists of children and staff,1977–81
- various reports including inspector’s reports, 1949–84
- applications for funds, registration of units, 1958–83
- staffing matters, 1948–84
- correspondence including medical, accommodation, and policy matters, 1957–83.
Staffing Priorities Committee, homes and hostels files (1976-83)
File; Temporary
Content: This collection comprises files documenting the recommendations for staffing positions for homes and hostels, correspondence between the Minister of Community Welfare Services and senior officers as well as funding information.
The Staffing Priorities Committee made recommendations to the minister regarding priority of staffing positions required. Individual home and hostels are listed, accompanied by comprehensive material concerning each home, family group home or hostel. There are also minutes from the approved children's homes and hostels meetings from 1978–1980.
The specific file relating to Kardinia Children’s Home dates from 1977–78.
Staffing Priorities Committee, homes and hostels, correspondence, guidelines for operation and minutes of meetings (1976-80)
File; Permanent (Unappraised)
Content: The material includes ministerial correspondence, and Staffing Priority Committee minutes and list of members. The Staffing Priorities Committee made recommendations to the minister regarding priority of staffing positions required.
Reviewed 26 August 2016