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Objects

Here are some of the objects that the National Museum has collected.



Clontarf strap #2

Clontarf strap #2

An X-ray scan of a leather strap made by Bill Brennan, who grew up in Clontarf Boys’ Town, WA, shows internal metal reinforcements inserted to give the strap more strength. Read more >

My Ireland

My Ireland

‘My Ireland’ is the name that Mary Brownlee gave to the apron that was given to her by Sister Judith Kelly, at St. Joseph’s Home, Kincumber, NSW. Read more >

The cross was a knife for us

The cross was a knife for us

Award-winning film maker and visual artist, Rachael Romero, writes about the image of the knife that was used in a theatre production at the Pines (Convent of the Good Shepherd): Read more >

St Benedict for Bindoon boys

St Benedict for Bindoon boys

Here, Oliver Cosgrove shares the St Benedict’s Medal which was given to all the boys at Boys’ Town, Bindoon, WA. The article sadly makes light of child slave labour at Bindoon. Read more >

Don’t let me catch you back here

Don’t let me catch you back here

This holy card was given to Rachael, on her leaving The Pines by a fellow resident. Read more >

Art has always saved me

Art has always saved me

Rachael Romero’s artistic talent gave her a reprieve from slaving in the laundry at The Pines. Read more >

M’o'mento of slavery

M’o'mento of slavery

The Sisters of the Good Shepherd ran commercial laundries which serviced many businesses, including hopsitals, hotels and wealthy households. Doing all the unpaid, hard labour in hot conditions were teenage girls who were sent the convent because they were considered to be in “moral danger”. Read more >

Map of The Pines

Map of The Pines

Rachael Romero shares the map she drew at the age of 15 while living at the Convent of the Good Shepherd also known as “The Pines”. Rachael’s map includes the site of the laundry where the young female residents worked. Read more >

I am free

I am free

Rachael Romero still has a drawing and a note she wrote on freedom, in 1968, aged 15, at The Pines in South Australia. Read more >

Clontarf strap

Clontarf strap

This leather strap was made by William ‘Bill’ Brennan when a man in his 50s as a copy of the ones he made as a boy in the leather workshop of Clontarf Christian Brothers Home. It was offered to the National Museum by Bill’s brother, Anthony. Read more >

Clontarf concrete

Clontarf concrete

This is a piece of concrete, not much bigger in size than a hand. It was rescued from the demolition of the swimming pool at the former Clontarf Boys Town Christian Brothers Home in Western Australia. Read more >

Protest napkin

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. Read more >

Blick bear

Blick bear

Atoy bear made by inmates of Pentridge prison was a rare treasure for Jeanette Blick as a child in Orana Methodist Home. Read more >

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... a project to document and commemorate stories of Australians who as children experienced institutional care