Open House at Abbotsford Convent

Go behind the scenes of the Convent in these special experiences for Open House Melbourne.

Founded by The Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1863, the Abbotsford Convent operated as a monastic site for well over 100 years, through the social traumas caused by the Gold Rush, the Great Depression and the two World Wars. Thousands of women and girls were placed into care here, and while the Convent had a positive impact for some women, providing shelter, food and education in the absence of social welfare, the Convent was also a place of hardship for some, as was often the experience of those in institutionalised care.

Inscribed on the National Heritage List in 2017, the Convent is recognised for demonstrating Australia’s social and welfare history through the lens of a religious and charitable institution. Today, the Abbotsford Convent is a beloved community hub for creativity, artistic development, wellbeing, learning and its open green spaces.

We invite you to explore these histories in the following experiences:

Architecture Tour
Led by Rema O’Neill
Explore different heritage building styles. ranging from Early Colonial to European Baroque Revival.
10am and 2pm
Meet at Main Gate

Panel Talk: Talking Heritage & Place Making
Industry experts reflect on heritage as a creative opportunity and explore how architecture, design and art can keep cultural sites socially relevant and accessible.
Hosted by Abbotsford Convent CEO Justine Hyde.
Panelists: David Constantine (Senti), Virginia Blue (Blue Fruit), Mark Jacques (Openwork) & Dr. Timothy Moore (National Gallery of Victoria).
12pm – 1.30pm
Oratory 

Open Studios
Come inside local artist and designer studios for creative conversations about process and product.
Artists to be announced.
Precinct-wide
10am – 4pm