Social Welfare Department (GA23)

The Department was established by the proclamation of the Maintenance Act Amendment Act 1965 on the 27/1/1966. In the proclamation the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board was abolished and the department was placed under the authority of the Minister for Social Welfare.

The statutory powers of the former Board were transferred to the Minister and to some extent to the Director of Social Welfare. Under the legislation the Minister became the legal guardian of each State child as well as having powers to establish and control centres, to promote social welfare within the community and to use the Department to promote social welfare.

The Department's function was to provide aid for the destitue, adults and children, to care for neglected children, to guide those who may become delinquent and to train residents in Departmental institutions. The Department was structured into the Field Branch and the Maintenance Branch.

As part of its role the Department administered the following facilities: Windana, Seaforth Home, Glandore Boys Home, Boys Reformative Institution-Magill, Brookway Park, Vaughan House, The Pines, Struan Farm, Lochiel Park, Kumanka, Stuart House, Allambi, Davenport House, six Cottage Homes and Magill Home.

During the 1965/66 financial year Bedford Park was closed. during the 1967/68 financial year the Boys Reformative Institution-Magill was renamed McNally Training Centre by proclamation in the Government Gazette.

The Department was replaced by the Department for Social Welfare and Aboriginal Affairs by a proclamation dated 23/4/1970.