orphanage

In May 1854 the Mayor of Geelong opened the appeal for funds to establish an orphanage.The reason why they built the orphanage is because amid community concerns about orphaned, abandoned and neglected children in Geelong. Within a short time Andrew MacWilliams, architected, had drawn up the plans and early 1855 building commenced. The ceremony for laying the foundation stone was held on March the fourteenth. By the end of the year the building was able to take in 20 orphans. It was not fully completed for a few years. The geelong advitiser described the stone laying ceremony as one of the most successful public demonstrations for some time in geelong.