Media Release – Sale of 311 Stuart Highway Kilgariff (former St Mary’s Hostel)
The Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory has had a long relationship with the site of the former St Mary’s Hostel (later St Mary’s Children’s Village) in Kilgariff which began in 1946. The street address is now 311 Stuart Highway Kilgariff. In recent years, the property has been leased from the Diocese by Community Housing Central Australia (CHCA) to provide affordable housing and some commercial tenancies.
CHCA have reluctantly concluded that the model is no longer financially viable under the current sublease arrangements and as a result, have given notice that they do not wish to seek an extension upon expiry of the current lease. The Diocese also reluctantly accepts that a mutually satisfactory financially viable solution cannot be found. For quite some years, the Anglican Church in the Northern Territory has faced financial challenges and can no longer afford to keep the site. So, the Diocese has made the difficult decision to sell the property.
We know that the St Mary’s site is of great significance for former residents and Bishop Greg Anderson has recently met with some to personally tell them the news. Ideally, the Diocese will find a buyer who will honour the legacy and heritage of the former residents, including providing access to the chapel with its historic and heritage-listed mural. The Diocese has committed to contributing up to ten per cent of the sale proceeds to recognise, through a practical initiative, the ongoing association former residents have with the site. The Diocese will continue to talk with former residents about this.
Community Housing Central Australia are working with the current residents to seek pathways to alternative housing.
The Diocese is considering what kind of event might be appropriate before the sale is concluded to provide an opportunity for former St Mary’s residents, church members and other interested people to farewell the site before it changes hands.
For further questions, contact the Diocesan Office on (08) 8941 7440.
Bishop Greg Anderson
Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory
31 October 2022
The Information Memorandum of sale
The letter by the Stolen Generation Group to Bishop Anderson, 28 November 2022
Testimony of Daniel Forrester, a member of the Group.
Testimony of Eileen Moseley, a member of the Group.
Bringing Them Home Report. The Northern Territory examples focus on an earlier period in Central Australia but the report provides background to Stolen Generations realities, concerns and ways forward in relation to them.
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