Alexandra Babies' Home (Alexandra Toddlers' Home 1964-1973)

Full description

The Alexandra Babies' Home was established c.1909 at 187 Scott Parade, Ballarat East. 

The Home had a capacity of 36 children, most of which were wards of the state. When children reached the age of four they were typically transferred to the Ballarat Orphanage.

The Babies’ Home was located next to the Ballarat Female Refuge (VA 5829) in Scott Parade.

The Home was initially run by a committee of management before the Ballarat Town and City Mission (VA 5830) took over management of the Home in 1921. The Mission had closed the Ballarat Female Refuge and George Street Children’s Home and opened Ballarat Town and City Mission Rescue and Children’s Home in their place. It was also operated by the Mission alongside Alexandra Babies’ Home.

The Rescue Home closed in 1941, but the Babies’ Home continued operating, still run by the Mission.

The Babies’ Home was renamed to the Alexandra Toddlers' Home in 1964 to reflect that the children cared for at the Home were aged from eighteen months to five years.

The institution ceased to be registered by the Social Welfare Department as a Children's Home upon its closure on 8 November 1973. The Home had been experiencing financial difficulties. Some children who were living at the Home when it closed were returned to their parents; others were placed in alternative institutions.