Signposts
Kyewong Hostel (Youth Equip), Como
Years of Operation1969 (may have opened in 1970) - remains open in 2010 as Youth Equip Services
Role Of FacilityInitially, a hostel for working girls from Indigenous backgrounds.
Residential child care for school children in a hostel setting.
Sponsoring AgencyDepartmental - predessor to the current Department for Child Protection and Family Support / Baptist Aborigines Mission, under the auspices of the Baptist Union
Other facilities in
Signposts that are
related to the
Sponsoring Agency
See the entry “Baptist Union” in the earlier section of Signposts, “Non-Government Agencies and their Subsidiary Institutions”
Address(es)152 Roberts Street, Como
AliasesKyewong Education and Employment Hostel
Brief HistoryKyewong commenced operations as a hostel following the injection of funds for such accommodation that arose from the Constitutional amendments of 1967. Wilson and Robinson (1971) Aboriginal Hostels in Perth: A Comparative Survey.

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.

“Kyewong Hostel for working girls was originally intended as a working Boys’ hostel…The Baptist Church approached the Department [of Native Welfare] in 1969 to request a working girls hostel in Perth to be managed along similar lines to Katukutu [see entry]. Once again, continuity was stressed – the Church felt that it should continue to provide opportunities for ex-Marribank [see entry] residents in Perth, and there was a need for a girls’ centre. It was seen as ‘…the next natural step’. Kyewong was transferred to the Baptist Union in 1970, and managed by…a young ex-teacher family from Collie.” Wilson and Robinson (1971) Aboriginal Hostels in Perth: A Comparative Survey

In 1975, Kyewong provided short term care for girls who were Wards of the Department in a hostel-like setting. Kyewong had a garden and play area; 4 bedrooms – 2 doubles and 2 which could sleep three or more girls; a dining room; 2 bathrooms and 2 toilets; a pool or table tennis table; TV, piano; radio or radiogram, and magazines were available. Girls took their lunch to school, to which they caught a bus. The average length of stay was around 9 months. Recreational activities included sporting clubs and social activities. The building was described as being of brick construction and integrated in the community. (Department of Child Welfare Submission to the Committee of Enquiry into Residential Child Care, July 1976).

The WELSTAT (welfare statistics) Collection of 1979 notes Kyewong Hostel 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.

On May 11th, 1983 the Walcott system was modified to include five hostels: Stuart House, Tudor Lodge both in Mt Lawley, Kyewong Hostel (Como), Warralea Hostel (Yokine), Medina Hostel and Andrew House and Cawley House (on the Walcott campus in Lord/Walcott Streets). “While each hostel operates the same behaviour management and social skills programme, they function as independent of each other as possible. The staff model operating in each hostel with the exception of Medina is one Senior Groupworker and four Groupworkers providing one person each shift” “The Walcott School has continued its existence for those children not able to be placed in the normal Education Department stream at the time of admission. Its role therefore continues to be one of re-establishing more appropriate classroom behaviours. If children can either continue at their existing school or if appropriate, attend a local school to their particular hostel, they would do so.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1983).

Continuing the developments even further, Kyewong became one of a new breed of services in the 1980s. In May 1983, Kyewong became “attached to” the Walcott Centre. In September 1983, Bridgewater amalgamated with the Walcott System to form a new system of residential care and community support. In January 1984, the new system was named the Community Support Hostels, and Bridgewater became its Administration Centre. The Community Support Hostels comprised Darlington Cottage, Oceanview, Stuart House, Tudor Lodge, Warralea Hostel, Kyewong Hostel, Medina Hostel, Warminda and the Bedford Park Hostel [see individual entries]. The role of the Community Support Hostels was to “provide skilled care for children for whom a more normal setting, such as an emergency foster home, is not available.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1984).

By 1985, the Annual Report indicated there were seven Community Support Hostels in the Perth metropolitan area, and their individual roles and goals were “varied, complex and often quite different in nature.” However, the “basic aim” of the Community Support Hostel system was to “identify and understand problems being experienced [by the children admitted to them], then to provide support and direction towards re-establishing routine involvement in community activities.” At the same time, the hostel staff emphasised “behavioural stabilisation and training to increase the chances of success in activities involvement and subsequent placements.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Services, 1985).

In its Submission to the Residential Planning Review Taskforce in 1987, the Department described the operation of the Community Support Hostels: “The Department’s seven Community Support Hostels are all metropolitan-based, providing accommodation at each hostel for up to 8 children, of ages 6 to 17 years. Caregivers work rotating shifts; they do not live-in. At least one officer is on duty at all hours with additional staff member at busy times. Community Support Hostels provide short term accommodation for children whose behaviour and family situation is such that they are unable to remain in their usual residential setting for the present.” (Submission of the Department for Community Services to the Residential Planning Review Taskforce, March 31st 1987.)

In 1987, it was also reported that “children on arrest or remand who cannot return home” were also admitted to Community Support Hostels. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Services, 1987).

By 1994, Kyewong was one of the McCall Community Support Units, providing accommodation and support to 11-17 year olds for periods from two weeks to 12 months. (Out of Home, Preventative and Alternative Care Services Review, “Terms of Reference”, Family and Children’s Services, 1995).

The purchase of a petty cash tin, bus passes, keys and movie tickets were noted in the Annual Report of 1994. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Development, 1994).

In 2003, it was reported that a “purpose built residential unit is now operational, built on the previous Kyewong site in Como, and a community reference group was formed bringing together neighbours, Western Australian Police Service, local Council and the Department in a collaborative manner.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Development, 2003).

The Baptist Union has its own entry in Signposts, and this should be consulted as it gives more information about the approach taken.
RecordsDepartmental records for children placed by the Department of Community Welfare or the Department of Native Welfare may exist. Of particular interest, if able to be located, are the Department of Native Welfare “Resident Details Information Sheet (1) Hostel and Private Board Placement ” and “Resident Details Information Sheet (2) Hostel and Private Board Placement”.
Additionally, the Department for Child Protection and Family Support’s Aboriginal Index and the guide, “Looking West”, should be consulted for information.
It is unknown whether any records from the Baptist Union’s management period exist.
AccessWhile access to records is restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, people are encouraged to enquire.
Contact DetailsBaptist Union Records:
PO Box 57, Burswood WA 6100
Telephone: (08) 6313 6300
Email: admin@baptistwa.asn.au
Web: www.baptistwa.asn.au

Departmental 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
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