fbpx

Cafs launches History & Memory Centre

23 February 2023

On Thursday, Cafs newly re-imagined History & Memory Centre was opened in the presence of invited guests including Former Residents of the Ballarat Orphanage and the Ballarat Children’s Home.

 

The project, led by Ashtree Projects in collaboration with past residents, has been 2 years in development. The aim of the Centre is to provide a more contemporary response to the diversity of former resident experiences and utilise materials from Cafs Heritage Collection in a more engaging way.

 

“The original Heritage Centre met the needs of the organisation and our community at the time of its inception,” said Cafs CEO, Wendy Sturgess. “This upgrade has been designed in consultation with Former Residents, creates a place to acknowledge their past and captures the range of experiences of children who resided at these institutions.”

 

The History and Memory Centre is not open to the public, however, Cafs’ Heritage and History Team provides services to support the rights of former residents, care leavers and their families to access records the organisation holds.  For all records, search and access enquiries please contact our Heritage and History Service Team on 5337 3333.

CAFS stories

Cafs Thread Together is leading the change in the local community


The new Cafs Thread Together clothing hub in Ballarat is a life changing moment for those who walk through its doors. However, it isn’t just the “shoppers” who are discovering its power but also the volunteers.

Read more

How Step Up helped a young boy overcome violent behaviour toward his mum


Dylan was the last child anyone expected to be violent or aggressive. He’s the quiet one in the family. When Dylan was nine, he started lashing out at home.

Read more

How June and Robert found the right time to become Cafs foster carers


Becoming foster carers can be a life affirming experience. June and Robert always knew that fostering would be in their future; it was just a question of timing. 

Read more

How Cafs financial counselling helped
a dad battling with cancer


When you’re a self-employed dad, being sick comes with more concerns than your own health. With no money coming in, Tony was stressed about his family. 

Read more

Housing Support: How Cafs ATAR team helped a father avoid eviction


Bruce was admitted to hospital for three months, and while he was in there, he asked his adult sons to take care of the home he'd been renting for the past eleven years.

Read more

How Cafs helped Chloe and her family find hope


Chloe was 16, and her young life was falling apart. She’d dropped out of school and had started drinking and taking drugs. She also started stealing and self-harming.

Read more

How Cafs day stay helped one young family establish a healthy bedtime routine


For Bianca and Josh, the excitement of becoming new parents was giving way to exhaustion. They were desperate for more sleep.

Read more
Client Engagement Team 1800 692 237

Like and follow us on:

Head Office
115 Lydiard Street North
Ballarat VIC 3350

Keep in touch

Keep up-to-date with Cafs’ news by subscribing to our newsletter.

Cafs acknowledges our past. In the spirit of reconciliation, we give deepest respect to Australia's First Nations Peoples. Their histories, their stories, their resilience. Their connection to culture and land. The wisdom of their Elders past, present and emerging.

Skip to content