RED SHIELD HOSTEL FOR SERVICEWOMEN
IN A HOUSE CALLED "HEATHFIELD",
KOOYONG ROAD, TOORAK, MELBOURNE, VIC
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

Sir Keith Murdoch made a gift of his house called "Heathfield" at Toorak in Melbourne to the Salvation Army to establish the Red Shield Hostel for Servicewomen on 23 January 1943. The Hostel for was officially opened by Commissioner W. R. Dalziel.

Sir Keith and Lady Murdoch had left a number of carpets and curtains, pictures and a grand piano and radio, and many furnishings including some fine antique pieces, so the Hostel could have a "delightfully homelike air". The Hostel could accommodate 63 ladies, some in large dormitories, and large rooms that could take three or four beds, and in single rooms. For 23 Shilling and 6 Pence per week the girls could stay in a large dormitory and receive two hot meals a day.

The Hostel was staffed by four Salvation Army officers with Major E. Goodman as hostess, and Mrs. Captain Adams as the trained nurse.

WAAAF Corporal Nancy Edna Erickson (98827) was one of many WAAAFs, AWAS and WRANS who stayed at this Red Shield Hostel for Servicewomen. Nancy stayed at "Heathfield" whilst she was being trained nearby at Toorak.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Cheryl Lunnon for her assistance with this web page. Cheryl is a volunteer in pastoral care, writing stories and biographies for some of the residents at an aged care home on the south side of Brisbane, in Queensland. Nancy Edna Ritchie (Nee Erickson) is one of the ex servicewomen that she is helping.

REFERENCES

Weekly Times (Melbourne) 13 January 1943

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 24 September 2017

This page last updated 04 March 2020