Minda Inc
Encyclopedia
Minda Incorporated, established in 1898, provides support to children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Adelaide
, South Australia
and is the largest non-Government disability support organisation in the state. It provides accommodation (in the community and at its Brighton campus), community support and employment.
The main facility is in the beachside suburb of Brighton
, with another facility at what was Blackwood
. The organisation was originally formed to provide support and lodging for children with intellectual disabilities. Now the society supports 1050 adults and children. Staff look after 340 people on campus as well as 204 people in the community, with more receiving other services.
. After lobbying by concerned citizens, the government promised £500 towards a better quality institution specifically for children, provided that a similar amount was raised from donations. This target was achieved and in 1897 a home was purchased on Fullarton Road, Fullarton
. The home was registered as the Home for Weakminded Children, but was called Minda, from a Kaurna
word meaning 'place of shelter and protection'. The first children moved in during May 1898.
A larger property was bought at Brighton in 1909, and with further government support a new and larger home was erected. This was incorporated as Minda Home in September 1911. Further buildings and additions were built over the next two decades, and by 1934 Minda operated a farm and dormitory at Blackwood.
In 1980, 55 hectares of Craigburn Farm was donated for inclusion in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park
as part of an agreement to allow subdivision of land south of the Sturt River in Flagstaff Hill
. The major part of the balance of the farm at Blackwood was sold in the 1990s and forms the major part of Craigburn Farm
, a major housing development. In 2007 the state government
announced that the farm's dam would be included in an enlarged Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, building on the original donation and saving the dam from demolition.
that the word "minda" has come to be used as an offensive slang term for a person with an intellectual disability, and as an insult.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
and is the largest non-Government disability support organisation in the state. It provides accommodation (in the community and at its Brighton campus), community support and employment.
The main facility is in the beachside suburb of Brighton
Brighton, South Australia
Brighton is a coastal suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, situated between Seacliff and Glenelg and aside Holdfast Bay. Some notable features of the area are the Brighton-Seacliff Yacht Club, the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club, the Brighton Jetty, and its excellent beach...
, with another facility at what was Blackwood
Blackwood, South Australia
Blackwood is a south eastern suburb located in the foothills of Adelaide, South Australia.-History:The first use of the name "Blackwood" appears to have been before 1880, in relation to the "Blackwood Inn", a small hotel located where the Belair Hotel now stands, and was probably derived from the...
. The organisation was originally formed to provide support and lodging for children with intellectual disabilities. Now the society supports 1050 adults and children. Staff look after 340 people on campus as well as 204 people in the community, with more receiving other services.
History
Prior to 1898, children with intellectual disabilities were housed along with adults in the lunatic asylum at ParksideParkside, South Australia
Parkside is an inner southern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the City of Unley.-History:The suburb was once home to the mental health campus of the Royal Adelaide Hospital...
. After lobbying by concerned citizens, the government promised £500 towards a better quality institution specifically for children, provided that a similar amount was raised from donations. This target was achieved and in 1897 a home was purchased on Fullarton Road, Fullarton
Fullarton, South Australia
Fullarton is an inner-southern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Unley.-References:...
. The home was registered as the Home for Weakminded Children, but was called Minda, from a Kaurna
Kaurna language
"Kaurna" is the language of the Kaurna people, an Australian aboriginal ethnic group, in South Australia. It was historically spoken on the Adelaide Plains from Crystal Brook and Clare in the north, to Cape Jervis in the south. It became extinct in the 19th century but was revived and reconstructed...
word meaning 'place of shelter and protection'. The first children moved in during May 1898.
A larger property was bought at Brighton in 1909, and with further government support a new and larger home was erected. This was incorporated as Minda Home in September 1911. Further buildings and additions were built over the next two decades, and by 1934 Minda operated a farm and dormitory at Blackwood.
In 1980, 55 hectares of Craigburn Farm was donated for inclusion in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park
Sturt Gorge Recreation Park
The Sturt Gorge Recreation Park is located in Bellevue Heights, South Australia. It channels the Sturt River down to the Adelaide Plains....
as part of an agreement to allow subdivision of land south of the Sturt River in Flagstaff Hill
Flagstaff Hill, South Australia
-Federal:Flagstaff Hill is covered by one Federal Electoral Division, the federal Division of Boothby, whose representative is Dr Andrew Southcott.-State:...
. The major part of the balance of the farm at Blackwood was sold in the 1990s and forms the major part of Craigburn Farm
Craigburn Farm, South Australia
Craigburn Farm is a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia near the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, maintaining many parks and reserves throughout the suburb...
, a major housing development. In 2007 the state government
Government of South Australia
The form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
announced that the farm's dam would be included in an enlarged Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, building on the original donation and saving the dam from demolition.
Slang usage
The organisation is so well established in South AustraliaSouth Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
that the word "minda" has come to be used as an offensive slang term for a person with an intellectual disability, and as an insult.