Hillside boys' Home history in brief
In 1959 Hillside opened with an initial pilot intake of 30 school-age boys who had been disadvantaged by disability or neglect.
Hillside occupied a large, single-storey private residence on 10 acres in Jells Road, Wheelers Hill, that looked towards the Dandenong Ranges. The grounds housed a primary school staffed by Education Department teachers.
Numbers varied from 30 to 40, mainly ranging in age from 10 to 16 years, with exceptions as young as six years, or as old as 17 years.
By 1966, admissions to Hillside were predominantly from Turana, Allambie and family group homes, almost exclusively boys with complex needs.
Hillside was closed in 1984–85.
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 & .
Sources
- Guide to out-of-home care services 1940–2000: volume one – agency descriptions, compiled by James Jenkinson Consulting, North Melbourne, November 2001.
Hillside Boys' Home
Reviewed 10 August 2016