| Warramia Group Home, Badgingarra |
| Years of Operation | From 1972 to 1993, then transferred to the Department of Justice. |
| Role Of Facility | A group home situated on the Department’s 4,000 acre farming property at Badgingarra (Departmental officers report that this property had been donated to the Department). The main function of Warramia was to “provide short term residence for children who experience difficulties at home but who, it is hoped, will return to their parents. It can accommodate ten children, who are supervised by a resident Cottage Mother.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1972).
By 1974, Warramia was providing accommodation to eight primary-school age children “who need a relaxed, stabilising experience prior to longer-term placement.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1974).
Warrramia subsequently became a formal annexe of Hillston [see entry], though that arrangement had ceased by 1982. Departmental officers report that Warramia was transferred to the Department of Justice in 1993. |
| Sponsoring Agency | Departmental - predessor to the current Department for Child Protection |
| Address(es) | Badgingarra |
| Brief History | The Annual Report 1974 indicates that boys from Hillston could be placed at Warramia. [See the separate entry for Hillston, Stoneville in Signposts].
Generally two boys were placed there from Hillston at any one time.
The WELSTAT (welfare statistics) Collection of 1979 notes Warramia 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.”).
“Prior to discharge to farm employment selected boys at Hillston gain experience on the Department’s 1 500 hectare property at Badgingarra. Hillston services the property and benefits with supplies of meat and fodder.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1980).
For the first time, in the 1982 Annual Report, Warramia Farm was not mentioned in the Hillston report.
In 1981, the placement of boys there had been identified as a problem in terms of absconding behaviours and subsequent placement from Hillston was not recommended. It would appear that this recommendation was in force by 1982.
In 1989, Warramia Farm provided the venue for a series of “employment and self esteem building” programs for young offenders. “These five-week programmes operated during the normal farming cycle and during the summer holidays. Children, drawn mainly from country areas, were taught farm and personal development skills.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Services, June 30th 1989).
Continues as a farm-based facility, now run by the Department of Justice. |
| Records | Case records for young people placed by the Department may reside with the Department for Child Protection.
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) 6217 6888
Country free call: 1800 176 888
Email: foi@communities.wa.gov.au
Website: www.communities.wa.gov.au |
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