I have been thinking about and researching the lives of children who were not part of a family, lived in a house in a street in Subiaco and went to the newly opened State School in the early years of the colony and Subiaco. In the early 1900's there were both State and church run institutions established in Subiaco to take care of children.
One of those institutions was St. Joseph's Girls' Orphanage (1901 - 1971) run by the Catholic Church and the Sisters or Mercy for girls up to the age of 16. The children were admitted by government authorities or private admissions who were orphans or whose families could not take care of them.
A comprehensive history can be found at the 'Find and Connect' Government run webpage, which provides history and information about Australian orphanages, children's homes and other institutions, photos plus information about gaining access to records for those interested.
There are some interesting newspaper articles on Trove, the database from the National Library of Australia that provide an insight into these State and church run institutions during the late 1800's and early 1900's. The annual reports of the institutions were regularly inspected not just by a government appointed official but also journalists from newspapers, and the results published in the local newspapers often with some photographs for anyone interested.
The reports identify how many children were in each institution, their ages and whether or not the children had parents dead or alive. They discuss the health, conduct and discipline, physical activity, education, improvements to the buildings and some comments about how the children who had been discharged were doing. The report also stated how much funding each institution received.
Of particular interest in the article copied below was the education of the girls. The girls were taught domestic work Including cooking, baking, laundry work, plain needlework, crochet and dressmaking and were destined for domestic work or homemaker. However, in the report copied below also states that during the state examinations some of the girls had performed well in arithmetic or mathematics and other academic subjects.
Noticeably absent in the reports is the participation of the children in concerts and outings which were reported in the local papers. Also of interest was the use of rewards in particular money for good behaviour and I gather although not mentioned a range of punishments.
The reports do not contain any knowledge of what was important to the children at the time. The Inspector makes an interesting comment about the wants and needs of the children. "From my experience of this school nothing is wanting on the part of the Sisters to render life of the inmates as happy as possible to be."
These thoughts, though limited can be found on the children's page of the Catholic newspaper, the W.A. Recorder coordinated by Aunt Nora. The Find and Connect webpage provides a detailed history and photographs of St. Joseph's Girls' Orphanage (1868 - 1901) and how those interested can access records.
Although not part of the scope of this post are some of the negative experiences of the children who were residents there in the later years. "In evidence to the Inquiry into Children in Institutional Care, latter known as the 'Forgotten Australians' a woman described deprivations at St. Joseph's that left a deep impression on her. 'We were never allowed to keep the presents as the nuns would use to take them off us when we got back to the orphanage and would sell them at fetes'. (Find and Connect webpage). A newspaper article titled 'Sisters of Mercy child abuse victims continue the fight for redress' by Claire Moodie published in 2019 on the ABC news also described some of the abuse suffered by residents of the orphanage in later years and their fight for acknowledgment and compensation.
Our Catholic Orphanages And Industrial Schools
Interesting Report by Mr Longmore Inspector of Public Charities 21 May 1904
St. Joseph's Girls' Orphanage.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Girls' Orphanage Industrial School, Subiaco (Established 1868). - Manager : - The Right Reverend Bishop Gibney, D.D. Superintendent: Sister M. Benedict. Admission and discharged : Number of girls on roll December 31, 1902, 76 ; admitted during 1903, 30; total 106. Left during 1903 to situations, 2 ; to friends, 7; transferred to private list, 7 ; remaining parents dead, 13 ; father alive, 20 ; mother alive, 29 ; both parents alive, 28; total 90.
Ages : Under 6, 6 ; 6 to 9, 18 ; 9 to 12, 40 ; 14 to 24, 24 ; above 14, 2 ; total 90.
Health : Very good throughout the year : a few cases of sore eyes, but nothing serious.
Conduct and discipline : The conduct at the school is, and has always been, very satisfactory indeed. Two girls at all times are very anxious to please. The mark system is strictly adhered to. Although it does not carry a regular monetary allowance it's grants marks to gain certain privileges, and in various specially, deserving cases small amounts of money.
Recreation : The children had numerous outings, including picnics and visits to Perth. From my experience of this school nothing is wanting on the part of the Sisters to render life of the inmates as happy as possible to be.
