Allambie Reception Centre was a former reception, treatment, classification and transit centre for children admitted to the care of the Victorian Government in Australia. The centre operated between 1961 and 1990 and was initially managed by the Family Welfare Division of the Social Welfare Department, later the Department of Community Welfare Services and Community Services Victoria. Located at 70 Elgar Road, Burwood, Victoria, the centre was designed to accommodate up to 100 children following a breakdown in home release, foster care or a children's home placement.History and facilitiesInitially called Kildonan and managed by the Presbyterian Church, the Victorian Government purchased the institution in 1960 and managed it under the agency of the Family Welfare Division of the Social Welfare Department. The Department had responsibility for young people under two separate divisions; the Youth Welfare Division (children aged 14 to 18 years and juvenile offenders) and the Family Welfare Division (children aged 0–14 years). Opened with 90 beds for children of both sexes, Allambie was expanded to accommodate babies and todlers when the nursery was opened in 1964. Prior to its opening, children had been housed at Turana Youth Training Centre in Parkville. The move to Allambie meant that young children of both sexes could be accommodated together.The Education Department operated a school in the grounds of Allambie, although some children attended schools in the community.