News & Events

135 Years Celebration

• The Art of Literacy Exhibition
• Luncheon @ NSW Parliament House
• Launch of a historical display at the Mitchell Library Foyer, State Library
• Reunion of past residents and their families

2009 is a special year for The Infants’ Home Child & Family Services as it commemorates 135 years of service to young children and their families. A number of events have been organised to celebrate this milestone.In May 1874 the inaugural meeting was held to establish the institution with Mrs E B Parnell as president. The first infant was welcomed on 3 June 1874 at 7.40pm.

Throughout its rich history The Home has reflected social change as it pioneered many initiatives that are now taken for granted, such as preschool kindergartens, single parent refuges, child care, infant feeding and settling clinics, parenting programs, foster care, and child & family early intervention programs.

Decades apart, The Infants’ Home has made a significant difference to the quality of lives of Marion and Jean, Elki and Niah and their families. Marion and Jean were referred to The Home in 1923 after their mother passed away. The twins lived at The Home receiving ongoing health services, education and care. During this time their father, a single parent and a new migrant, regularly visited the children and worked on establishing a home for his family. At six the twins were able to return to live with their newly married father and have a happy family life.

Marion and Jean are very proud to be associated with The Infants’ Home and at the age of 86 continue to visit and attend functions. Recently twins Elki, Niah and their mum Tamara have received a range of support through the GoodStart early intervention program. The twins have started school this year, confident and ready to embrace the opportunities at primary school.

The Home’s innovative work with early intervention currently includes research into Art Therapy, developments in integrated therapy for children in childcare and exploration of social enterprise programs to support sustainability of services into the future. The Home’s standing in the community as a leader in child and family services has long been recognised by Local, State and Federal Governments who contribute to funding for The Home.

The 135 Anniversary celebrations will be officially launched with the opening of a historical display and reunion of past residents and their families at the Mitchell Library Foyer, State Library of New South Wales on 1 June at 10am, Special Guest: Hon Linda Burney. This will be followed by a Luncheon on Tuesday 9 June 2009 at 12 noon at the Strangers Dining Room, Parliament House Sydney, Guest Speaker: Geraldine Doogue. The staff, supporters and families of The Infants’ Home look forward to celebrating its contribution to young children, their families and the community.

We invite you to join us. If anyone is interested in attending the historical display, reunion or luncheon, please contact The Infants’ Home on (02) 9799 4844 or by email at