Agency
Warrawee Reception Centre (known as Ballarat Reception Centre 1961 to 1964)
VA 5106
1961 - 1989
Agency names
Officially known as: Warrawee Reception Centre (known as Ballarat Reception Centre 1961 to 1964)
In July 1961, under the Children's Welfare Act 1958, the Victorian Government opened the Ballarat Reception Centre at 28 Victoria Street, Ballarat - previously the Ballarat Orphanage Boys Hostel.
In 1964, the Ballarat Reception Centre was renamed Warrawee, an Aboriginal word for 'rest awhile' or 'come here'.
Warrawee Reception Centre accommodated 15 to 18 children aged up to 14 years who were awaiting court hearings on safe custody orders.
Many children admitted by the court to the Family Welfare Division remained at Warrawee until they were placed with private families or to a children's home. Some children returned to the Centre following a breakdown in subsequent arrangements.
Children placed at the centre attended local schools and youth clubs while awaiting the outcome of assessments, family interventions, or placement in children's homes.
In May 1968, it was stated that the Reception Centre was nearly always full. This made it difficult to cope with families of children arriving from time to time without notice from Children's Courts in the surrounding districts. The aim was to separate Regional Office staff from the Centre to allow for more accommodation at the Centre. This occurred in November of that year.
In August 1968, the Director of Family Welfare wrote that he was very concerned at the lack of activities for the children in the Reception Centre. He stated that a long term plan was needed for the Centre.
In December 1971 there were 14 children resident at the Centre. In November 1970 there were 17. The number of children discharged to children's homes averaged 69 for the period 1/7/1966-30/6/1969, and 36 for the period 1/7/1969-30/06/1971.
Warrawee Reception Centre was closed 1989.
In 1964, the Ballarat Reception Centre was renamed Warrawee, an Aboriginal word for 'rest awhile' or 'come here'.
Warrawee Reception Centre accommodated 15 to 18 children aged up to 14 years who were awaiting court hearings on safe custody orders.
Many children admitted by the court to the Family Welfare Division remained at Warrawee until they were placed with private families or to a children's home. Some children returned to the Centre following a breakdown in subsequent arrangements.
Children placed at the centre attended local schools and youth clubs while awaiting the outcome of assessments, family interventions, or placement in children's homes.
In May 1968, it was stated that the Reception Centre was nearly always full. This made it difficult to cope with families of children arriving from time to time without notice from Children's Courts in the surrounding districts. The aim was to separate Regional Office staff from the Centre to allow for more accommodation at the Centre. This occurred in November of that year.
In August 1968, the Director of Family Welfare wrote that he was very concerned at the lack of activities for the children in the Reception Centre. He stated that a long term plan was needed for the Centre.
In December 1971 there were 14 children resident at the Centre. In November 1970 there were 17. The number of children discharged to children's homes averaged 69 for the period 1/7/1966-30/6/1969, and 36 for the period 1/7/1969-30/06/1971.
Warrawee Reception Centre was closed 1989.
Jurisdiction: Victoria
