Chapter 4: The Development of the Charitable and Welfare System

This chapter will explore the development of the Tasmanian charitable system. The following institutions are included: New Town Charitable Institute (1879–1912), Launceston Invalid Depot (LID) (1868–1912), Brickfields Invalid Depot (1859–1882), and Cascades Invalid Depot (1867–1879). In doing so, regional characteristics will be considered to understand local influences on welfare regimes. The variety of practices undertaken in both North and South Tasmania, and how they were influenced by existing infrastructure and personnel from the convict system, will be explored. The role of these early pauper institutions is investigated within the context of the postpenal identity of Tasmania. In doing so, a greater understanding of the development of policies surrounding poor relief within the Australian historical context is provided. While this chapter considers the influence of Tasmania’s penal history on the treatment of impoverished people and how that changed over time, first it will be considered in contrast to the English and Welsh poor law systems and the developments on the Australian mainland.