For over 80 years the federation architecture of St John's Orphanage loomed atop the elevated southern suburbs of Goulburn. Officially opened in December 1912 and abandoned in 1994, the building housed approximately 2,500 individuals during its operation. Once populated by orphans or children whose living parents were unable to care for them, the 24,000 square meter lot quickly became a site for urbexers after its closure. Withstanding 3 major fires, it was demolished in 2023.
I visited the site as a storm approached from the south, peering through wild mustard and gridded metal fencing to document the debris. Large signs warned against unauthorized entry and the threat of asbestos. Little was recognizable but the plain struck brickwork - though the masonry boundary wall and main gate entrance on Mundy St is untouched but blocked by accumulated foliage.