Clontarf Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A nice easy stroll along the river in an intertesting area with a checkered past. Beginning early 2010, the grounds are used for a popular Farmers Market each Saturday morning - this is a time to check out the old buildings around the location (access from Manning Road).
Cache is in a screw top plastic container. make sure there are no muggles about as it is not far from the path.
The following is an extract from Wikipedia:
(visit link)
History
In 1897, the Christian Brothers assumed control of the Sisters of Mercy orphanage in Subiaco which housed 81 boys. Shortly after, the Brothers located and acquired land on the banks of the Canning River. The Bishop of Perth, The Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Gibney, laid the foundation stone for the new building in 1901.
Originally named St Joseph's Boys' Orphanage, the first building was completed in September 1901 and the first boys were transferred there shortly after. The Superior was Brother Kevin Ryan and other Brothers Bodkin and O'Connor also assisted. Various other buildings including a bakehouse, laundry, store-room and toilets were soon constructed, however most of these early structures have since been demolished. Sometime later it was renamed to St Peter's Intermediate Orphanage.
By 1919, Brother Paul Keaney (see below under allegations of abuse) joined the staff and it became known as Clontarf Boy's Orphanage. In 1927, access to the community was improved after a road from Canning Bridge through to Albany Highway was constructed. Originally called Clontarf Road, this is now known as Manning Road.[2] By the 1930s Clontarf was almost self sufficient with an extensive orchard and vegetable garden as well as a dairy, poultry yard, a piggery and holdings of other livestock. It housed between 100 and 150 boys, usually aged between six and fourteen years. Boys received a primary school education, religious teaching and training in basic manual skills and farm practices.
Between 1936 and 1942, Brother Keaney served a second period as Superior during which he introduced an apprenticeship scheme that provided the boys with trade skills. Many buildings were constructed during the period using the boys as labourers. It is estimated that 300,000 bricks were laid by the boys for a new chapel which was built and consecrated in 1941 by Archbishop Redmond Prendiville. Other tasks done by the boys included roof tiling and carpentry work. In 1941 the orphanage was renamed Clontarf Boys' Town and around that time started taking orphans from Britain. [4]
With the advent of World War II, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) seconded the site as a training school between 1942 and 1945. The Brothers and the boys moved to new farm schools at Bindoon and Tardun.
After the war, the Christian Brothers returned with the Sisters of Mercy also using some of the buildings as a convent through to 1966. A junior secondary school was also introduced with some boys moving to the nearby Aquinas College to complete their schooling. By 1953, the population was 249 and in 1961 it was opened to day pupils and boarders. It was renamed to Clontarf School and in 1964 had a peak enrolment of 303 boys.
From the early 1970s, the Christian Brothers started to use the facilities as a treatment centre for adolescents with behavioural problems and day boys ceased to be enrolled by 1977. Enrolments were reduced to 30 by the early 1980s. It closed in April 1984 but reopened as the Clontarf Aboriginal College on 2 May 1986. Up to 50 Indigenous Australian boys from remote areas of the state board at two hostels run by the college, one at North Beach and the other at North Fremantle. The College is currently (2010) planning to build a boarding facility on site.
Allegations of abuse
In the late 1980s, allegations of abuse and cruelty were made against the Christian Brothers by former students and residents of various institutions run by the Brotherhood, including Clontarf. An organisation named VOICES (Victims of Institutionalised Cruelty, Exploitation and Supporters) was established to represent and provide counselling for those who had experienced abuse at the Christian Brothers’ orphanages. Brother Paul Keaney in particular was named as an instigator of the cruelty and abuse [3] [4]. The Christian Brothers accepted that there was strong evidence that many of the allegations were true, and made a public apology.[5] A legal action brought by over 200 former students ran from 1993 in the New South Wales Supreme Court and was finalised in 1996 with an out of court settlement.[6]
The Gardens [1]
An important part of the non built property of Clontarf is the uncleared river foreshore vegetation and what remains of Brother Keaney’s Gardens planted c1920s. The exotic species that have endured include a large number of palms, London plane trees and willow trees. The river foreshore area that is still vegetated is a good example of foreshore vegetation with a small number of invasive species such as seeded palms and kikuyu.
The geocache is located on the edge of Brother Keaney’s Gardens.
Cited
1. City of South Perth Municipal Heritage Inventory - Origin and meaning of Place Names
2. "Town Planning Information". City of South Perth. (visit link) Retrieved 2007-01-12.
3.Speech by Senator Andrew Murray (19 September 2001)
4. (visit link)
5. Sins Of The Brothers ABC Lateline transcript (24 November 1998)
6. Speech by Senator Andrew Murray (28 October 2002)
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures