| Oolanyah Hostel, Marble Bar |
| Years of Operation | Operating from before 1971. Closed prior to 1994. |
| Role Of Facility | Residential child care for school children in a hostel setting. |
| Sponsoring Agency | Departmental - predessor to the current Department for Child Protection. |
| Address(es) | Marble Bar (situated approximately 1,470 kilometres north of Perth). |
| Brief History | When surveyed in 1971, it was noted that Oolanyah was owned and managed by the Department of Native Welfare and was for ‘educational purposes’. It accommodated 36 primary school children. (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.
In 1979, the hostel catered for 30 children from Boodarie, Pippingarra and Indee Stations; the Spare Hill Tin Mine; and the Roebourne, Port Hedland, Nullagine and Pilgangara areas. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1979).
In 1982, responsibility for the country hostels transferred to the Field Services section of the Department. Oolanyah was administered by the Pilbara Division. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1982).
During 1987, the “practices of accepting only senior students, and staffing hostels with Aboriginal staff were introduced” and “eight of the twelve country hostels [were] now managed by Aboriginal personnel.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Services, June 30th 1987). |
| Records | Departmental 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’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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