Kildonan Homes, Burwood operated a cottage system that included a school and a kindergarten. The cottages were larger than later family group homes, each housed up to 28 children who were supervised by rostered staff.

‘The cottage system has been adopted because it will give the atmosphere of family life rather than that of an institution.’

In 1940, the homes accommodated up to 50 boys and girls aged from two to 11 years. At 11 years of age, boys were sent to Kilmany Park Farm Home for Boys (1923–78) aged between 10 and 16.

An additional block accommodating 25 toddlers was completed in 1941.

• ‘New Home for Children’, The Argus, 6 June 1936, p32.
• Kildonan, Burwood (1937 – c. 1961), Find and Connect