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.
Source
Departmental records (VPRS 18069/P2, unit 16, File number VH-057-78).
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 relating to the Salem Home for Handicapped Children is dated from 1955–78 and includes:
file VH-057-78:
- annual reports, Christian Service Centre, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976
- invitation, to official opening of Salem Home, 1956
- application and approval for declaration as an approved children’s home, 1956
- inspectors’ and visitors’ reports, 1956-60, 1966, 1969, 1975, 1977–78
- report on a ward of state, 1956, 1960
- request for permission to use anaesthetics, dental treatment and surgical procedures, 1962
- notification of name change, Salem Home for Spastic Children to Salem-Home for Handicapped Children, 1963
- correspondence regarding payments for school books and boarding out payments for wards over 16, 1964
- correspondence regarding a ward of state, 1965
- number of wards, including indigenous wards, at Salem, 1968
- photograph, booklet, I believe in God, 1969.
Reviewed 26 August 2016