Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls, Former Aboriginal training institution in Cootamundra, Australia
Cootamundra Domestic Training Home is a converted hospital building that operated as a residential training facility for Aboriginal girls from 1911 to 1968. The heritage-listed structure now functions as an educational center dedicated to Indigenous history and reconciliation.
The home was established as part of government assimilation policies that removed Aboriginal children from their families to teach them domestic service skills for employment in non-Indigenous households. This practice formed part of a broader strategy to suppress Indigenous identity and culture.
The home represents a painful chapter in Australian history when Aboriginal children were forcibly separated from their families, language, and cultural practices. Today, the site serves as a place of remembrance and healing for communities affected by these policies.
The building is located on Rinkin Street and operates today as an educational center where visitors can learn about the history and impact of the institution. Guided tours are recommended to gain a deeper understanding of the site's significance and the stories of those who lived there.
Former resident Aunty Isabel Reid, who passed away but left a lasting legacy, became a powerful voice advocating for recognition of the rights and experiences of children who lived at the institution. Her testimony continues to shape how visitors understand this difficult history.
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