Churinga

Special residential school

One of the most advanced residential centres for mentally handicapped children in Australia, at the time of opening in Greensborough in 1967, the St. John of God centre, Churinga, off Diamond Creek Rd, Greensborough opened in July of that year.

The centre moved from Cheltenham to make way for Southland, provided residential care for over 300 mentally handicapped boys in since it was established in 1953. Run by the St. John of God Brothers the centre is the culmination of planning carried out in Europe, England and the United States

It provided residential care for boys with a developmental disability aged 7 to 16 years old. . Some girls were admitted as day students in the later years of operation. It operated 1967-1990

Photo shows view of Churinga, Diamond Creek Road, Greensborough in 1978. In the foreground animals graze on the freeway reserve (now developed). In the centre of the photograph is the Greenhills Primary School.

In 2004 Steve Herbert MP initiated a community-service award program for young people. Among those recognised was Rodney Reece of Churinga Support Service, for his work in ceramics and the arts.

Source Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) March 3 2004

In 2010 it operates as an employment support service and other services for people with a disability.