Mt Barker Home (Eden Park)

Mt Barker Home (also known as Eden Park Boys Home and the Salvation Army Probationary School for Boys) was a former probationary or reformatory home for boys, situated south-east of Adelaide.

Mt Baker was established in 1900 by the Salvation Army as a home for juvenile offenders or boys considered to have behavioural problems. Afterwards, the Home started to house boys who had been made wards of the State and even though the boys were cared by the Salvation Army, the home was entirely under the control of the South Australian Board for Children’s Welfare and Public Relief. By the 1970s, Mt Barker mainly housed boys with emotional and behavioural problems and by 1981 it was reported that the Home was described as a ‘dumping ground for problem children’.

In 1982, the Home ceased to operate as a Boys’ Home, becoming an alcohol rehabilitation centre, still managed by the Salvation Army.

Both the Royal Commission and the South Australian “The Children in State Commission of Inquiry” heard from witnesses who were residents of Mt Barker and who were physically and sexually abused by members of the Salvation Army, including such members as Captain Kop, Captain Hunt, Captain Osborne, Sergeant Ellis, and Brigadier Lawler.

Moody Law is currently representing a client who has made allegations of being sexually abused by members of the Salvation Army when he was placed at Mt Barker Home as a ward of the State.

We invite former victims and witnesses to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.