Bethany Babies' Home [Previously known as Geelong Female Refuge 1868 - 1928]

Full description

The Geelong Female Refuge was established in 1868 to accommodate unmarried pregnant woman and to care for babies unable to stay with their mothers.  The home was nondenominational and administered by a committee of management.

In 1928, the Refuge was renamed Bethany Babies' Home. Bethany also operated as a mothercraft training school and maternity hospital.  After World War II, Bethany became known as a babies' hospital treating premature and frail babies awaiting return to their parents.  

By the late 1950's, Bethany provided residential care to wards of state, infant life protection placements and privately placed children.  Bethany was also an approved adoption agency.

In 1977, it ceased to operate as a babies' home and became Bethany Community Support which functioned as a child and family care agency.