2. Royal Park: from Parklands to a Home: 1840s-1920s

As early as 1841, consideration was given to reserving land in Melbourne for recreational purposes. In January 1844, the Melbourne Corporation (later City Council) petitioned the Governor in Sydney to grant a reserve of 2560 acres north of the city of Melbourne for 'the public advantage and recreation'. Debate and arguments followed regarding the ability of the financially troubled Melbourne Corporation to adequately maintain reserved parkland for public use. It was not until 1850 that this site was designated as part of a recreation reserve. In 1852, following the proclamation of the Colony of Victoria, portions of the reserve were sold when the suburbs of Carlton and North Melbourne were formed, and in May 1854, an area of 700 acres called Royal Park, was 'reserved for public uses within the Colony of Victoria'.

In April 1858, an area of 142 acres was excised from the north-western corner of Royal Park, for an 'experimental farm' bounded by the Moonee Ponds Creek. The land was cleared of existing vegetation, subdivided into blocks, fenced and cultivated with various experimental cropping techniques. The farm carried out research into the best methods of sowing, fertilising and reaping crops, including experiments with new crop varieties. Despite the success of the Model Farm, the Government decided in 1860 that it must be self-supporting. Disputes arose, and the farm manager resigned. The farm was subsequently closed down by the Government and was leased for farming to a tenant.

In 1866, a portion of the 'Model Farm' land was nominated by the Government to be reserved for the site of a future Industrial School to care for neglected and orphaned children. In 1875, the first stage of the school, the Girls' Division and staff and services wings, was built and the buildings occupied. However, 1879 saw a change in government policy from institutional care to a system of 'boarding-out' to foster parents. By May 1880, the girls at Royal Park were relocated to the Geelong Industrial School, and boys were moved from Sunbury to Royal Park, as an interim measure until 'boarding-out' places could be arranged. By 1881, the boys had been removed and both Royal Park and the Industrial School buildings were left vacant. In July 1882, the Royal Park Industrial School site and buildings were given to the Immigrants' Aid Society by the government, for use as a Home for Houseless and Destitute Persons. At this time the Male Division of the Society was relocated from St Kilda Road to Royal Park. In 1914, the remaining operations, including female and child inmates, were transferred from St Kilda Road to Royal Park.

The change in name of the Society to Victorian Homes for Aged and Infirm, in 1902, was followed by another in 1925, to Victorian Benevolent Home and Hospital for the Aged and Infirm. By this time the majority of inmates no longer represented a range of ages, but were primarily elderly. This constituted the true start of geriatric care for the institution.