Benevolent Asylum

The Destitute Asylums (usually known as Benevolent Asylums or Infirmaries for the destitute) were institutions established throughout the colonies of Australia in the 19th century to house deserted and destitute men, women and children not able to support themselves. Low employment prospects, poor conditions in the sleeping quarters and the adjoining workhouse and few hopes of finding a husband or some means of support made for a terrible and prolonged experience behind the walls of the asylum.

Benevolent Asylums and Infirmaries in Australia

• New South Wales
  • Sydney Infirmary and Dispensary,^[1] now Sydney Hospital
• Victoria
  • Melbourne Benevolent Asylum now Kingston Centre^[2]
  • Victorian Benevolent Hospital/Asylum, later known as Mount Royal (closed)
  • Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum^[3]
  • Ballarat Benevolent Asylum
  • Bendigo Benevolent Asylum and Industrial School^[4]
  • Castlemaine Benevolent Asylum
• South Australia
  • Adelaide Destitute Asylum
• Queensland
  • Dunwich Benevolent Asylum^[5]

The buildings of the Adelaide Destitute Asylum are now home to the SA Migration Museum, which opened on the 26th of August 2003.^[6]

References

1. History of Sydney Benevolent Asylum
2. Melbourne Benevolent Asylum History Accessed 1/9/08
3. Index to the Admission books - Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum. Accessed 1/9/08
4. Picture of Bendigo Asylum at the NGV website, accessed 1/9/08
5. Dunwich Benevolent Asylum Agency Details. Accessed 1/9/08
6. History Trust of South Australia Migration Museum Accessed 1/9/2008

External links

• Boots from the Adelaide Destitute Asylum
• history of Sydney Benevolent Asylum (now Sydney Hospital)
• The Manning History of South Australia - The Destitute Asylum
• George Negus Tonight - history - Transcripts - Annie Kelly
• Heritage Treasures of Adelaide - Destitute Asylum building
• Disability Information and Resource Centre, South Australia
• National Library of Australia - Destitute Asylum picture
• Migration Museum website