| Myera House, Subiaco |
| Years of Operation | From around 1973 and ongoing in 2010 |
| Sponsoring Agency | Departmental - predessor to the current Department for Child Protection |
| Address(es) | 17 Kershaw Street, Subiaco |
| Brief History | 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.
During the mid-1980’s Myera closed for an unknown period of time, but it was re-opened in 1987 in response to an increased demand for “country senior students requiring accommodation in Perth.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Services, 1987).
“Aboriginal students from remote country areas may have the opportunity to obtain primary or secondary education at metropolitan or regional schools. This enables them to obtain a level of education not otherwise available. Some of these students board out at aboriginal educational hostels. They live as close to their own communities as practical, and return to their community at the end of term. In the metropolitan areas numbers are limited to approximately ten to twelve secondary students per hostel, with no primary aged students. Care in aboriginal educational hostels is provided by couples who live-in fulltime. In the metropolitan area the married couple receive an honorarium and the hostel father maintains outside employment.” (Submission of the Department for Community Services to the Residential Planning Review Taskforce, March 31st 1987).
It was deemed necessary to continue to provide hostel services in Perth as there was “still a demand from country Aboriginal students at the senior secondary school level to find accommodation in Perth.” The emphasis in the Perth hostels was on “assisting students to reach their academic potential. They are helped to move on to tertiary courses and independent living situations. Six of these seven facilities are staff with Aboriginal house parents. Close contact with students’ parents enables them to be involved in decision making regarding choice of schools and hostels. A major issue is still that of student adjustment from country to urban school and living situations.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Services, June 30th 1988).
In 1994, the facility purchased two Bronco Mountain Bikes. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Development, 1994).
At 1 October 1994, there were no residents at Myera; total admissions during that year had numbered 7 boys aged 15-18+ years; and the length of stay ranged from 1-4 weeks to 3- 6 months. (OHAC Cost Project, Department for Community Services, June 1995).
In 2004, the facility was part of the Aboriginal Student Accommodation Service program run by the Department. |
| Records | Departmental records for children placed by the Department may exist.
Additionally, the Department for Child Protection's Aboriginal Index and the guide, “Looking West”, 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) 6414 3344
Country free call: 1800 176 888
Email: foi@communities.wa.gov.au
Website: www.communities.wa.gov.au |
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