Jimmy the Bear When the Australian Orphanage Museum officially opened on Saturday, 1 April 2023, a woman stopped in on her way to catch the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from North Geelong. She carried with her a very special companion. Her name was Renata. As children, she and her sister spent time at Dalwood Children’s […]
More InformationA Brush, A Case and School Work. The Australian Orphanage Museum received three deeply personal items from Care Leaver Debbie Bell (née Smith): a brush, a school case, and her schoolwork in a folder. Ordinary as they may seem, these objects carry powerful memories of her childhood in foster care. This photo is of Debbie […]
More InformationDonations Tell a Story of Recognition and Encouragement for a Care Leaver Three engraved trophies were recently donated to the Australian Orphanage Museum by Care Leaver Bobbie Andrews. She was in Glastonbury Children’s Home in Geelong. They offer valuable insight into how achievement was recognised within “care” during the 1970s. The awards date from 1971 […]
More InformationA few changes to the operations of the Australian Orphanage Museum: Entrance is now via Fitzroy St ONLY. Opening Hours are Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 10am-4pm. Group bookings by appointment only. Phone: 0425 204 747 to book. We can’t wait to see you there!
More InformationJanuary 2025 renovations at Australian Orphanage Museum. More to come.
More InformationReport by Karen the Curator In March 2023, CLAN staff took Karen the Curator around Geelong to look at the sites and premises which were once children’s Homes and Orphanages. One such premises is now the junior campus of the Christian College in Belmont. Geelong and Western District Protestant Orphanage was originally in Herne Hill […]
More InformationThe Australian Orphanage Museum has welcomed the mysterious donation of a nearly century-old item to its collection. The candle invitation joins a rich collection of orphanage memorabilia from around the country housed at the museum.
More InformationRecently, the Australian Orphanage Museum was given a donation of boxing and wrestling trophies and medals, plus some newspaper articles by Care Leaver Cyril Ellis. Cyril was in St Augustine’s Boys’ Home during the 1950s and 1960s and was part of the successful boxing and wrestling team. He was taught boxing and wrestling by Brother […]
More InformationOn 1 April 2023, Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, officiated at the long-awaited opening of the Australian Orphanage Museum in Geelong. The opening included a luncheon and dinner at the Geelong Cats AFL club and the day was attended by around 150 Clannies (care leavers). You can read more about the opening in James Taylor’s […]
More InformationDid you know that the green jacket worn by ex-Royal Commissioner Jennifer Coate is in Australian Orphanage Museum in Care Leavers Activism Room? Jen also donated $150 towards the framing of the jacket for the exhibition. Thanks to Jen for this kind donation!
More InformationOn Saturday 1 April 2023, the Australian Orphanage Museum will finally open its doors and welcome guests from all over Australia to its official opening by the Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles. Watch this space for photographs and reports about our long-awaited grand opening!
More InformationIn July 2022, the AOM welcomed a group of Australian historians, who were attending the annual conference of the Australian Historical Association at Deakin University’s Geelong campus.
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