WARNING: This website contains confronting and disturbing content, and names and images of deceased people. It may not be suitable for children under 15 years. Many of the historical images show an official, sanitised view which did not reflect reality. The faces of some adolescents have been blurred to protect privacy.

Inside the gates

Going through the gate into a Children's Home in 20th century Australia was, for good or bad, entering a different world. Some of those who lived inside the gates as children remember what that world was like.

'It felt as though I had landed on the dark side of the moon'

Limited Release - a slideshow of images

A selection of photographs of Australian children's homes and institutions on the public record, curated by Julie Gough.

Images courtesy: Ann McVeigh; Brisbane City Council Archives; Department of Family and Community Services NSW, Community Services; Diane Tronc; Gordon Briscoe; Manly Library; National Archives of Australia; National Library of Australia; State Library of New South Wales; State Library of Queensland; State Library of Victoria; State Library of Western Australia; State of New South Wales through the Department of Attorney General and Justice and reproduced with the approval of the State Library of New South Wales.

More

Wally Dethlef's 'A history of Wilson Youth Hospital' on the Inside blog

Godfrey Gilmour's 'Orphaning experiences' post on the Inside blog

Rupert Hewison's 'My life inside a children's home' post on the Inside blog

Barbara Lane's 'One man' post on the Inside blog

Wilma Robb's homes and institutions banner up close

Rachael Romero's 'Escape and blood sisters' post on the Inside blog

Read Rachael Romero's 'Those who never left' post on the Inside blog

Ron's 'Underneath there's a lot of scarring' post on the Inside blog

T's 'Forgotten because you're not seen' post on the Inside blog

Main image: Gate detail from the Inside exhibition. Photo: Jeremy Lucas.