Friends of the Orphan Schools

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New Town, TAS
Friends of the Orphan Schools

A volunteer organisation which aims to promote this significant heritage site in southern Tasmania

23/02/2026

Sunday’s Fox’s Feast was attended by descendants of “orphans” both local and interstate.
Richard Watson was presented with a Life Membership, Chris Woods gave a presentation on the children from the north of the state who were admitted to the Orphan Schools and rose petals were scattered in memory of the children who died at the Orphan Schools.
Thank you to everyone who joined us!

13/02/2026

Are you interested to learn more about female convicts and their children? Consider attending this upcoming talk presented at the Ross Female Factory!

26/01/2026

Our tour guides uncover the stories of the clergymen, convicts, orphans and prominent parishioners who have frequented St John's Church since the 1830s. They will invite you to peak behind doors, clamber up stairs and gaze into the rafters of this historically significant building. Consider joining one of our tours to find out more. Information about tour booking can be found on our website: https://www.orphanschool.org.au/register_tour.php

15/12/2025

The President, Dr Dianne Snowden AM, and the Friends of the Orphan Schools Committee, thank you for your ongoing support.

14/12/2025

REPLACEMENT & REINSTALLATION OF ORPHAN SCHOOL CHILDREN SCULPTURES

In April 2025, the bronze sculptures of two orphan school children were stolen from St John’s Park and destroyed for scrap metal. Unveiled in 2022, the sculptures were created by renowned Irish sculptor, Rowan Gillespie as part of our project to highlight the stories of convict women and orphan school children. From the Shadows committed to replacing the sculptures and installing them in a different location at St John’s Park.

Thank-you to the generosity of our supporters we have moved closer to our target of $70,000.

Rowan Gillespie has recreated the sculptures, and they will be shipped to Hobart before the end of the year. The design has been slightly modified to make the sculptures more secure. We are waiting to hear from the Department of Health about the new location for the sculptures and are setting tentative dates for the unveiling in early 2026.

Donations: If you would like to donate, please go to our website www.fromtheshadows.org.au or https://www.gofundme.com/f/replace-from-the-shadows-orphan-school-sculptures.

Direct deposit details:

BSB 807009

Acct. No: 30084819

From the Shadows Inc.

15/11/2025

Have you heard of Fox’s Feast and want to know more about the history of this significant event? Read more below!

Fox’s Feast is named after John Fox who spent his early years in an orphanage, worked as a waterman and at 19 was a convict transported to Van Diemen’s Land for theft.

After gaining his Ticket of Leave, he operated a ferrying business on the River Derwent. Over the years he saved up his money and upon his death bequeathed almost 500 pounds to the Queen’s Orphan Schools to brighten the lives of the children living there.

Once a year, the children were treated to a picnic at various sites from New Norfolk to Rosny Hill to the Cascades.

There were also medals in his name presented to the best boy and girl at the annual awards ceremony.

The Friends of the Orphan School would love to hear from anyone who knows of the existence of one of these medals!

Image from Hobart Mercury, Wednesday 5 March 1862, page 2.

30/08/2025

Recently at our AGM, committee members Dianne and Jane thanked Richard Watson for his years as a valued member on our committee and as a tour guide around the St John's site.
Richard is connected to the site through an ancestor who was at the Orphan Schools and also through his grandfather, Leonard Woodhouse, who was Superintendent of St John's Park. These connections gave Richard a great personal insight into the history of the site.
Through hours of trawling through Trove, Richard has unearthed many fascinating photos and articles connected with the Orphan Schools and often shared these in our newsletter. Thank you Richard!

28/06/2025

The Friends of the Orphan Schools sadly advise that the bronze plaques at the Old Sunday School have been stolen.

The Memorial Garden, an initiative of Friends of the Orphan Schools Life Members Joyce Purtscher and Rosie Davidson, was opened on 26 February 2012 by Aileen Ashford, Commissioner for Children, and Mrs Shirley Kerin, descendant of Orphan School children. Joyce and Joe Purtscher, with the assistance of Andrew Cocker, created the Memorial Garden over the summer of 2011-2012. Mrs Kerin provided a generous donation of plants.

Four bronze plaques were placed around the edge of the garden, with the names of over 400 children, including Aboriginal children, who died in care between 1828-1879. The majority were buried in St John’s Burial Ground in unmarked graves.

In late May 2025, the plaques were stolen. They remain missing. The Friends of the Orphan Schools are currently investigating options for the replacement of the plaques.

Images of the individual plaques can be seen in the comment section below.

02/06/2025

The sculptures, representing two Orphan School children were … From the Shadows Inc needs your support for Replace 'From the Shadows' Orphan School Sculptures

18/04/2025

FROM THE SHADOWS UPDATE
Thank-you for your overwhelming support after the recent theft and destruction of the Children's Sculptures from St John's Park, New Town.

Parts of the Sculptures have been recovered in small pieces. It is not likely they can be reconstructed from these remnants and we are exploring replacement options with Irish sculptor, Rowan Gillespie.

Thank-you, too, to Tas Police for their prompt and efficient assistance.

We hope to create a photographic record of the Children's Sculptures. If you have any photos to share, please send them to [email protected]

Dianne Snowden, Secretary,
for From the Shadows Inc.
https://fromtheshadows.org.au/

30/03/2025

Many thanks to everyone who supported our Book Fair. We had a great selection of books and other items for sale and now have extra funds to put towards research and future publications. We appreciate your support!

Address

St John's Park Precinct
New Town, TAS
7008

Website

http://www.orphanschool.org.au/

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