Turana Boys’ Home, Parkville
Location
Parkville
VIC Australia
Provider
Date Opened
Date Closed
Turana Boys’ Home
900 Park Drive, Royal Park
Parkville
VIC
Australia
Provider: Victorian Government
Year Opened: 1952
Year Closed: 1993
Also known as Turana Youth Training Centre, Royal Park Depot, Turana Reception Centre (1955–1968) and Turana Juvenile School (1957–1962)
The different sections of Turana Boys’ Home were:
- Billabong, originally called Coolabah
- Poplar Cottage
- Quamby House
- Waratah House
The Royal Park Depot in Parkville was the sole reception centre for children committed to State Care from 1880–1961. The buildings were renamed Turana in 1952.
From around 1960, the Government established new reception centres, to alleviate overcrowding at Turana. By the 1990s the state was contracting out ‘reception care’ to non-government agencies.
Turana operated as a youth training centre from around 1985.
The Melbourne Youth Justice Centre opened on the site in 1993, and the Parkville Youth Residential Centre opened on the site in 1991.
Does anyone know of Douglas Roy Wilkie, a youth worker at Turana Boys’ Home, Parkville in 1960–1963? If so, can you please ring CLAN on 1800 008 774.
Related News Articles and Sources:
15-year-old sent to Gaol for Assault, 6 April 1966 (Canberra Times)
Sex Abuse Royal Commission to investigate ‘Horrible’ Youth Training Centres where Children were ‘Treated as Numbers’: Interview with CLAN CEO Leonie Sheedy, 22 July 2015 (ABC News)
The Case of Paedophile William Landman shows why Daniel Andrews’s Inquiry won’t ‘go where it needs to go’, 11 September 2023 (ABC News)
Department of Health & Human Services, Victoria, Turana (1955–93)
Public Research Office Victoria, Turana Youth Training Centre, ARDC Research Data Australia
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.
“Footage and photos of Turana YTC Park St Parkville”
Johns Story
Related Australian Orphanage Museum items:
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.