Turana

Turana was a government-run reception centre established in 1955 in Royal Park, Parkville. It was formerly known as the Royal Park Depot. Turana was the sole reception centre for children committed to State 'care' until 1961 when Allambie became the main government reception centre. From 1961, the site housed the Turana Remand Centre and the Turana Youth Training Centre. (Baltara reception Centre was located on the same site from 1968 to 1992.) In 1993, Turana was closed and the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre opened on the same site.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Case Study No. 30 - The response of Turana, Winlaton and Baltara, and the Victoria Police and the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria to allegations of child sexual abuse – heard from numerous victims who suffered sexual abuse at Turana Youth Training Centre (in particular) and found how horrific and cruel the abuse was at the institution. In the case study it found that:

  • Staff (known as “screws”) at Turana were known for their brutality and physical punishments. For example, in the maximum maximum-security section known as Poplar House, it was common for boys to be bashed quite badly and the punishments meted out were always degrading.

  • There was no supervision of the dormitories at night time. This is when most of the most boys were sexually and physically abused;

  • Complaints about the abuse were met with inaction and punishment;

  • There was no medical treatment provided for injuries or medical conditions;

  • Medical examinations were often painful and degrading; and

  • Wards who ran away from Turana to escape abuse were generally returned to Turana by the police. In some instances, they were beaten by police and usually no inquiry was made by the police as to why the boys ran away.

Moody Law is currently representing clients who were victims of sexual and physical abuse by staff at Turana.

We invite former victims 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.