The Ballarat Orphanage has been in the news recently, with concerns that some children may have been buried in unmarked graves on the former site. Authorities investigated, and reported there were no human remains.
However the story brings the issue of orphans and wards of the state to the fore. If you are interested in learning more about the plight of children ‘put up for adoption’, then you can attend -
Adoption and Wardship: Using Ballarat's information resources to trace family
The session run by the Public Record Office Victoria is aimed at people interested in learning more about records and resources that are available to help you research adoption and wardship in Ballarat. Join Sebastian Gurciullo from PROV who is hosting a panel of speakers who will share their knowledge on how to research family and personal history, as well
as resources, support programs and services that are available.
Information about a range of support organisations that can help you with your research will also be provided and their representatives will be available after the presentations for consultation.
Panel members include:
The session will be held at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E.), 102 Stawell St South in Ballarat, from 10am, to 2pm on Wednesday 22 April. The session is free, but you do need to book online via PROV
The Ballarat District Orphan Asylum was built in the mid-1860s it changed to the Ballarat Orphanage in 1909, then to the Ballarat Children’s Homes and was home to more than 4,000 children during its time. It closed in 1968 when the grand original orphanage building was demolished and replaced with smaller cottages. The land fronting Victoria Street was sold to a developer in 2013. There were petitions to save some of the former buildings as a heritage site.
I visited this orphanage, only once, in 1963. Once, because it broke my heart to be mobbed by children, dragging at your clothes for an ounce of affection and acknowledgement. I was not allowed to hug, kiss, cuddle or pick up any of the children. I had no courage to return. It disturbs me to this day, even though it's more than 60 years ago.I am now an old man. I have prayed for them every single day since.
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