Historical information

Somerville Homes operated from 1965 to 1981. Somerville Homes came into existence in 1965. The homes were named in honour of Margaret Somerville MBE who helped evacuate 95 children from Croker Island to Sydney in 1942 and who returned to Croker Island with the children after the war and continued as a house mother and care giver until 1965. A book entitled "They Crossed A Continent", the story of Margaret Somerville's epic journey was produced. Somerville Homes was established in 1964 when the Methodist Overseas Mission began to discuss the closure of the Croker Island Mission and the transfer of all children to smaller group homes in the Darwin area. It had links with both the Methodist Overseas Mission and the United Church in the Northern Territory. Somerville Homes ran the Somerville Cottage Homes in Darwin from 1968 through to the 1980s. In 1981 Somerville Homes changed its name to Somerville Community Services.

Somerville Homes was established as an organisation in 1964 when the Methodist Overseas Mission began to discuss the closure of the Croker Island Mission and the transfer of all children to smaller group homes in the Darwin area. A Somerville Homes Council was created with the aims:

(a) to carry out charitable purposes of providing total care for children and young people in the Northern Territory of Australia and elsewhere; (b) to establish and maintain homes for children and young people, provide family counselling, arrange or assist in the arranging of adoptive or foster homes, provide after care and generally provide all such services in its own capacity or in co-operation with others, constituting the total care of the child or young person.

The organisation had links with both the Methodist Overseas Mission and the United Church in the Northern Territory. It became an incorporated body with a Board in 1971. After 1977 it retained links with the Uniting Church, Northern Synod.

Somerville Homes ran the Somerville Cottage Homes in Darwin from 1968 through to the 1980s. In 1980-81when the organisation expanded its services, it changed its name to Somerville Community Services.

Albert Kuipers is not mentioned by name in the online information available.

Physical description

Kuipers is pictured in shirtsleeves taking notes.

Inscriptions & markings

"Albert Kuipers - Somerville Ch Homes Darwin"