The Australian Orphanage Museum:

The Australian Orphanage Museum in Geelong, Victoria, stands as a powerful tribute to the lives of children who grew up in state 'care' across Australia. The museum is dedicated to preserving the stories, belongings and memories of individuals who spent their formative years in orphanages, missions, children's homes and foster care in Australia. Making this history visible to all is central to the museum's purpose, as is honouring and validating the unique experiences of 'care' leavers.

The museum was established by the Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) in 2001, starting in Sydney before relocating to Geelong in 2020 with support from Federal Government.

The museum’s collection includes hundreds of artifacts from Australian children's homes, ranging from brickwork, plaques and signs, to everyday items that once shaped the lives of these children. There are also photos, letters and personal belongings which bring individuals stories to life. Many of these objects, while seemingly ordinary, are layered with history and emotion for 'care' leavers, serving as tangible links to the past. The displays allow visitors to understand not only the systemic challenges but also the intimate, human aspects of institutional care.

Below are some photos of exhibits within the museum:

A particularly striking art piece in the museum is 'The Raft of Clan' by artist Peter Daverington (2018); a commissioned work that pays tribute to survivors of childhood abuse and their ongoing fight for justice. The artwork encapsulates both the vulnerability and resilience of children who endured life in institutional care.

The Australian Orphanage Museum plays a vital role in public recognition and education. By documenting and displaying these objects and the stories they hold, the museum gives voice to a social history that for many feels uncomfortably close to home. The legacy of institutional 'care' is woven into the fabric of Australian community and its proximity in time and place perhaps makes it challenging to confront. For years, the shame and stigma surrounding this history kept it hidden and unspoken. The museum challenges this silence, encouraging reflection and understanding as a step toward collective healing.

I was profoundly moved by my visit to the museum and was struck by the power of everyday objects in conveying a history of loss and suffering, coupled with breathtaking strength and resilience.