Swan House history in brief
In 1968, the Victorian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (VSPCC) established Swan House in rented premises in Traralgon, providing temporary care for up to eight pre-school and school-age children from families facing serious problems.
Admissions were for three months, with extensions made if the family’s situation demanded it.
Referrals were only accepted from local shire and city welfare officers, and hospital social workers. In some instances, the police placed children on safe custody orders at Swan House.
Swan House was also available for use as a temporary holding centre for newly admitted wards (awaiting long-term care plans), and for wards likely to be fostered or home released locally to avoid them being sent to Allambie in Melbourne.
Swan House was operated by the VSPCC in Melbourne in conjunction with a local committee. In 1971, the VSPCC received a gift of land and moved Swan House to Sale in a new purpose-built facility for up to 16 children.
The closing date is uncertain, but presumed around 1988.
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 & .
Source
Guide to out-of-home care services 1940–2000: volume one – agency descriptions, compiled by James Jenkinson Consulting, North Melbourne, November 2001.
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 Swan House dates from 1968–81 and includes:
File VH-043:
- request for maintenance grants for new children’s home at Traralgon, pre-school and school aged children, 1968
- file note stating that Swan House may be used as a holding centre for newly admitted wards, or wards awaiting placement by the Department, 1968
- inspection reports, 1969, 1972, 1974
- application for and approval of declaration as an approved children’s home, 60 Princes Street, Traralgon, 1969
- press clippings, 1969, 1974
- application for and approval of declaration as an approved children’s home, 88 Patten Street, Sale, c.1972
- report to department on children’s homes in the Gippsland region, 1974
- annual report, 1974, 1976–77
- report on facility and services, Swan House, Sale, 1974
- report on future of Swan House, 1974
- minutes of meeting, department and various auspices regarding family and children’s services in the Gippsland region, 1974
- correspondence regarding staffing positions, 1979
- admission statistics, 1978
- request for capital subsidy to add a multi-purpose room, 1981
Staffing Priorities Committee, homes and hostels files (1976-83)
File; Temporary
Content: This collection comprises files documenting the recommendations for staffing positions for homes and hostels, correspondence between the Minister of Community Welfare Services and senior officers as well as funding information.
The Staffing Priorities Committee made recommendations to the minister regarding priority of staffing positions required. Individual homes and hostels are listed accompanied by comprehensive material concerning each home, family group home or hostel.
There are also minutes from the approved children's homes and hostels meetings from 1978–80.
The specific file relating to Swan House dates from 1976–79.
Staffing Priorities Committee, homes and hostels correspondence, guidelines for operation and minutes of meetings (1976-80)
File; Unappraised
Content: These records comprise ministerial correspondence, and Staffing Priority Committee minutes and list of members. The Staffing Priorities Committee made recommendations to the minister regarding priority of staffing positions required
Family Welfare Division funding and accounts files (1971-77)
File; Temporary
Content: These accounts and funding files are for individual children’s homes and are used to make allocations. They contain a monthly census giving names and dates of birth to calculate per capita expenses. There are annual reports of homes, income statements, reports on conditions of homes as assessed on visits. The records are arranged in a broad chronological order.
The specific files relating to the Swan House date from 1971–75.
Reviewed 26 August 2016