The City of Ballarat has this week released concept plans to acknowledge the past at the old Ballarat Orphanage.
Four sites have been chosen for the inclusion of interpretive elements following discussions with a small group of former residents.
Since opening in 1866, the Victoria Street site over the years was known as the Ballarat District Orphan Asylum, Ballarat Orphanage and Ballarat Children’s Home until its closure in 1983.
The facility then entered a new era as St Paul’s College and then Damascus College, before being purchased by developers in 2011.
Cr Samantha McIntosh says its important the people of 200 Victoria Street are not forgotten.
“What we want to know is that whatever we put there provides acknowledgement of the past experiences.”
“It should also support and educate those people that are visiting the area,” Cr. McIntosh said.
The four sites include;
- Elm Reserve (toddler’s park)
- Magnolia Reserve
- Entrance to toddler’s block (now an Early Learning Centre)
- Adjacent to the school room (now the shopping centre redevelopment).
