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Produced and published by the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
Published July 2008
Published July 2008
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Broadmeadows Babies Home (St Joseph's Foundling Home) was one of a chain of institutions developed by the Sisters of St Joseph between 1890 and 1902 in response to public concern about infanticide. Opened in 1900 the home grew to accommodate 60 mothers and 140 babies, many transferred from the maternity home opened by the Sisters in 1902. Most babies were adopted but those still in care at the age of two were transferred to St Joseph's, Kew, or to other Catholic orphanages. While the need for such a large institution declined dramatically during the 1970s the Sisters operated a service for mothers and babies in Glenroy until the establishment of MacKillop Family Services in 1997.