AGY-1726 | Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute (1862-1913) / Liverpool State Hospital and Home (1913-1959)

Full description

Liverpool Asylum was originally established as a branch of the Sydney Benevolent Society on 26 November 1851. (1)

In January 1862 the Report from the Select Committee on the Benevolent Asylum, Sydney, appointed to inquire into the adequacy of the provision made for the destitute, found the Liverpool institution seriously overcrowded. While it provided accommodation for 190 inmates, it held 352. (2) The Colonial Secretary's Office responded to the Select Committee's Report by arranging for the transfer of 200 men from the Liverpool Asylum to a Government Asylum on Parramatta Wharf. (3) On 16 March 1862 the Government resumed the Liverpool Asylum building and took entire charge of its inmates. (4)

A Board for the Management and Superintendence of the Expenditure from the Public Revenue for the Infirm and Destitute was established to manage the Government institutions, and to decide upon applications for admission. (5) The Board administered the Government Asylums for the Infirm and Destitute branch of the Colonial Secretary's Department. Liverpool Asylum provided refuge for infirm and destitute men, with those able to assist in the Asylum's farm operations and workshop paid a small daily wage. In 1865 The Illustrated Sydney News had reported that there were 274 residents of the institution, with 74 in the sick wards, a similar number employed about the institution, and the others blind, paralysed, or otherwise incapacitated for labour of any kind. (6)

In 1867 the Government Asylums branch became the responsibility of the Inspector of Public Charities, and in 1888 responsibility was transferred to the Department of Charitable Institutions. In 1913 this Department was amalgamated with the Department of Public Health. (7)

From 1913 Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute was known as Liverpool State Hospital and Home (8), and by 1933 contained accommodation for 889, with 853 inmates in residence. Facilities included a specialised cancer ward, and an out-patients and surgical ward, with the institution supplied with produce from its dairy, piggery, vegetable gardens and orchard. (9)

Approval was given by the Premier for the acquisition of the hospital site for use as a technical college. (10)

Records for Liverpool State Hospital and Home are held up to 1959, with the hospital closing on 19 January 1959. At that date a number of remaining patients were either discharged or transferred to another institution. (11)

On 13 May 1959 the site changed hands (12) and the Liverpool Technical College opened to classes on 2 February 1960. (13) On 10 July 1961 the building was officially reopened for use as a Technical College. (14)

Endnotes
1. State Records NSW, Disposal Authority No.4786.
2. Report from the Select Committee on the Benevolent Society, Sydney, 7 January 1862, Votes and Proceedings 1861-62, Vol 2, p.910.
3. Asylums for the Destitute (Correspondence), printed 2 July 1862, Votes and Proceedings 1862, Vol 4, p.317.
4. ibid, p. 325.
5. ibid, p.317.
6. Health Department, Histories of various NSW Government Hospitals 1879-1980, Folder for Liverpool Asylum, RNCG-1593, [10/50590].
7. Concise Guide to the State Archives of NSW, Fiche 8, p.32.
8. Report of Director General of Public Health for 1913, https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/papers/Pages/tabled-paper-details.aspx?pk=184734&houseCode=LH, p. 336, ss.162.
9. Report of the Director General of Public Health for the year 1933, in Parliamentary Papers 1934-35, Vol 2, p.1315.
10. NRS-14014-1-[20/9729]-73/C47C/38027 Letter from the NSW Premier, J J Cahill, to the Hon RJ Heffron, MLA, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, 13/01/1959.
11. NRS-23160 Admission cards – discharges - contents end date of series is 19/01/1959.
12. NRS-14014-1-[20/9729]-73/C47C/38027 Letter to NSW Government Real Estate Office, from JG Hart, 25/09/1959.
13. NRS-14014-1-[20/9729]-73/C47C/38027 Letter to Government Stores Department, JG Hart, 07/01/1960.
14. Health Department, RNCG-1593, [10/50590].