| Weeriana Hostel, Roebourne |
| Years of Operation | Prior to 1971 - remains open in 2010 |
| Role Of Facility | Residential child care for school children in a hostel setting. |
| Sponsoring Agency | Departmental - predessors to the current Department for Child Protection |
| Address(es) | In 1995, the address was recorded as the corner of Harding and Cleaverville Streets, Roebourne. |
| Brief History | When surveyed in 1971, it was noted that Weeriana Hostel was owned and managed by the Department of Native Welfare and was for ‘educational purposes’. It catered for “66 primary and secondary level students”. (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 45 children from Pipingarah, Mardie, Yarraloola and Chirratta Stations; and from the Port Hedland and Wickham areas. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1979).
In 1980, a ten bed cottage with staff quarters was erected at Weeriana. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1980). The youngest children were accommodated in that unit “to provide a family type atmosphere.” Weeriana “concentrated on returning as many local children as possible to their parents by trying to provide additional supports to the parents to enable them to live as a family group.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1981).
In 1982, responsibility for the country hostels transferred to the Field Services section of the Department. Weeriana was administered by the Pilbara Division. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1982).
“Weeriana Hostel continues to provide long-term accommodation for isolated school children and for some town children whose home circumstances prevent them from benefitting from school. Considerable efforts have been made to reduce numbers of the latter group so that wherever possible; responsibility remains with the family.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, 1984).
By 1995, it was reported that the Weeriana Hostel was no longer an education and employment hostel and had “become more closely aligned with the care and protection programme area. These hostels provide short to medium term accommodation primarily for children for whom fostering is not an immediate option.” At this time, Weeriana was “operating as a ten bed cottage” with its “older style dormitory accommodation and facilities” being unoccupied, with the exception of one dormitory which had been converted to a child care centre. Weeriana’s role in providing “short to medium accommodation for both family support and protection needs” was “primarily associated with alcohol abuse and violence within the Roebourne Community.” The reviewing officer reported that “Consultation within the community indicated the service is both valued and respected” and recommended that Weeriana be retained as a ten bed cottage because, “although overall admissions are relatively low Roebourne is a volatile community in which there are few alternative resources. Placement of children with extended family is difficult either through suitability or a consequence of feuding.” 18 children were admitted during 1994 (mostly in the 0-6 age group, but ranging up to 13-15 years) and the facility had one 15 seater bus. (OHAC Cost Project, Department for Community Services, June 1995). |
| 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) 6217 6888
Country free call: 1800 176 888
Email: foi@communities.wa.gov.au
Website: www.communities.wa.gov.au |
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