Our next stop is the Kingston Centre, on the corner of Warrigal and Heatherton Road. As you drive into the complex there is a stately looking, two story building set on the hill which overlooks the garden. This was originally known as the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum. This building represents the successful lobbying and philanthropic support of the Victoria Benevolent Society determined to make a change to Workhouses established by the English Poor Law. The Asylum, initially built in North Melbourne, 1851, served as an immigrants’ home, blind asylum, orphanage and lunatic asylum. Although the depression of the 1890s caused severe overcrowding, it was not until 1911 that the site finally relocated to Cheltenham. [17]
The Premier of the State, Mr Murray, commented on the committee’s choice of location as a “rather out of the way position for the asylum – an impregnable fortress in the midst of a sandy desert” [18]. However, the establishment of the asylum in Cheltenham, brought improved roads to the region and much needed employment to the local community, in particular for women in nursing and domestic services [19]. The local community welcomed the 513 inmates transferred to their new country home near the seaside, which promised rolling green pastures and fresh air. In 1970 it was renamed the Kingston Centre with its focus in aged care. Today, the story of the inmates and the workers is barely remembered, however the Centre is now a leader in aged care rehabilitation [20].
[17] Kehoe, M, 2008, Benevolent Asylum (Kingston Centre), eMelbourne the city past & present, The University of Melbourne, http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00182b.htm
[18] Whitehead, J G 1998-2006, The Melbourne Benevolent Asylum comes to Cheltenham, Kingston Historical Website, City of Kingston, http://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/article/302.htm
[19] White, P, 2001, Homemaker, Helpmate, Social Girl, City of Kingston, 2001, City of Kingston Narrative Projects p33
[20] Monash Health website, Our Heritage, http://www.monashhealth.org/page/Our_heritage2
