St Francis House

St Francis House was a home for inland children from 1946 to 1959 at Glanville Hall in Semaphore South, Adelaide, South Australia.

Established by Father Percy Smith he purchased Glanville Hall on behalf of the Anglican Church to provide accommodation for young Aboriginal boys from remote areas who were attending school in the local area.^[1]

The St Francis Boys Home at Glanville was a dream of Father Smith, he talked to the parents about bringing boys down for education and employment.^[2]

In a time when it was commonly believed that Aboriginal children were unable to be educated beyond Grade 3, Father Smith saw the home as a way of providing a family environment for the children to pursue a higher level of education without losing their Aboriginal identity. Father Smith described the hostel as “not one of fostering, but rather a boarding establishment to which boys came with their mothers' consent for the school year and in that respect it was no different from children being sent by their parents to a boarding school".^[3].

The manor became known as St Francis House: A Home for Inland Children and over the next 14 years, more than 50 children found at home at St Francis on their way to greatness. Former residents include Dr Charles Perkins AO, Dr Gordon Briscoe AO, Dr John Moriarty AM, Mr Les Nayda AM, and Mr Bill Espie (Queens Medal for Bravery). Some notable sporting identities including Vincent Copley, Richie Bray and Ken Hampton went on to play football for Port Adelaide, while Wally McArthur became an accomplished track and field athlete. Many other residents went on to lead successful and fulfilled lives.^[4].

Dr John Moriarty has said, St Francis House was an exceptional home. If you look at the situation today and look back in retrospect.^[5].

At St Francis House, the boys formed a strong, life-long bond with Father Percy Smith and Mrs Smith and each other.^[6]

The history of St Francis House is being written by former Australian test cricketer Ashley Mallett.^[7]

References