| Karingal |
| Years of Operation | 1966 – 1988 or 1989, when the residential program ceased. The facility was transferred to the Ministry of Justice in 1993.
The Churches of Christ Christian Welfare Centre purchased the property in April 1966 and sold the building to the Child Welfare Department in 1974. |
| Role Of Facility | Karingal has had various roles, starting as a family home for 10 high school girls who were Wards of the Department - a cooperative venture between the Churches of Christ Christian Welfare Centre and the Child Welfare Department.
In a later role as an annexe of Nyandi (a ‘secure’ institution), Karingal operated as a “six-bed hostel catering for younger girls and specialising in “maintaining girls in normal schools. This is achieved by close liaison with school teachers and guidance officers regarding school attendance and school behaviour.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1977).
By 1990, Karingal was providing intensive support to youth at risk. |
| Sponsoring Agency | Churches of Christ Christian Welfare Centre / Departmental - predessors to the current Department for Child Protection |
| Address(es) | 447 Canning Highway, Melville |
| Brief History | “Purchased and furnished by the Churches of Christ [Christian Welare Centre], who found the staff for it.” (Annual Report of the Department for Child Welfare, 1966).
Noted in 1973 as a departmental Education and Employment Hostel. Education and employment hostels were operated by or in association with the Native Welfare Department mostly from the mid to late 1960s and early 1970s but came under the administration of the Community Welfare Department from 1972. For notes on a general history of these facilities, see the section on Hostels at the beginning of Signposts.
“Nyandi’s commitment to treatment in the community has been consolidated with the opening of Karingal [as an annexe of Nyandi], December 1976.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1977).
The average length of stay for girls at Karingal in 1981 was two to three months. “Since coming under Nyandi’s supervision in 1976, Karingal has operated on a resident Manager/Manageress system with support staff. During the year, however, this system was changed to a system of Group Workers working regular shifts.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1981).
The WELSTAT (welfare statistics) Collection of 1979 notes “Karringal” 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.”) operated by the Department.
In 1984, the Annual Report indicated that, although Karingal could “cater for up to eight girls”, it was desirable to have up to only three girls resident at any one time “given the difficulty of the girls involved.” The “two main tasks” of Karingal were to “provide an environment where girls will stay despite previous histories of running away…[and to] bring the girl’s behaviour within socially acceptable limits to allow her to be moved back to parents or to foster/boarding placements.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1984).
In 1986, the program at Karingal had been reviewed and a new pilot program, called the Karingal Unit program, was established: “The Karingal Unit offers intensive practical support to youth in the community who are at serious physical and emotional risk because of behaviours harmful to themselves and others. The Unit’s resources consist of experienced staff who are able to work flexible hours and spend the time needed to gain the trust and confidence of the usually difficult, damaged and rebellious youth. Typical problems are referral over drug and alcohol abuse, parent/child conflict, and minor offences such as stealing, drug overdosing and street living.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Servicese, 1987).
In 1989 it was reported that the “old Karingal hostel has been redeveloped as a meeting and activity centre for Regional groups.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Services, June 30th 1989).
A more detailed chronology of major events, admissions and discharges is included in Table 19. |
| Records | Departmental records for children placed by the Department of Community Welfare or the Department of Native Welfare may exist.
Additionally, the Department for Child Protection’s Aboriginal Index should be consulted for information. |
| Access | While access to records is restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, people are encouraged to enquire. |
| Contact Details | 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 |
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