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.

Minda Incorporated

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: