Clontarf Aboriginal College
Encyclopedia
Clontarf Aboriginal College is the current name of a former orphanage
for boys operated by the Christian Brother
s organisation in the Perth
suburb of Waterford
in Western Australia
. Opening in 1901, the facility has been used for a number of purposes since, most notably as an orphanage but also as a convent
and as a day and boarding school. During World War II
it was used as a training school for the Royal Australian Air Force
. Through its history, it has housed and educated day boys and boarders, orphans, vagrants, children from disadvantaged families, child migrants and Aboriginal children. Since 1986 it has been a co-educational Aboriginal College for Indigenous Australian youth aged between 15 and 18 years. From 2000 the College has also been the centre for the Clontarf Football Academy run by the Clontarf Foundation
a program of Australian rules football
for indigenous youth.
The estate is situated on the northern banks of the Canning River between the river and Manning Road, east of Elderfield Road. Curtin University of Technology
is nearby. It was expanded several times over the years through purchases of adjoining land and ultimately occupied over 80 hectares (197.7 acre). From 1981 large portions of the property were subdivided and became the residential suburb of Waterford.
The name Clontarf comes from Clontarf
, a wealthy suburb in the north-east of Dublin, Ireland
, reflecting the origins of the founder of the Christian Brothers, Edmund Ignatius Rice
, as well as many of the early Christian brothers. Clontarf, Ireland, was the site of the Battle of Clontarf
in 1014 which saw the defeat of the Vikings by Brian Boru
, a High King of Ireland
from 1002 to 1014.
which housed 81 boys. Shortly after, the Brothers located and acquired land on the banks of the Canning River near present day Manning
. The Bishop of Perth
, The Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Gibney
, laid the foundation stone for the new building in 1901.
Originally named St Joseph's Boys' Orphanage, the first building was completed in September 1901 and the first boys were transferred there shortly after. The Superior was Brother Kevin Ryan and other Brothers Bodkin and O'Connor also assisted. Various other buildings including a bakehouse, laundry, store-room and toilets were soon constructed, however most of these early structures have since been demolished. Sometime later it was renamed to St Peter's Intermediate Orphanage.
By 1919, Brother Paul Keaney
joined the staff and it became known as Clontarf Boy's Orphanage. In 1927, access to the community was improved after a road from Canning Bridge
through to Albany Highway
was constructed. Originally called Clontarf Road, this is now known as Manning Road. By the 1930s Clontarf was almost self sufficient with an extensive orchard and vegetable garden as well as a dairy, poultry yard, a piggery and holdings of other livestock. It housed between 100 and 150 boys, usually aged between six and fourteen years. Boys received a primary school education, religious teaching and training in basic manual skills and farm practices. Government funding for the boys was withdrawn at the age of fourteen which was when most boys left.
Between 1936 and 1942, Brother Keaney served a second period as Superior during which he introduced an apprenticeship scheme that provided the boys with trade skills. Many buildings were constructed during the period using the boys as labourers. It is estimated that 300,000 bricks were laid by the boys for a new chapel which was built and consecrated in 1941 by Archbishop Redmond Prendiville
. Other tasks done by the boys included roof tiling and carpentry work. In 1941 the orphanage was renamed Clontarf Boys' Town and around that time started taking orphans from Britain
.
With the advent of World War II
, the Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) seconded the site as a training school between 1942 and 1945. The Brothers and the boys moved to new farm schools at Bindoon
and Tardun
.
After the war, the Christian Brothers returned with the Sisters of Mercy also using some of the buildings as a convent through to 1966. A junior secondary school was also introduced with some boys moving to the nearby Aquinas College
to complete their schooling. By 1953, the population was 249 and in 1961 it was opened to day pupils and boarders. It was renamed to Clontarf School and in 1964 had a peak enrolment of 303 boys.
From the early 1970s, the Christian Brothers started to use the facilities as a treatment centre for adolescents with behavioural problems and day boys ceased to be enrolled by 1977. Enrolments were reduced to 30 by the early 1980s. It closed in April 1984 but reopened as the Clontarf Aboriginal College on 2 May 1986. Up to 50 Indigenous Australian boys from remote areas of the state board at two hostels run by the college, one at North Beach and the other at North Fremantle. As of 2010, the College is planning to build a boarding facility on site.
and cruelty were made against the Christian Brothers by former students and residents of various institutions run by the order, including Clontarf. An organisation named VOICES (Victims of Institutionalised Cruelty, Exploitation and Supporters) was established to represent and provide counselling for those who had experienced abuse at the Christian Brothers’ orphanages.
Brother Paul Keaney in particular was named as an instigator of the cruelty and abuse.
The Christian Brothers accepted that there was strong evidence that many of the allegations were true, and made a public apology. A legal action brought by over 200 former students ran from 1993 in the New South Wales Supreme Court and was finalised in 1996 with an out of court settlement.
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
for boys operated by the Christian Brother
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
s organisation in the Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
suburb of Waterford
Waterford, Western Australia
Waterford is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of South Perth.Waterford is situated on the Canning River.-History:...
in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. Opening in 1901, the facility has been used for a number of purposes since, most notably as an orphanage but also as a convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
and as a day and boarding school. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it was used as a training school for the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
. Through its history, it has housed and educated day boys and boarders, orphans, vagrants, children from disadvantaged families, child migrants and Aboriginal children. Since 1986 it has been a co-educational Aboriginal College for Indigenous Australian youth aged between 15 and 18 years. From 2000 the College has also been the centre for the Clontarf Football Academy run by the Clontarf Foundation
Clontarf Foundation
The Clontarf Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to improve the education, discipline, self esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men and by doing so, equip them to participate more meaningfully in society...
a program of Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
for indigenous youth.
The estate is situated on the northern banks of the Canning River between the river and Manning Road, east of Elderfield Road. Curtin University of Technology
Curtin University of Technology
Curtin University is an Australian university based in Perth, Western Australia, with additional campuses in regional Western Australia and at Miri , Sydney and Singapore...
is nearby. It was expanded several times over the years through purchases of adjoining land and ultimately occupied over 80 hectares (197.7 acre). From 1981 large portions of the property were subdivided and became the residential suburb of Waterford.
The name Clontarf comes from Clontarf
Clontarf, Dublin
Clontarf is a coastal suburb on the northside of Dublin, in Ireland. It is most famous for giving the name to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, in which Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, defeated the Vikings of Dublin and their allies, the Irish of Leinster. This battle, which extended to districts...
, a wealthy suburb in the north-east of Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, reflecting the origins of the founder of the Christian Brothers, Edmund Ignatius Rice
Edmund Ignatius Rice
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice , was a Roman Catholic missionary and educationalist. Edmund was the founder of two orders of religious brothers: the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers....
, as well as many of the early Christian brothers. Clontarf, Ireland, was the site of the Battle of Clontarf
Battle of Clontarf
The Battle of Clontarf took place on 23 April 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada: composed mainly of his own men, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by his cousin Sigtrygg, as well as the one rebellious...
in 1014 which saw the defeat of the Vikings by Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
, a High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
from 1002 to 1014.
History
In 1897, the Christian Brothers assumed control of the Sisters of Mercy orphanage in SubiacoSubiaco, Western Australia
Subiaco is an inner western suburb of Perth, Western Australia, situated to the north west of Kings Park. Its Local Government Area is the City of Subiaco.-History:Prior to European settlement the area was home to the Noongar Indigenous people....
which housed 81 boys. Shortly after, the Brothers located and acquired land on the banks of the Canning River near present day Manning
Manning, Western Australia
Manning is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia.The land was originally purchased by Henry Manning in 1856, with Manning's grandson, John Daniel Manning having a dairy farm in the area...
. The Bishop of Perth
Catholic Bishops and Archbishops of Perth, Western Australia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Perth is a Metropolitan Archdiocese in Western Australia. It is responsible for the suffragan dioceses of Broome, Bunbury and Geraldton....
, The Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Gibney
Matthew Gibney
Bishop Matthew Gibney was born in November 1835 at Killeshandra, Cavan, Ireland. He studied for the priesthood at the preparatory seminary at Stillorgan and from 1857 at the Catholic Missionary College of All Hallows, Drumcondra, Dublin...
, laid the foundation stone for the new building in 1901.
Originally named St Joseph's Boys' Orphanage, the first building was completed in September 1901 and the first boys were transferred there shortly after. The Superior was Brother Kevin Ryan and other Brothers Bodkin and O'Connor also assisted. Various other buildings including a bakehouse, laundry, store-room and toilets were soon constructed, however most of these early structures have since been demolished. Sometime later it was renamed to St Peter's Intermediate Orphanage.
By 1919, Brother Paul Keaney
Paul Keaney
Brother Paul Francis Keaney, MBE, ISO, was born on 5 October 1888, in Ireland. In 1911 he migrated to Australia and in 1916 he became a Christian Brother...
joined the staff and it became known as Clontarf Boy's Orphanage. In 1927, access to the community was improved after a road from Canning Bridge
Canning Bridge
Canning Bridge is a traffic bridge which is the most downstream crossing of the Canning River in the city of Perth, Western Australia. The bridge is a part of Canning Highway, and it connects the suburbs of Como and Applecross. The Canning River is approximately 100 metres wide at the crossing,...
through to Albany Highway
Albany Highway
Albany Highway is a generally northwest-southeast highway in the south of Western Australia which links the state's capital Perth with its oldest settlement, Albany. The highway is approximately in length, is designated State Route 30 and separates Western Australia's Great Southern region from...
was constructed. Originally called Clontarf Road, this is now known as Manning Road. By the 1930s Clontarf was almost self sufficient with an extensive orchard and vegetable garden as well as a dairy, poultry yard, a piggery and holdings of other livestock. It housed between 100 and 150 boys, usually aged between six and fourteen years. Boys received a primary school education, religious teaching and training in basic manual skills and farm practices. Government funding for the boys was withdrawn at the age of fourteen which was when most boys left.
Between 1936 and 1942, Brother Keaney served a second period as Superior during which he introduced an apprenticeship scheme that provided the boys with trade skills. Many buildings were constructed during the period using the boys as labourers. It is estimated that 300,000 bricks were laid by the boys for a new chapel which was built and consecrated in 1941 by Archbishop Redmond Prendiville
Redmond Prendiville
Redmond Prendiville was a Catholic archbishop of Perth and reputedly, the youngest archbishop in the Catholic world when he was consecrated in 1933....
. Other tasks done by the boys included roof tiling and carpentry work. In 1941 the orphanage was renamed Clontarf Boys' Town and around that time started taking orphans from Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
With the advent of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) seconded the site as a training school between 1942 and 1945. The Brothers and the boys moved to new farm schools at Bindoon
Bindoon, Western Australia
Bindoon is a town located from Perth city on the Great Northern Highway within the Shire of Chittering.Bindoon is where the majority of training and selection takes place for the Australian Special Air Service Regiment...
and Tardun
Tardun, Western Australia
Tardun in a small town in the Mid West region of Western Australia.The townsite is located along the Mullewa to Wongan Hills railway line. The location of the town was decided in 1913 when the route of the railway was being planned....
.
After the war, the Christian Brothers returned with the Sisters of Mercy also using some of the buildings as a convent through to 1966. A junior secondary school was also introduced with some boys moving to the nearby Aquinas College
Aquinas College, Perth
Aquinas College is a Catholic independent, day and boarding school for boys, located in Salter Point, Western Australia. Its sister school is Santa Maria Ladies College located in Attadale...
to complete their schooling. By 1953, the population was 249 and in 1961 it was opened to day pupils and boarders. It was renamed to Clontarf School and in 1964 had a peak enrolment of 303 boys.
From the early 1970s, the Christian Brothers started to use the facilities as a treatment centre for adolescents with behavioural problems and day boys ceased to be enrolled by 1977. Enrolments were reduced to 30 by the early 1980s. It closed in April 1984 but reopened as the Clontarf Aboriginal College on 2 May 1986. Up to 50 Indigenous Australian boys from remote areas of the state board at two hostels run by the college, one at North Beach and the other at North Fremantle. As of 2010, the College is planning to build a boarding facility on site.
Allegations of abuse
In the late 1980s, allegations of abuseAbuse
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise...
and cruelty were made against the Christian Brothers by former students and residents of various institutions run by the order, including Clontarf. An organisation named VOICES (Victims of Institutionalised Cruelty, Exploitation and Supporters) was established to represent and provide counselling for those who had experienced abuse at the Christian Brothers’ orphanages.
Brother Paul Keaney in particular was named as an instigator of the cruelty and abuse.
The Christian Brothers accepted that there was strong evidence that many of the allegations were true, and made a public apology. A legal action brought by over 200 former students ran from 1993 in the New South Wales Supreme Court and was finalised in 1996 with an out of court settlement.