Female Orphan School

The historic Female Orphan School building on the Parramatta Campus of the University of Western Sydney is the home of the Whitlam Institute. Construction of the building began in 1813, making it one of the oldest public buildings in Australia. The building's function as the first charitable institution in the country, and its later use as a psychiatric hospital for almost a century make it a site of immense heritage significance.The building served as the Female Orphan School from 1818. In 1850, the Female Orphan School merged with the Male Orphan School to create the Protestant Orphan School, which occupied the building until its closure in 1886.