Organisation Ellen Connell Holiday Home (1955 - 1973)

The Ellen Connell Holiday Home (or Holiday Cottage) opened in 1955.

A man named John Connell who died in 1952, left a bequest of more than 250,000 pounds to the Mission of St James and St John. His farm at Healesville, which became known as the Ellen Connell Holiday Cottage, was dedicated by Archbishop Booth on 26 April 1955.

It was used as a holiday home for children, as well to provide short-term 'crisis' accommodation for families in need, such as when a mother is absent from home due to hospitalisation. The home, with its cottage parents, would also care temporarily for the children of women 'deserted' by their husbands and needing respite from caring duties.

In the late 1960s, the Home was used for another purpose, the more-permanent care of children. This new function ended in January 1969 when children were transferred to other Mission Homes and Ellen Connell became a holiday home once again.

The property was finally sold in 1973.

In 1997 the Mission of St James and St John became part of Anglicare Victoria. At this time, records of the Mission were transferred to Anglicare Victoria. These included records of the various orphanages, homes and other residences run by the Mission. The custodian of these records is Anglicare Victoria.

Events

1952

John Connell dies, leaving a large bequest to the Mission of St James and St John, including his farm at Healesville, which will become the Ellen Connell Holiday Home. Location: Healesville

Books

• Cole, Dr Keith, Commissioned To Care: The Golden Jubilee History of The Mission of St. James and St. John 1919-1969, first edn, The Ruskin Press Pty Ltd, North Melbourne, Australia, 1969. Details
• Monk, Joanne; O'Donoghue, Gina, Billylids and 'Home Kids': The Story of The Mission of St James and St John 1919-1994, The Mission of St. James and St. John, Surrey Hills, Victoria, 1994. Details