Riverbank Detention Centre, Caversham
130 Hamersley Road
Caversham
WA
Australia
Provider:
Year Opened: 1960
Year Closed: 1997
Other Names:
Riverbank Maximum Security Centre and Riverbank Prison.
Pyrton, Riverbank Reformatory for Boys
Riverbank Secure Treatment Centre for Boys
“The place tangibly shows the development and implementation of child welfare practices by the Western Australian Government, particularly in the secure care and treatment of [13- to 18-year-old] male offenders from 1960 to 1997. The place is significant to the many male offenders and staff who stayed there during its time of operation as a secure facility for teenagers from 1960 to 1997 and for vulnerable adults from 1998 to c.2001. One of these juvenile offenders was the future lead singer of AC/DC, Bon Scott (1946–80). The buildings are a representative example of utilitarian architectural design by the Public Works Department of Western Australia in the 1960s, exhibiting some elements of the Post War International Style. The series of decorative wrought iron security door and window grilles that are located strategically throughout the complex exhibit aesthetic design qualities that are in contrast with the overall utilitarian nature of the site. The place was one of the earliest ‘ribbon’ land grants to be issued in the Swan district and was developed by the prominent Hamersley family who owned the land from 1837 to c.1940s, as a large agricultural landholding known as ‘Pyrton’. The setting on the north-western banks of the Swan River provides a tranquil rural environment that includes cultural landscape elements that date from the earliest period of settlement of the Swan Valley in the early to [mid-nineteenth] century. The place has potential to yield important information through archaeological investigation of the former use and development of the site from the 1830s to the 1950s; and The cabin/cell accommodation at Riverbank Detention Centre (fmr) Caversham is a rare extant example of this form of accommodation used for juveniles at this period.” (State Heritage WA, inHerit: Our Heritage Places, Place Number 18404).
CLAN Homes – Orphanages Gallery
There are currently no images of historical items available for CLAN members to view for this Home. If you have any historical items and would like to donate them, please contact CLAN.
CLAN Museum Gallery
There are currently no images of historical items available for CLAN members to view for this Home. If you have any historical items and would like to donate them, please contact CLAN.
CLAN library books where this Home is mentioned include:
There are currently no other Library Items available for CLAN members to view for this Home. If you have any Library Items and would like to donate them, please contact CLAN.