Morialta Protestant Children's Home, later Morialta Children's Homes Incorporated (GA2634)

Morialta Protestant Children's Home was opened in 1924 in the former family home in Norton Summit of pioneer pastoralist, John Baker. Many prominent members of Adelaide society made contributions to fundraising efforts for the establishment of the Home.

The Home was run by a Board of Management containing representatives for the Presbyterian, Baptist, Protestant, and Church of Christ faiths, the Loyal Orange Institution and subscribers. A number of other religious and philanthropic organisations participated in the Board of Management of the Home over time. The Home was incorporated on 30 April 1925.

The objects was to "...provide a Protestant home for, and to provide in whole or in part for the maintenance and assistance of, orphans, neglected children, children under unfit guardianship and children whose parents are unable to care for them properly" (1)

In 1967 a property at Toorak Gardens was purchased and opened as a hostel for teenage boys who had left the Home and were working or studying but had difficulty finding suitable accommodation. The addition of this second property led to a name change in 1972 when both Homes became known as Morialta Children's Homes Incorporated. The Home, while still managed by an independent Board of Management, came under the supervision of the Department for Community Welfare at this time.

The Morialta Children's Home in Norton Summit and the hostel in Toorak Gardens were closed in 1974.

In 1976 the organisation Morialta Children's Homes Incorporated became the Morialta Trust, an organisation providing financial and other assistance to children and others in need.

Sources:

(1) First annual report of the Board of Management of the Federated Protestant Children's Homes, Incorporated, for the period from 1st March to 30 June 1925, GRG 29/153.
www.findandconnect.gov.au
Peter Scottney-Turbill, "Morialta: Fire in the Mist", 1994
GRG 29/153 Annual reports - Morialta Protestant Children's Home
GRG 29/144 Minutes - Board of Governors, Morialta protestant Children's Home