Beyond the Walls: Sites of Trauma and Suffering, Forgotten Australians and Institutionalisation via Punitive ‘Welfare’

A neglected chapter of Australian public history, the punitive welfare system targeting women and children—known as the 'Forgotten Australians'—is brought to light through the study of derelict sites like the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct (PFFP). The research reveals that institutionalisation could occur even without physical incarceration, with systemic trauma deeply embedded in these sites. Using a personal narrative and policy analysis, the study underscores the potential of PFFP as an educational venue to illuminate this dark history, from convict settlement to modern times. Notably, it highlights the omission of this topic from Australia's national curriculum, advocating for its inclusion to foster public awareness.

Wilson, J. Z. (2014). Beyond the Walls: Sites of Trauma and Suffering, Forgotten Australians and Institutionalisation via Punitive ‘Welfare’. Public History Review, 20, 80–93. https://doi.org/10.5130/phrj.v20i0.3748