Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus.) a member of a home for disadvantaged or delinquent children.

1982

N. Keesing Lily on the Dustbin 80: Many parents of other children at the school are friendly and co-operative. They encourage friendships between their own children and the ‘govos’ or ‘gubbos’ as the state wards call themselves, and invite them home after school and at weekends.