Information
St Mary’s Rescue Home was one of several charitable institutions around Brisbane set up to assist and accommodate pregnant single girls and unwed mothers and their babies. Managed by the Anglican Society of the Sacred Advent, the home had room for 16 women. The annual report of 1886 noted there were 13 ‘inmates’ and 12 babies, and that the work of the home was directed to prevention rather than rescue. The work performed the women was mainly laundry, and eventual aim was to place them as domestic servants, which unfortunately was a low-paid and arduous job that proved to be no escape from poverty. St Mary’s moved to Moggill Road, Taringa, in 1898.
Citations
The Telegraph, 20 September 1894; Brisbane, 15 September 1898; Pugh’s Almanac, 1898, p. 7; Qld Post Office Directory 1895-96, p. 102.
Image Citations
Announcement of opening of St Mary’s Rescue Home, 1894. The Telegraph, 15 September 1894.
Map References
MLMS. 40 chain AG2 series 1887–1932—Moreton district. 40 chains to 1 inch. Moreton 40 Chain map AG2 series sheet 3 north. AG2