Burwood is a place rich in history. According to historians of the City of Whitehorse, from ‘the late 19th and early 20th centuries children who were considered “neglected, destitute or delinquent” were ‘rescued’ by voluntary organisations, churches and the government and placed in orphanages, homes and reformatory schools.’
‘Here in Burwood, Melbourne merchant and philanthropist Robert Campbell Edwards provided a portion of his land on Warrigal Road for the establishment of the Burwood Boys’ Home, which opened in 1896.’ Edwards was an Irish-born tea merchant. The Burwood Boys’ Home was established at 155 Warrigal Road, Burwood and operated until around 1972.
Two other children’s institutions have been located on Elgar Road – Kildonan and Orana Peace.
Kildonan operated from 1937 to 1960. The Presbyterian Church managed it during those years. The property was renamed Allambie when the government took it over in 1961. The building is now owned by Deakin University. Walking tours can be organised through the university.
According to Find & Connect, ‘Allambie could accommodate up to 90 children including (from 1964) babies and toddlers and by the 1970s its capacity had grown to 228 children. Allambie closed in 1990’.
Orana Peace Memorial Homes was established on the west side of Elgar Road. It operated from 1953 - 1988. It was managed by the Methodist Church and located at 87 Elgar Road, Burwood.
THE CACHE
This cache should be an easy find. However, you’ll need to time your search well because it is in quite a busy and popular area for walkers, joggers, cyclists, Uni students and others. But I have faith in your ‘ninja’ ability to blend in with your environment. As usual, a dog will afford you the excuse you need to be just about anywhere round about here as it is a leash free zone.
BYO pen.
Please make sure that the you know what is on the flat side of the cache which is the lid. That way it will "adhere" better. Make sure it is secure before you depart here.
Half hour parking is available in Fletcher Parade during the week but if you are after 2 to 3 hour parking spots, you'll need to head to Bennettswood Bowling Club where this trail hits Station Street.
As usual, the rhymes contain your clues:
Hickory Dickory Dock The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one
The mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock.
Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again.
Unlike the king's men, I'm sure you'll be able to put the cache back properly ready for the next finder. There is an item in the container that needs to remain in the container. Please place the container back where and how you found it.
If you have time, this section of the trail between Burwood Hwy and Station St is well worth a visit for 'communion' with nature and relaxation. Also, the Buwood Link Bridge is a recent addition to the landscape, appearing only in 2017. It is both functional, aesthetically pleasing and very sensitive to its surroundings. Now you can cross the creek in style and also get a bird's eye view of the creek.
REFERENCES
‘Allambie Reception Centre (1961-90’)’. Wards of the State. (https://www.findingrecords.dhhs.vic.gov.au/collectionresultspage/AllambieYouthReceptionCentre)
‘Allambie Reception Centre (1961-1990)’. Find & Connect. (https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/vic/E000152)
‘Burwood Boys’ Home (1895-1972)’. Find & Connect. (https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/vic/E000337)
‘Family Support in our Neighbourhood’. City of Whitehorse Heritage Trail signboard
‘Orana, the Peace memorial Homes for Children (1953-1988)’. Find & Connect. (https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/vic/E000020)