The History of Child Welfare in Australia

This exhibition room displays the History of Child Welfare in Australia from the First Fleet in 1788 until the 1980s. The main feature wall has a timeline that describes the development of Orphanages, Children’s  Homes, Missions, and Foster Care.

Artefacts on display come from Orphanages and Children’s Homes from every state in Australia. A slate tile or a brick might seem ordinary to some, but for Care Leavers, these items may be the only tangible connection to their childhood, especially if those buildings that once housed them were demolished.

This exhibition highlights the history of the Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) and its activism to secure redress for Care Leavers. Posters from silent protests are on display, alongside items from the Royal Commission rooms, donations from commissioners and politicians involved in this work. TV reports illustrate how CLAN played a pivotal role in achieving the Senate Inquiry into the Forgotten  Australians and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

This themed exhibition focuses on the memories of adults recalling their childhood in care. Direct quotes share personal experiences, while artefacts and photos from orphanages, children’s homes, and missions bring these stories to life. Many items have been generously donated by care leavers and may evoke memories of your own childhood.