Signposts
Cottesloe House, in Hollywood Children’s Village
Years of OperationOperated for an unknown period, closing in 1988
Role Of FacilityResidential care for 9 boys and girls in a home setting.
Other facilities in
Signposts that are
related to the
Sponsoring Agency
See the entry “Salvation Army” in the earlier section of Signposts, “List of Facilities”
Address(es)Hollywood Children’s Village, Karella Street, Nedlands
Brief History10 children in residence at June 30, 1975 (5 Wards and 5 private admissions). At this time, Cottesloe House provided generally longer term care for boys and girls aged 5-17 years, but did take children for shorter periods if necessary. Sibling groups were accommodated. Cottesloe House had a garden, play area, trampoline, swings and slides, barbeque, cricket pitch, cubby house, one pet, bikes and a range of sporting equipment. Children went to church or Sunday school. There were 6 bedrooms – 1 single and 5 doubles; a lounge room; kitchen/dining; 3 bathrooms and 4 toilets; a study, playroom and office; a verandah and 3 staff bedrooms and 1 staff bathroom and toilet; a pool or table tennis table; TV, piano; radio or radiogram, fish tank; library, books and toys were available. Children took their lunch to school, to which they walked. The average length of stay was up to 4 years. Holiday placements were actively sought for the children. Recreational activities included swimming, sporting clubs, cricket, camping trips, picnics and parties and other activities arranged by cottage parents. The building was over 40 years old in 1975 and was described as an ‘old’ residence, of brick construction and fitting in well with surrounding premises. (Department of Child Welfare Submission to the Committee of Enquiry into Residential Child Care, July 1976).
The WELSTAT (welfare statistics) Collection of 1979 notes Cottesloe House as a ‘scattered group home’ (ie. “a family group home whose grounds do not adjoin those of another family group home, or other residential child care establishment, operated by the same enterprise.”) that was operated by an agency other than the Department.
“Caregivers in group homes comprise one couple who live-in, ideally caring for up to eight children. Generally, the husband continues in his existing employment, with the wife paid either an honorarium or wage. Group homes operate on a model where substitute care is provided until changes in the circumstances of the child’s original caregivers permit their return home. In some instances a child may move on to other carers on a more permanent basis (as in adoption) or with older youth to semi-independent accommodation. Group care services provided through the non-government sector fall under the mandate of the Consultative Committee on Residential Child Care, and provide cottage care via salaried child care worker staff. The contemporary trend towards community based group care services for children is resulting in the closure of institutionalized settings and campus-based residential facilities.” (Submission of the Department for Community Services to the Residential Planning Review Taskforce, March 31st 1987).
Closed due to staff shortages in 1988.
In addition to the entries mentioned above, the Salvation Army has its own entry in Signposts, and this should be consulted as it gives more information about the approach taken.
RecordsThe Heritage Museum at the Salvation Army’s Divisional Headquarters has a range of information about Army practices and facilities and holds some photographs and various other pieces of information.
In its Melbourne office, the Salvation Army has a searchable database of “The War Cry” for the years 1889-1896; 1896-1907; and 1910 forward. The War Cry edition for the Southern Territories includes information about Western Australia.
Departmental case records for young people placed in Salvation Army programs by the Department will reside with the Department for Child Protection.
AccessWhile access to records is restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, people are encouraged to enquire.
Contact DetailsDepartmental Records:
Freedom of Information
Department of Communities
Locked Bag 5000, Fremantle WA 6959
Telephone: (08) 6217 6888
Country free call: 1800 176 888
Email: foi@communities.wa.gov.au
Website: www.communities.wa.gov.au

Salvation Army Records:
The Salvation Army
Territorial Headquarters, Southern Territory
(95 Railway Road, Blackburn)
PO Box 479, Blackburn VIC 3130
Web: www.salvationarmy.org.au

Salvation Army Museum:
The Salvation Army Historical Society,
333 William Street, Northbridge WA 6003
Telephone: (08) 9227 7010
Facsimile: (08) 9227 7134

For people wishing to access the Battye Library’s photographic collection:
The State Library of Western Australia,
Alexander Library Building, State Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000.
Telephone: (08) 9427 3111 (local) or 1800 198 107 (WA country callers)
Facsimilie: (08) 9427 3256 Email: info@liswa.wa.gov.au

Opening hours for the Battye Library at time of publication are:
Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm; Friday 9am-5:30pm;
Saturday/Sunday 10am-5:30pm
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