Warminda Hostel

Warminda was established in 1968 by the Methodist Homes for Children as a hostel for working Aboriginal girls, under agreement with the Department of Native Welfare, although the modern red-brick East Victoria Park building had been constructed earlier in 1960.

 

In 1972, ownership of the hostel was transferred to the Department for Community Welfare, with the Methodist Homes for Children continuing to run it until 1977. Both boys and girls aged between 5-16 years old began residing at the hostel from 1975, with the average stay being of just over one year, although short term placements were facilitated where necessary. Most of the children, if not all, were Wards of the State.

 

The hostel was recorded as having a swimming pool and basketball court in 1975, with the house having one single bedroom and three bedrooms that could be shared by more than three children.

 

With the creation of the Uniting Church in 1977, their Uniting Church Child and Family Care Services would continue to run the hostel until 1984.  It was then taken under control of the Department for Community Welfare (then the Department of Justice in 1993) as a community support hostel, particularly for children who were unable to return home or as an alternative to those who’d been arrested or would otherwise be remanded in custody.