Sutherland Homes for Children and Selina Sutherland

The following article is extracted from the booklet: "Selina M Sutherland - Her Life Story and Work" by J C Jessop - contributed by Neisha Forbes Plenty Historical Society

Miss Selina Sutherland was the significant person who set up the Sutherland Homes for Children, prior to the organization moving out to the Diamond Creek property owned by Miss Auguste Meglin.

1 Beginnings
2 Miss Meglin's property
3 Support from Prime Minister Deakin
4 Memorial
5 75th Anniversary
6 Victorian Honour Roll of Women
7 Sources
8 Reading
9 Support Service
10 Links

[edit] Beginnings

Miss Sutherland in 1880 whilst walking over Princes Bridge, Melbourne, noticed a number of urchins running around at the base of the Bridge, and on enquiring with another lady, Mrs Armour who was also looking at the children playing under the bridge, found that the boys slept under the bridge at night. Miss Meglin with the assistance of Mrs Armour, the widow of a sea-captain who had lived in Tasmania, who had been trying to help waifs and strays of Melbourne since 1874, starting caring for the Children with the assistance of the Scot’s Church. Miss Armour passed away in 1894 and Miss Sutherland continued on her work to care for neglected children and was a very out- spoken and a well known identity in Melbourne advocating for the protection and care for neglected children.

In 1894 ”The Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society” was set up along the lines that Selina Sutherland wanted for the care of neglected children. The care of children was carried out in various places, by Miss Sutherland, and in 1904 accommodation at the various Melbourne premises was proving inadequate to meet all the demands.

The monochrome print shows Selena Sutherland at a 1908 Christmas Party at the home’s Carlton premises. Source : Diamond Valley Local History Digitisation Project Yarra Plenty Regional Library

[edit] Miss Meglin's property

Miss Sutherland’s greatest encouragement during 1908 was from Miss Meglin who owned a country home with some 40 acres of land near Greensborough, Diamond Creek. Miss Meglin had sent for Miss Sutherland and told her that she was willing to make the property available, under certain conditions, as a permanent home for children committed to her care. This offer was subsequently implemented by a legal settlement dated the 17 April, 1909 under which possession of the property was to be given and received in October of the same year. In July, 1909 and before possession had been given, Miss Meglin died, and it was then learned that, in addition to the gift of the property, Miss Meglin had provided in her will that the balance of the income of her estate, after meeting certain annuities should be for the new organization for its work.

Miss Sutherland spoke enthusiastically about her plans, and the tremendous opportunity that now presented itself through the gift of the country home. Unfortunately, Miss Sutherland was stuck down with pleurisy, pneumonia supervened, and she passed away 6 October, 1909. The day of her death was the very day fixed for her to enter into possession of the country home at Diamond Creek. Sister Ellen Sanderson remained Superintendent at Sutherland Homes for Children at Diamond Creek until 1915, and her duties were then transferred to Mrs. Ada Wenborn, who continued on as Matron for the caring of children at Sutherland Homes in Diamond Creek until 1920.

Sutherland Homes for Children continued on caring for children, and in 1984 Sutherland Homes for Children merged with Berry Street. Berry Street sold the Sutherland Homes site in 1999, and transferred their operation to Eltham in 2002.

[edit] Support from Prime Minister Deakin

Letter written by Alfred Deakin, dated 7 November, 1906 and written whilst he was Prime Minister.

“Miss Sutherland has been for many years the most capable devoted and successful philanthropic worker in this metropolis; she has dedicated her life to the rescue and care of children, saved from the slums, from neglected homes, from starvation and desertion. The value of Miss Sutherland’s noble work, not confined by any limitations of class, creed or colour is simply incalculable, incidentally embracing a great amount of assistance and reformation to the parents and other adults connected with the children who were always nearest to her heart”

[edit] Memorial

Soon after Selina Sutherland’s death a public appeal was launched in Melbourne to enable a suitable monument to be erected over her grave. In May 1910 an imposing granite structure was unveiled at a largely attended ceremony, and on this stone were inscribed the following words:-

“For twenty-eight years an unwearied friend of Melbourne’s poor, the truest helper of its fallen, and the devoted foster mother of all destitute ones, for whom she taught Victoria how to care, having rescued 3,000 waifs from its streets and slums. “She hath done what she could”.

“The devoted foster mother of all destitute little ones, for whom she taught Victoria how to care”.

[edit] 75th Anniversary

Celebrating with a twirl of fairy floss, and dressed in period costume, this happy participant enjoys the Special Open Day at Sutherland Homes on Sunday November 20, 1983

Source Diamond Valley Library Digitisation Project, Yarra Plenty Regional Library

A dog show, period dress contest, decorated cake contest and a visit by a Veteran Car Club were part of the day's events to celebrate 75 years of child care at the Sutherland Homes, Plenty.