History

Caring for Children in Need since 1886.

The Gordon Institute was formally founded on May 17th 1888 in memory of Charles George Gordon. Incorporation occurred March 7th 1894, Government Gazette no. 44, 16th March 1894.

William Mark Forster was an admirer of General Gordon's charitable work with children. In the 1880's, with the help of others, he established the Try Excelsior Classes and his successful lobbying for a city premises resulted in the new building in Bowen Street which opened on February 1889.
           
An original object of the Institute was "to rescue children from criminal ways by attracting them from evil associations and pastimes to the premises". Besides a variety of evening classes and activities, the most important service was the finding of country employment situations for the boys.

The Gordon Institute played a major role in the establishment of the Children's Court in 1907 and accommodated the Court and its ancilliary facilities at Bowen Street from February 1908 until the end of 1941.

The Institute's building was compulsorily taken over by the Government late in 1941 for wartime training purposes; the resident boys transferring to the care of the Burwood Boys Home for an unspecified period. On the 28 April 1951 the new Institution on Nepean Highway at Highett was officially opened by the Governor.  The commonly used titles were The Gordon Homes for Boys or simply The Gordon Homes.

In 1967, a decision was made to change to a 'scattered family group home' concept of care, resulting, in the early 70's, in the sale of most of the property and construction of eight group homes in six suburbs. Importantly, girls and siblings were now accommodated, the Administration building and one special Cottage being retained on the original site. Notice of the change of name to 'The Gordon Homes for Boys and Girls' appeared in the Victorian Government Gazette No 94 on October 22nd 1969. The Gordon, as with other Agencies incorporated under the Hospitals and Charities Act 1958, was required to migrate to the Associations Act of 1981, and was so incorporated on January 24th 1994 (Certificate no A00288405).

Reflecting the broadening scope of the Gordon's care programmes, late in 2000 the service title of 'GordonCare for Children' was adopted and duly registered as our business name on 14 November 2000. (No. B1546329W). A detailed history "A History and Tribute" is available for $15.00 per copy.

Please email: office@gordoncare.org if you wish to purchase this publication