Organisation Alexandra Babies' Home (c. 1909 - 1974)
Former Female Refuge Complex [editor's note: former site of the Alexandra Babies' Home, Scott Parade, Ballarat East]
Details
- From
- c. 1909
Ballarat - To
- 1974
- Functions
- Babies' Home and Care Provider
- Alternative Names
- Alexandra Toddlers' Home (1964 - 1974)
- Categories
Summary
The Alexandra Babies' Home in Ballarat East accommodated boys and girls under 5 years of age. The Home had a capacity of 36 children, and most of the children were state wards. The Home also acted as a 'feeder home' to the Ballarat Orphanage, with children being transferred there once they reached the age of four. The Babies' Home was situated on the same 'complex' as the former Ballarat Female Refuge in Scott Parade, Ballarat. In 1964, the name changed to Alexandra Toddlers' Home. The institution closed in 1974.
Record Holdings
Details
The Alexandra Babies' Home in Ballarat East accommodated boys and girls under 5 years of age. The Home had a capacity of 36 children, and most of the children were state wards. The Home also acted as a 'feeder home' to the Ballarat Orphanage, with children being transferred there once they reached the age of four.
A new single storey building for the Babies' Home at 187 Scott Parade was completed in 1909. Originally, babies were accommodated at the Ballarat Female Refuge at 183 Scott Parade. There is some confusion about the date when the Babies' Home was established as a separate institution from the Refuge. It would seem that both buildings (still extant today) housed babies and toddlers at different times.
At first the Home was run by a committee of management. In 1921 the Ballarat Town and City Mission took over management of the Home.
In 1964, the name changed to Alexandra Toddlers' Home.
The institution closed in 1974.
In 2010, the building was being used as bed and breakfast accommodation known as 'Alexandra House'.
Events
- c. 1909
- The Alexandra Babies' Home is situated at 187 Scott Parade, Ballarat. Location: Ballarat
- 1964 - 1974
- The Alexandra Babies' Home changes its name to the Alexandra Toddlers' Home, and is situated at 183 Scotts Parade, Ballarat. Location: Ballarat
Related Entries
Run By
Published Resources
Reports
- Golding, Frank, Orphanages in Ballarat – brief historical notes (draft), 2009. Details
- James Jenkinson Consulting, Guide to out-of-home care services, 1940-2000, This Guide was originally developed in 2001, and its content revised as a result of DHS's 'Update Project' in 2007-2009, Department of Human Services, Unpublished. Details
Online Resources
- 'Former Female Refuge Complex [Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H1893]', in Victorian Heritage Database, Heritage Victoria, http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/heritage/6065. Details
- Wickham, Dorothy Glennys, 'Beyond the Wall: Ballarat Female Refuge, A Study in Moral Authority', A thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Masters of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University, 2003, http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp42.02112007/02whole.pdf. Details
Gallery
- Title
- Former Female Refuge Complex [editor's note: former site of the Alexandra Babies' Home, Scott Parade, Ballarat East]
- Type
- Image
- Control
- Victorian Heritage Database VHR No H1893
Sources used to compile this entry: 'Former Female Refuge Complex [Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H1893]', in Victorian Heritage Database, Heritage Victoria, http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/heritage/6065; Golding, Frank, Orphanages in Ballarat – brief historical notes (draft), 2009; James Jenkinson Consulting, Guide to out-of-home care services, 1940-2000, This Guide was originally developed in 2001, and its content revised as a result of DHS's 'Update Project' in 2007-2009, Department of Human Services, Unpublished; Wickham, Dorothy Glennys, 'Beyond the Wall: Ballarat Female Refuge, A Study in Moral Authority', A thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Masters of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University, 2003, http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp42.02112007/02whole.pdf.
Prepared by: Cate Elkner
Created: 1 May 2009, Last modified: 9 March 2010