From Joan Brogden's address to a General Meeting on 13th. September 2003 – ‘The idea behind Industrial Schools was to care for vagrant children and teach them a trade. Vagrancy became a huge problem at the end of the gold rush, as there were no jobs for families who returned to Melbourne. Men were forced to go bush to seek work whilst women and children often ended up on the streets.’
‘Hygiene at the school was poor. Because it was scarce, children washed in the same water. There were no towels so children dried themselves on their sheet. They were allocated only one sheet. Bed-wetting was a problem but there were only 3 chamber pots between 50 boys. Some had no pillow and most slept on a straw paillasse on the floor. Lice, fleas, and scabies spread quickly. The first health check showed 103 out of 120 boys had scabies. One comb was used for the 50 boys. Many children lost their eyesight because of ophthalmia (Conjunctivitis). More than 50% of the boys were under the age of 10 and the death rate for the first year was 11%.’
From 1879-1968 the site was redeveloped as an institution for psychiatric patients. Its name changed from Lunatic asylum to Psychiatric Hospital to Mental Hospital. In 1914 the precinct housed 1000 patients. We are sure the horror stories would have continued during this period as with its chronic under funding, the challenges of caring for psychiatric patients, and the, presumably, poor supervision of the carers, there were bound to be conditions and events unacceptable in today’s society.
From 1968-1992 the site was known as the 'Caloola Training Centre for the intellectually disabled.
Many former patients now live in residential care in Sunbury and other towns, a far better situation than locking them away in institutions. The better half of Team Ladava works with some, providing Occupational Therapy and activities which significantly improves their quality of life.
Between 1994 and 2010 the site was the Sunbury Campus of Victoria University of Technology,
In 2010 the University Campus closed and the Hume Anglican Grammar School established a campus within the facility.
The grounds are now hosting a range of groups including a Gym, 3NRG the local radio station, the Sunbury Woodworkers Group, The Sunbury Primary School and She Sunbury Special School.
Despite its history it is nevertheless an impressive group of building with varying architecture from the, almost 150 years, since the area was developed.
Enjoy.