It took two politicians and a number of concerned citizens to encourage the government to build a home for children with an intellectual disability. It was called Minda Home and it continues to operate today. Prior to the establishment of Minda Home, children with intellectual disabilities were placed in the Parkside Lunatic Asylum.
Establishment of Minda Home
The establishment of Minda Home began with the unlikely alliance of two politicians, C.C. Kingston, a radical liberal and Josiah Symon, an independent conservative. Their alliance arose from their personal experiences. Kingston was in a childless marriage and Symon had two children with an intellectual disability. Together with a number of concerned citizens they approached the Chief Secretary in an effort to encourage the government to establish a home for children with an intellectual disability. The government promised a sum of £500, providing a similar amount was raised from public donations.
Fullarton 1898-1911
In 1897 a home at Fullarton was purchased with the capacity to accommodate twenty-two children. The home was called ‘Minda’, an Aboriginal word meaning ‘a place of shelter and protection’ but it was officially registered as ‘The Home for Weakminded Children’. The home was to provide care, education and special training so the children would have happy and useful lives. In May 1898 ten children moved into the home. They were cared for by Matron Elizabeth Barker and educated by Miss Edna Fox. The small home was soon filled to capacity.
Brighton 1911-Present
By 1909 a larger institution was needed, so a property at Brighton was purchased. The government provided financial support and a new home was built. In September 1911 the institution was incorporated and officially named Minda Home. The children from Fullarton were moved there two months later. The organisation expanded rapidly. The Verco Building, was built in 1913. Cottage style buildings, named Lady Galway and Sir Charles Goode were built in 1918, to meet the increasing demand for places at the home. More additions were made in the 1920s and 1930s. By 1934 Minda was also operating a farm and dormitory at Craigburn Farm at Blackwood in the Adelaide Hills.
Today, Minda continues to evolve and remains at the forefront of the disability sector in South Australia. It provides supported community living for people living with intellectual disability together with services such as social work, psychology and respite for individuals and their families. It also provides supported employment opportunities, both in the community and on the Brighton site. Currently 900 staff provide support to over 1,500 people living with intellectual disability. It accommodates 250 adults on campus and another 250 adults in the community. The remaining individuals are supported through Minda’s other services.
References
Dickey, Brian 1986. Rations, residence, resources: A history of social welfare in South Australia since 1836. Netley: Wakefield Press
Find your way home: with SA Link-up. 2005. [online].[Accessed on 30th April 2007]. Available from the World Wide Web:
January 14th, 2008 at 8:30 am
What does Minda stand for?
January 14th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Our research shows it’s an aboriginal term meaning a place of shelter and protection.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:03 am
where can i find patient records relating to my uncle at MINDA in 1936
February 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Ring Sandra Harvey on (08)8422 6250 at Minda. She will help you find out about your uncle.
February 29th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I am 40 years old and my mum used to breed cocker spaniel dogs and we used to show them at various places. As a young child I was always at Minda Home and other place to show the dogs, I can always remember mum telling me that these people at Minda Home were different from us but the same in so many ways - they were human beings - just different!
I am now a director of the Warradale Community Children’s Centre at Parkholme,those lessons in my life made such a difference, I believe that each and every one is entitled to a healthy,equal and happy life; each of our lives are different, each is special, every one of us is important to the world in which we live, yes it is the litle people that make us big.
What would our world be like if we were all the same?
How would we feel if we all had great fame?
Many famous people had issues like we do,
But for the Grace of God this could be me or you.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:30 am
Browsing my family tree, I find a great (x?) uncle George Ash, who ended up in South Australia. He ran with a partner the Narracoote Herald for a while, and I gather was later involved with Messrs Kingston and Symon in setting up the Minda Home. Can you tell me any more about his history in South Australia and if he has any descendents?
Mike Ash
currently living in Treorchy, Wales, but born in London, England.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
These links will give you some information on your great uncle, George Ash.
http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070109b.htm ,
http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/showPerson?pid=8025 ,
http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/manning/pn/a/a13.htm ,
http://www.naracoorteherald.com.au/history.html .
He certainly achieved a lot during his short life.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I worked at Minda Home in the 60’s when nurse training was conducted. I enjoyed the training, but, wondered if there is any records of that time
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I contacted Minda [ph:(08)8422 6200] and they do have some records in their archives. However, you will need to ring them to find out if they have what you are seeking.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:04 am
thanks for the information. Kim is the person I need to speak to, but, she is on holidays. Will contact her later
November 15th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I am researching my Family Tree. I have a relative, Melinda Croud, living at Minda House, with her husband, Alfred, in 1915. She was possibly a cook, he was a labourer. Are there any records from that time that might help me.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Hi Andrew
Ring Sandra Harvey on (08)8422 6250 at Minda. She may be able to help you find out about your relative.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Hello, I am looking for anyone who remembers a man with Down Syndrome his name was Charles Royston Leonard Wrigley, he would have come to Minda around 1941. Any info would be great.
November 30th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Hi Sheri
Ring Sandra Harvey on (08)8422 6250 at Minda. She may be able to help you.