In celebration of International Women’s Day there is an information stall on Tuesday 8 March 10-2pm in the Church St/St John’s Mall, Parramatta.The stall is part of the campaign to seek the dedication of the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct as a national heritage destination and in also promoting other women’s organisations and International Women’s Day events.
Tag: Parramatta
Growing up in Parramatta Girls Home
On 17 February, 2011, author and Forgotten Australian, Maree Giles spoke to staff at the National Museum of Australia. Maree summarises the history of the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct and her experiences at Parramatta Girls Home when she was aged 16.
The examination room
Girls who entered Children's Homes were often subjected, without explanation, to harsh physical exmainations. Wilma Robb shares a photo of the table used for internal examinations at Parramatta Girls Home.
Home that is away from home?
An article from Pix, May 31 1958 features photographs of the Church of England Boys Home, Carlingford, NSW.
Hands off our heritage
Building 105 within the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct is currently the subject of an application for conversion into an information technology facility. The Female Factory Action Group wants the Precinct to be declared a National Heritage Site.
Protest napkin
Wilma nee Wilma Cassidy held up this napkin in the Great Hall of Parliament House during the National Apology to Forgotten Australians and former Child Migrants on 16 November 2009.
I was caged
I am Wilma Robb and I live in Canberra. I am a Forgotten Australian. I went into care when I was five years old for around about 12 months. There is no record of me leaving the orphanage in Sydney, which is Carlingford.
Invisible thread
Maree Giles is a former inmate of Parramatta Girls' Home and is now an Australian author, editor, poet, journalist, creative writing teacher and mentor, and the mother of two grown-up children.
No more silent tears
Leigh Westin was a resident of Scarba House and Parramatta Girls’ Home, both in New South Wales. Here she shares her latest poem.
Reap as you sow
In his essay 'Reap as you sow' Bernie Matthews describes the brutal treatment – and criminalisation – of children in institutions.