Physical drill is carefully taught. Improvements and additions to the buildings : the buildings are kept in first-class order throughout. There have been no actual additions to the buildings, although various minor improvements have been carried out. A bookcase and additional books have been provided. Industrial work : This Institution continues, as it has always done, to take a leading position among other schools as regards the industrial training provided for it's inmates. The children are taught cooking, baking, laundry work, plain needlework, crochet and dressmaking. They also manufacture olive oil.
Educational State: The education of the children is receding very careful attention. The examination of the school is conducted by the Chief Inspector (Mr Walton), who reports that the results of the examination were excessively credible, and that this was specially so in the subject of arithmetic in which two standards obtained "Excellent," and "Very Good," three "Very Fair" and one "Fair". The discipline and order throughout the school was very satisfactory. As regards sewing, the report of Miss Nesbit the examiner of needlework, states:- "The specimens are beautifully sewn. Twelve garments were examined, but six of theses were woollen, and would not be considered a test of sewing. The others are exquisitely worked."
General remarks : The Superintendent reports that out of 51 inmates discharged during the past three years, 43 are known to be doing well, even fairly and one badly. This is a very satisfactory record, and must be gratifying to the devoted Mother Superior and her band of sisters. The institution is a home in the best sense of the word, while work and play are combined intelligently for the girl's good. The Right Rev. Bishop Gibney takes a special interest in this school, and at the annual presentation of prizes, when each child receives a special gift. I had the pleasure of being present and hearing the kind and cheering words as each child received her gift at his hands.
Staff : The Superintendent is Sister M. Benedict. The resident official in charge is Sister M. Ursula, assisted by Sister Teresa and six assistant. The head teacher is Sister M. Augustine and three assistants. There is also a teamster and two general men. Maintenance : - Government allowance for 1903 1,734 pounds and 5 shillings.
Conduct and discipline : The conduct at the school is, and has always been, very satisfactory indeed. Two girls at all times are very anxious to please. The mark system is strictly adhered to. Although it does not carry a regular monetary allowance it's grants marks to gain certain privileges, and in various specially, deserving cases small amounts of money.
Recreation : The children had numerous outings, including picnics and visits to Perth. From my experience of this school nothing is wanting on the part of the Sisters to render life of the inmates as happy as possible to be.
Physical drill is carefully taught. Improvements and additions to the buildings : the buildings are kept in first-class order throughout. There have been no actual additions to the buildings, although various minor improvements have been carried out. A bookcase and additional books have been provided. Industrial work : This Institution continues, as it has always done, to take a leading position among other schools as regards the industrial training provided for it's inmates. The children are taught cooking, baking, laundry work, plain needlework, crochet and dressmaking. They also manufacture olive oil.
Educational State: The education of the children is receding very careful attention. The examination of the school is conducted by the Chief Inspector (Mr Walton), who reports that the results of the examination were excessively credible, and that this was specially so in the subject of arithmetic in which two standards obtained "Excellent," and "Very Good," three "Very Fair" and one "Fair". The discipline and order throughout the school was very satisfactory. As regards sewing, the report of Miss Nesbit the examiner of needlework, states:- "The specimens are beautifully sewn. Twelve garments were examined, but six of theses were woollen, and would not be considered a test of sewing. The others are exquisitely worked."
General remarks : The Superintendent reports that out of 51 inmates discharged during the past three years, 43 are known to be doing well, even fairly and one badly. This is a very satisfactory record, and must be gratifying to the devoted Mother Superior and her band of sisters. The institution is a home in the best sense of the word, while work and play are combined intelligently for the girl's good. The Right Rev. Bishop Gibney takes a special interest in this school, and at the annual presentation of prizes, when each child receives a special gift. I had the pleasure of being present and hearing the kind and cheering words as each child received her gift at his hands.
Staff : The Superintendent is Sister M. Benedict. The resident official in charge is Sister M. Ursula, assisted by Sister Teresa and six assistant. The head teacher is Sister M. Augustine and three assistants. There is also a teamster and two general men. Maintenance : - Government allowance for 1903 1,734 pounds and 5 shillings.
The article contained a photograph of St. Joseph's Orphanage in 1904 (no copyright infringement intended).
