Harrison House, Hawthorn
50 Power Street
Hawthorn
Melbourne
VIC
Australia
Provider: Presbyterian Church
Year Opened: 1960
Year Closed: 1985
The Home was named after a former Director of Social Services of the Presbyterian Church, Arthur G. Harrison. It was established as Reverend Harrison and his congregation at the West Hawthorn Presbyterian Church were concerned about the needs of boys leaving Kilmany Park in Gippsland and coming to Melbourne to seek employment.
The Regent House Hostel for Girls in Elsternwick was sometimes described as a ‘sister project’ to Harrison House. According to the website of Uniting Care Harrison, a letter from 1971 from the Senior Probation Officer for Victoria to the Director of Probation described Harrison House as a key model for providing residents with a therapeutic approach, rather than just board and lodging. Harrison House was staffed by volunteers until 1978, when the first four paid staff were appointed. That year the Hostel underwent a major refurbishment and it became known as the Harrison House Youth Hostel.
Records
Unfortunately, it would seem that all records relating to residents of Harrison House were destroyed in the past. Its subsequent agency, Harrison Community Services, stated that the past practice was to destroy records relating to statutory clients after seven years. However, all client files created after 2004 will be kept indefinitely.
CLAN Homes – Orphanages Gallery
There are currently no other images available for CLAN members to view for this Home. If you have any images and would like to donate them, please contact CLAN.
CLAN Museum Gallery
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CLAN library books where this Home is mentioned include:
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