Historical information

The Melbourne Benevolent Asylum opened in 1851. Due to a lack of other institutions in the colony at the time it was established, the Benevolent Asylum initially accommodated a wide range of people in need. This included children, until 1857 when children were transferred to the Melbourne Orphan Asylum at its new site in Emerald Hill. As Melbourne established more charitable institutions the Benevolent Asylum focused increasingly on housing the aged poor. It relocated from North Melbourne to Cheltenham in 1911. In 1970 it was renamed the Kingston Centre.

Physical description

A black and white image featuring five men standing in front of a table in the centre. Three of the men are wearing aprons, the other two are in shirt sleeves with vests.