Signposts
Salvation Army Girls’ Home (Kia-Ora), Cottesloe Beach
Years of Operation1918 - 1969
Role Of FacilityResidential care of girls between the ages of three and sixteen years, including private admissions as well as Wards of the state.
Sponsoring AgencySalvation Army
Other facilities in
Signposts that are
related to the
Sponsoring Agency
See the entry “Salvation Army” in the earlier section of Signposts, “Non-Government Agencies and their Subsidiary Institutions”
Address(es)Cottesloe
AliasesKia-Ora
Brief HistoryEstablished in 1918 and officially opened on 1 September 1919 by then Chief of Staff of the Salvation Army, Commissioner TH Howard. There has been some speculation that Cottesloe House was originally the home of CY O’Connor, but Salvation Army historians have confirmed this is not the case.

In June, 1921, an adjoining house, “Byanda”, which fronted onto Avonmore Terrace, was purchased and furnished to accommodate a further 36 children.

Relocated to Kellerberrin in 1942, then returned to Cottesloe in 1944.

During the 1950s, under the auspices of Major Iris Walters as Matron, Garden Fetes were held to help finance the many renovations and improvements to the facility.

Byanda ceased to accommodate children in 1962, but was retained as staff quarters until the 1968-69 year.

Cottesloe House was sold on 21 December 1969.

As Hollywood Children’s Village opened in 1969, it is likely that any girls resident at that time were transferred to the Nedlands campus.

A limited chronology of the major events at Kia - Ora, including admissions and discharges, is included in Table 46.
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, including some files from the years 1920-1950.

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 may reside with the Department for Child Protection.

The Library and Information Service of Western Australia has a range of material relating to the Salvation Army in Western Australia, including some histories of individual residential facilities.
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 Museum:
The Salvation Army Historical Society,
333 William Street, Northbridge WA 6003
Telephone: (08) 9227 7010
Facsimilie: (08) 9227 7134

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

For people wishing to access information about the Salvation Army and particular residential facilities:
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 Library at time of publication are:
Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm; Friday 9am-5:30pm;
Saturday/Sunday 10am-5:30pm
back
Signposts