The Abbotsford Convent is a serene and picturesque location in Melbourne, a cherished haven for Melbourne residents, and a hub for over 100 artists and creatives. Sadly, however, it also has a dark past. One of the infamous Magdalene Laundries institutions operated within its walls for over a century. Institutions that were responsible for inflicting immense suffering on vulnerable women.

Founding the Convent

The Abbotsford Convent was founded in 1863 by a group of nuns from the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. For more than a century, it served as a sanctuary during difficult times such as the gold rush, the Great Depression, and both world wars. -Many girls and women found refuge at the convent, often residing in the Sacred Heart building and working in the Magdalen Laundry on the premises.

Two other Magdelane laundries operated in Melbourne at the time, one at Albert Park and the other at Oakleigh. However, the Abbotsford one was the largest. At its peak in 1901, Abbotsford Convent was the biggest charitable organisation in the southern hemisphere. It was also one of the largest Catholic complexes in Australia, with over 1,000 women and children living behind its walls. The 6.8-hectare (17 acres) site also included vegetable and fruit gardens, dairy and poultry farms and a piggery. The commercial laundry services plus lacemaking generated an income for the convent. As a result, it allowed the nuns to buy what could not be grown or made on-site.

INFAMOUS MAGDALEN LAUNDRIES

Magdalene Laundries were established in various countries during the 18th and 19th centuries. Religious orders, including the Catholic Church, primarily ran them. They were intended to house and reform “fallen women”. A term applied to unmarried mothers, prostitutes, and women deemed morally deviant by society. The Good Shepherd was an order dedicated to the “rehabilitation” of women considered wayward. Accordingly, it operated one such laundry at Abbotsford Convent.

The Abbotsford-based Magdalen Laundries were constructed in the 1880s. They underwent modifications in 1905, 1907, and the 1920s. Remarkable for their refined architecture, they featured impressive roof monitors and intricate Wunderlich (pressed metal) ceilings. All of which were not typical in late 19th-century industrial buildings. The Abbotsford laundries were the largest commercial ones in Melbourne in the 1920s, and despite removing the equipment when they closed, they are believed to be among the few surviving and relatively intact examples of a Magdalen Laundry globally. The ground floor of the building housed the former laundries, mangling (wringing), ironing, and packing rooms.

However, as bad as it was at the Abbotsford Convent, the abuse suffered by those in the Magdalen Laundries of Ireland was far worse.

Life Inside the Laundries

The consequences of working in the Magdalene Laundries were profound and long-lasting for the women who endured this ordeal. Many suffered from physical ailments due to the gruelling work they were forced to perform. Accidents with the mangler (wringer) were common.  By the traditions of the nuns, much of the day proceeded in silence. They experienced psychological trauma, enduring the constant humiliation and degradation inflicted upon them. The trauma of being separated from their children, often forcibly taken away from them, left lasting scars. The effects of this institutionalisation persisted throughout their lives, impacting their mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

The Sisters could offer lower prices than their commercial competitors by utilising the free labour of the women. The income generated was used to provide shelter and food for the women and finance other various charitable endeavours. While some women appreciated the stability offered by the convent, many others were unhappy with the lack of education, strict discipline, and unpaid work. However, unlike other forms of imprisonment, the Sisters also worked alongside the women they cared for, with male employees handling the heavier tasks.

Multiple organisations relied on the laundries at Abbotsford Convent. For example, Melbourne hotels, including the Windsor Hotel, government agencies like Victorian Railways, visiting ships, wealthy Catholic families, and other Catholic institutions were all clients. Despite their hard work and long hours, women were not paid for their labour. It also wasn’t until the 1960s that younger women could access education. This had previously only been available to orphans, boarders, and other girls on site. The women received education until the age of 14, similar to their peers outside the convent.

The Sacred Heart Girls

The original objective of the Magdalen Asylum at the convent was to provide refuge and rehabilitation for Sacred Heart girls. Girls who had violated the strict social norms of the time could be sent to the convent. The women were taught domestic skills by the Sisters to find a new path in life. Laundry work was considered a simple task to teach them.

Secondly, being Catholic was not a requirement to be placed in the convent. Young women were often brought by their family members or guardians. The police, through court orders, also admitted women and girls of different ages to the nuns’ care. Joni Mitchell even wrote a song about the Irish Magdelene Laundries.

Women were admitted to Abbotsford in the 1880s for, among other things, ‘larceny’, ‘insulting behaviour’, being ‘out at night with boys’, ‘neglected and associating with prostitutes’, ‘being found in a Chinese brothel’, ‘concealed birth and burial of her infant with the assistance of her foster parents’.

Magdalen asylums in Australia ~ James Franklin* University of NSW

Admission to Sacred Heart

Upon admission to Sacred Heart, the womens birth name was taken from them. They were then assigned new names based on the names of saints and given uniforms to wear. Occupants of the Sacred Heart ranged from 13 to 80 years old. All the women were referred to as “girls” and had to address all the nuns as “mother” regardless of their age. Their day started at 5 am, attending Mass, having breakfast, and commencing their daily tasks in the laundry. Meals and church services punctuated their day, and they would retire to bed at 7 pm. The women were prohibited from leaving Sacred Heart except for supervised walks or attending church. In later years, they were permitted to receive visits from their families, but all their activities were closely monitored.

Saving the Convent

In 1975, the Good Shepherd Sisters sold the convent, and it later served as a campus for Latrobe University. However, in 1997, a property developer proposed a residential plan for the Abbotsford Convent site. This plan involved the demolition of several heritage buildings, enabling the construction of a 6-story building containing 289 apartments overlooking the Collingwood Children’s Farm. Also planned was a chip-and-putt golf course. Fortunately, the Abbotsford Convent Coalition led one of Australia’s longest and most successful community campaigns, which included over 6,000 objection letters, $3 million in pledges, and numerous volunteer hours. Thanks to their efforts, the Convent site and its valuable heritage assets were saved from the proposed development.

When the Abbotsford Convent Foundation took over the site, the roofs leaked, and the floors were extensively damaged. Stage 1 restoration was completed in June 2019, with the north side of the laundry made available for artistic and community use. The southern spaces were then stabilised, although further work is required to restore them to their full potential.

Survivor Testimonies and Seeking Justice:

Over time, survivors of the Magdalene Laundries at Abbotsford Convent began to bravely share their experiences, breaking the silence and bringing attention to the injustices they endured. Their testimonies played a vital role in exposing the truth and demanding accountability from the institutions responsible. Calls for justice, reparations, and apologies have emerged, urging the government and religious bodies to acknowledge and rectify the wrongs committed against these women.

Survivor Support

Survivors tell of being known as numbers, not names, where “you weren’t allowed to look up or speak to anyone”. They tell of a place where harsh treatment was routine. Where the older girls sexually abused the younger ones, but the nuns looked the other way. Acknowledging the painful history of the Magdalene Laundries is crucial for healing and reconciliation.

Abbotsford Convent, once a site of immense suffering, acknowledges its past while actively promoting survivor support. Efforts are being made to provide platforms for survivors to share their stories. To memorialise the victims and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. The convent offers social history and self-guided audio tours to provide insight into its past.

The Magdalene Laundries at Abbotsford Convent undoubtedly represents a dark chapter in history. One that capitalised on the systemic oppression and abuse of vulnerable women. Honouring the survivors, listening to their stories and working towards justice and healing are essential. Their stories are a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and dignity for all.

Heritage Listing

In  2017, the Federal Government announced that the Abbotsford Convent had become the 111th site added to the Australian National Heritage List. It joined the Royal Exhibition Building, Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in achieving the country’s highest level of heritage recognition.