Description

Founded by The Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1863, the Abbotsford Convent operated as a monastic site for well over 100 years, through the social traumas caused by the Gold Rush, the Great Depression and the two World Wars. Thousands of women and girls were placed into care here, and while the Convent had a positive impact for some women, providing shelter, food and education in the absence of social welfare, the Convent was also a place of hardship for some, as was often the experience of those in institutionalised care.

Inscribed on the National Heritage List in 2017, the Convent is recognised for demonstrating Australia’s social and welfare history through the lens of a religious and charitable institution. Today, the Abbotsford Convent today is a beloved community hub for creativity, artistic development, wellbeing, learning and its open green spaces.

What's On

Take an architect-led tour, with Rema O’Neill, to explore the different heritage building styles ranging from Early Colonial to European Baroque Revival.
 
Listen to a panel hosted by Abbotsford Convent Foundation CEO Justine Hyde. Featuring David Constantine from Senti, Virginia Blue from Blue Fruit, Mark Jacques from Openwork and Dr Timothy Moore from the National Gallery of Victoria, the panel will reflect on heritage as a creative opportunity and explore how architecture, design and art can keep cultural sites socially relevant and accessible.