Australian Orphanage Museum Operations

The Australian Government is inviting application via a restricted process to apply to deliver services under the Families and Communities – National Find and Connect Program in 2027–28 to 2029–30. The Museum memorialises the history and experiences of approximately 500,000 children who grew up in facilities, such as orphanages, children's homes and foster ‘care’ throughout Australia, up until the end of 1989. The Museum aims to ensure Australians do not forget the past and are reminded of our responsibility to protect all children in our community. The Museum is operated by Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN), an independent, peak membership body which provides support, advocacy, research and training for survivors of past abuse in child welfare systems in Australia and New Zealand. This includes former state wards, foster children, and children raised in orphanages and other institutions. The objectives of this grant opportunity are: to support the ongoing operational costs of the Museum to assist CLAN with identifying alternative funding sources to support the viability of the Museum to acknowledge and commemorate the experiences of those Australians who grew up in orphanages, children’s homes and other institutions and foster ‘care’ up until 1989.