| Withnell House |
| Years of Operation | It would appear that Withnell House was used for various purposes by the Salvation Army at different times of its operation. While the facility seems to have been generally used for boys, there is some evidence of a placement service for girls and young children under 6 years of age in the late 1960’s.
The first Departmental record of Withnell House that could be discovered for this project dates from 1953.
Withnell House was succeeded by Mirrabooka House in 1987 [see separate entry for Mirrabooka House in Signposts].
No longer a child care facility, Withnell House is now called “Tanderra” and operates as a home for men in need. |
| Role Of Facility | Accommodation for Wards and migrant boys in employment in the city.
“Although the Salvation Army gives preference to boys from its own institutions, sympathetic consideration is always given to any requests for accommodation made by the Department.” Annual Report of the Child Welfare Department, 1953
In 1969 and 1970, Withnell House Girls’ Home was licensed to care for 8 children aged less than six years.
In 1984, Withnell House was used by up to 8 youth who were in transition to independent living, being either in employment or education. |
| Sponsoring Agency | Salvation Army. |
Other facilities in
Signposts that are
related to the
Sponsoring Agency | See the entry “Salvation Army” in the earlier section of Signposts, “Non-Government Agencies and their Subsidiary Institutions” |
| Address(es) | 68 Guildford Road, Mt Lawley |
| Brief History | Residential care provided by the Salvation Army.
The earliest detailed comment provided in Departmental records relates to Withnell House as a youth placement in 1984: “An innovative staffing model has been tested at Withnell House during this year. This recognises the continuing need young adults have for nurturance and the provision of a houseparent couple responds to this more independence and assistance to begin moving out into the community – socially, for employment and eventually for accommodation are additional care needs of this group. A rostered staff arrangement single child care workers to support houseparents in these auxillary roles.” (Report on the Activities of the Consultative Committee in 1983/84, Consultative Committee on Residential Child Care, November 1984).
In 1985, the age limit for admission to Withnell House had been raised to 15 years for those youth who were considered “mature enough to cope in this context” of moving towards independent living. “The maximum number of children is eight at any one time, and at present the cottage staffing structure is a cottage parent supported by two youth workers. The agency has a priority to develop a programme for the youth ready to leave Withnell House…Although extensive support roles currently operate in relation to employment, recreation and social linkage, these are undertaken by the youth workers.” (Report on the Activities of the Consultative Committee in 1984/85, Consultative Committee on Residential Child Care November 1985).
In 1986, due to the “age and condition of the Withnell House facility”, representations were made to Homeswest who provided a block of land in Mirrabooka on which the Salvation Army could build a new home for youth. (Report on the Activities of the Consultative Committee in 1985/86, Consultative Committee on Residential Child Care October 1986).
1987 saw the youth services programs at Withnell House move to Mirrabooka House. |
| Records | The Heritage Museum at the Salvation Army’s Divisional Headquarters has a range of information about Army practices and facilities and holds some photographs and various other pieces of information, including some files from the years 1970-72.
In its Melbourne office, the Salvation Army has a searchable database of “The War Cry” for the years 1889-1896; 1896-1907; and 1910 forward. The War Cry edition for the Southern Territories includes information about Western Australia.
Departmental case records for young people placed in Salvation Army programs by the Department may reside with the Department of Communities. |
| Access | While access to records is restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, people are encouraged to enquire. |
| Contact Details | Departmental Records:
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
Salvation Army Museum:
The Salvation Army Historical Society,
333 William Street, Northbridge WA 6003
Telephone: (08) 9227 7010
Facsimilie: (08) 9227 7134
Salvation Army Records:
The Salvation Army
Territorial Headquarters, Southern Territory
(95 Railway Road, Blackburn)
PO Box 479, Blackburn VIC 3130
Web: www.salvationarmy.org.au
For people wishing to access information about the Salvation Army and particular residential facilities:
The State Library of Western Australia,
Alexander Library Building, State Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000.
Telephone: (08) 9427 3111 (local) or 1800 198 107 (WA country callers)
Facsimilie: (08) 9427 3256 Email: info@liswa.wa.gov.au
Opening hours for the Library at time of publication are:
Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm; Friday 9am-5:30pm;
Saturday/Sunday 10am-5:30pm |
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