Former Saint John's orphanage, Goulburn, holds historical place

As a large population hub, Goulburn had several orphanages operated by religious organisations.

They included the Salvation Army's Gill Memorial Boys Home from 1936 to 1976, Saint Saviour's (Anglican) Girls Home from 1929 to 1969, Saint Joseph's Girls Home run by the Sisters of Mercy from 1907 to 1978 and its male equivalent - Saint John's in Mundy Street from 1912 until 1978.

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The former two were designed by Goulburn's renowned architect, EC Manfred.

Historian Jo Henwood previously told The Post that they were a continuation of an orphanage in Clinton Street, also operated by the Sisters of Mercy from 1864 to the early 1900s. Bishop William Lanigan had purchased and renovated the former Hayes Mill at the corner of Bourke and Clinton Streets for the purpose.

But in 1912 Bishop John Gallagher laid the foundation stone for Saint John's. It soon became home to 100 boys.

A heritage assessment in the early 2000s by Eric Martin and Associates stated that Sr Mary Benignus Bowe was placed in charge.

It underwent several later additions, including a west wing and chapel in 1919, an east end and a rear room in the 1920s, a hall in 1932 and modification and extension of the south wing in 1938.

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Ms Henwood said life there was very regulated.

"One of the great things about Saint John's was that the boys saw themselves as sportsmen," she told The Post.

"There were chores in the morning, 7.15am Mass, school work and sport."

Newcastle man and reunion organiser Phil Merigan lived at the orphanage from 1960 to 1969 after being placed there at age five.

In 2014 he recalled the generosity of Goulburn people in donating food and clothing to the facility.

"...The nuns were tough but fair. We had three meals a day although we always thought we were starving," he said.

He spoke highly of the Mother Superior, Sister Genevieve Cummins and Sister Madeleine Lawrence, with whom he and other ex-residents stayed in contact with until their passing in 2002 and 2012 respectively.

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Some 2500 boys passed through the institution up until its 1978 closure.

Youth with a Mission rented the facility from 1979 to 1994, Mr Martin's study stated. An occasional caretaker was put in place until the Catholic Church sold the building to current owner John Ferrara in 1999/2000.

He secured approval for a 63-unit retirement development with Peter Madew in 2004 but the project did not proceed. It was resurrected in 2012 and expanded to 76 units across seven stages. Again, it did not progress after hitting heritage hurdles. The council requested a conservation management plan for the old orphanage, which was not furnished.

Now Mr Ferrara has flagged 450 residential apartments in a six to eight-storey building on the site. He has not lodged a DA but told The Post he'd had preliminary architectural plans drawn up and held early talks with council planners.

The main structure has been almost destroyed by fires over the years but Mr Ferrara said he'd prefer not to demolish it.

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However the 2.5 hectare site is also on the market for $7.5 million, pitching the 76-unit approved development and stating the main building "is for demolition."

Council officers were due to inspect its structural stability this week following another small fire in the early hours of Tuesday.

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