| Wandering (St Xavier) Mission |
| Years of Operation | 1944 – 1977 |
| Role Of Facility | Residential care of boys and girls aged 4 to 15 years. |
| Sponsoring Agency | The Catholic Archdiocese of Perth / Pallottines / Centrecare and Djooraminda. |
| Address(es) | Wandering |
| Aliases | St Francis Xavier Mission, Wandering; St Xavier Native Mission; St Francis Xavier Community Centre |
| Brief History | “A Piece of the Story”, the National Directory of Records of Catholic Organisations Caring for Children Separated from Families ( www.catholicsocialservices.org.au/storage/A%20Piece%20of%20the%20Story.pdf ) records that Wandering was operated by the Archdiocese of Perth and staffed by the Pallottine order. For more information about the Pallottines, see entry for Pallottine Centre, Riverton in this document.
Interviews with staff from Djooraminda [see entry] note that Schoenstatt Sisters were also involved at Wandering. Information about the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary can be found at their website, www.schoenstatt.org.au
In a survey conducted in 1971, St Francis Xavier Mission was described as accommodating “75 children attending Wandering Primary School and Boddington Junior High School.” Wilson and Robinson (1971) Aboriginal Hostels in Perth: A Comparative Survey.
A limited chronology of some admissions and discharges at Wandering Mission is included in Table 61. |
| Records | “A Piece of the Story” reports that “no records are known to have survived” but that the Archivist should be contacted for further information.
Djooraminda or the Pallottines [see entries] may also be able to provide some information.
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 and the guide, “Looking West”, should be consulted for information.
According to the The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website www.aiatsis.gov.au , the State Records Office in Western Australia “holds extensive records relating to missions.” Contact details are below. |
| Access | While access to records is restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, people are encouraged to enquire. |
| Contact Details | The Archivist, Catholic Church Office,
Victoria Square, Perth WA 6000.
Telephone: (08) 9325 9177 Facsimile: (08) 9921 1716.
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
The Archivist, Pallottines Centre
60 Fifth Ave, Rossmoyne WA 6148
Telephone: (08) 9354 0208
Facsimile: (08) 9457 0344
Email: archives@pallottine.org.au
Web: www.pallottine.org.au
The Director, Djooraminda
36 Arbon Way, Lockridge WA 6054
PO Box 94, Beechboro WA 6935
Telephone: (08) 9378 2522 Facsimile: (08) 9378 1113
Email: enquiries@centrecare.com.au
Web: www.centrecare.com.au
For general information relating to missions:
State Records Office, Alexander Library Building
James St West Entrance
Perth WA 6000.
Search Centre: GroundFloor Mon-Fri:9.30am-4.30pm
Telephone: (08) 9427 3360
Facsimile: (08) 9427 3368
Email: sro@sro.wa.gov.au |
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