Description

One of Australia’s oldest remaining orphanage buildings, the foundation stone from 237 Cecil Street was laid in 1855. Designed by architects George and Schneider, this historic building retains original features such as heritage tiled corridors and a carved wooden staircase. Featuring stained-glass windows created by leading designer, William Montgomery, the chapel dates from 1905 and was designed by prominent church architects, Kempson and Connolly. Now home to MacKillop Family Services, there is also a Heritage Centre which provides an insight into the lives of more than 100,000 children who lived there.

What's On

We will host a tour through our 1850s building, pointing out both the architectural and social history. The building hosts a heritage museum that includes relics from the building and others when it was an orphanage. We will include video footage of children playing in the building from its time as an orphanage and seek to have former residents who grew up in the building present on the tour to share their stories and answer questions.

The event will conclude in our chapel, where we will host information about our services today, and how children unable to live at home are supported in the modern-day child protection system.