Between 1909 and 1994 the City Watch House was Melbourne’s central holding facility for people arrested and awaiting trial.
The Old City Watch House
Countless people were held here, upwards of 50 people were brough in every day, and their stories can be told both through historical records and also can be seen in the fabric of the building.
The police charge room and cells remain almost unchanged since the 1990s when the police left, giving students a very special opportunity to be transported back in time.
Life in the City Watch House - Levels 9 - VCE
Students are given the opportunity to actively explore this confronting place and its people from different perspectives. Through role-play and self-exploration, students are supported to develop awareness of the experience that people had when they were arrested in the late 20th century. During this entertainment program, participants are mock arrested, subjected to a search, questioned by the sergeant, and witnessing the basic conditions of confinement in the cells.
This is a 30-minute session with a trained actor performing the role a police sergeant in the Old City Watch House. If you would also like to access and explore the main building of the Old Melbourne Gaol, please book a Gaol Tour as well.
Please note: this experience can be confronting for students. There is a social script available for download below that outlines the experience in greater detail. You are encouraged to use this to prepare students for what they will see and hear.
Curriculum links for Level 9 - 10
| Subject | Strand | Sub-strand | Content descriptions | During the Watch House Experience students will… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | Historical Concepts and Skills | Historical Sources as Evidence | Analyse the different perspectives of people in the past and evaluate how these perspectives are influenced by significant events, ideas, location, beliefs and values (VCHHC124) | Understand the perspectives of those incarcerated at the City Watch House, which is visible in the makeup of the building and the stories of people who spent time within the walls. |
| Cause and Effect | Evaluate the historical significance of an event, idea, individual or place (VCHHC128) | Evaluate the significance of the Watch House in Melbourne’s history. | ||
| Historical Knowledge | Rights and Freedoms (1945 – the present) | Continuity and change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in securing and achieving civil rights and freedoms in Australia (VCHHK156) | Explore the graffiti in the cells which depicts displays of the inequality First Nations people experienced whilst incarcerated at the Old City Watch House. | |
| Civics and Citizenship | Laws and Citizens | Discuss the key principles of Australia’s justice system, including equality before the law, independent judiciary, and right of appeal (VCCCL034) | Question whether the principles of Australia’s justice system were met at the Old City Watch House, equality in particular. | |
| Ethical Capability | Understanding Concepts | Investigate the connections and distinctions between and the relative value of concepts including fairness and equality, and respect and tolerance (VCECU019) | Assess the fairness of a place like the Watch House, discussing whether they believe it was a respectful and equal experience for arrested people to have. | |
| Distinguish between the ethical and non-ethical dimensions of complex issues, including the distinction between ethical and legal issues (VCECU021) | Discuss whether the treatment of people who had been arrested was ethical, and discover how under the law this was the sanctioned punishment for said people. |
Study Design links for VCE Legal Studies
| Subject | Unit | Area of Study | Key Knowledge and Skills | During the Watch House Experience students will… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Studies | Unit 1 | Legal Foundations | The role of individuals, laws and the legal system in achieving social cohesion and protecting the rights of individuals | Learn about the role of police sergeants within the lock-up facility. |
| Unit 1, 2 | The principles of justice: fairness, equality and access | Ask the key question: was the Watch House fair and equal? | ||
| Unit 2 | Sanctions | Types of sanctions such as fines, community correction orders and imprisonment | Learn what the purpose of the Watch House was, as a holding facility for people who had been arrested but not yet charged. | |
| Unit 2, 3 | The purposes of sanctions: punishment, deterrence, denunciation, protection and rehabilitation | Understand the purpose of the Watch House as place of protection, punishment and deterrence. |
Further Program Details
| Available: | Monday-Friday during school terms. |
| Duration: | 30mins |
| Numbers: | 15-30 students |
| Resources: | Social script for parents and teachers of students on the autism spectrum. |
| Cost: | $10 per student (Teacher/carer to student ratio 1:12) |
| Safety: | Click here to access the Old Melbourne Gaol Task Risk Assessment document. |
| Bookings: | To book in: Online Booking Form For enquiries: Email: bookings@nattust.com.au Phone: (03)9656 9889 |
The Watch House Unlocked - Levels 9 - VCE
Discover 85 years of Melbourne’s crime history in the historic Watch House Unlocked tour. Students are invited into rarely seen sections of the Watch House to hear about its purpose, how people under arrest were processed, alleged crimes committed, and what life was like in the cells. Students will hear tales of people who spent time inside, learning about their crimes and what sanctions ensued. This tour is facilitated by a trained guide who can tailor the tour to your class’s specific area of study.
This is a 35-minute tour in the Old City Watch House. If you would also like to access the Old Melbourne Gaol, please book a Gaol Tour as well.
Curriculum links for Level 9 - 10
| Subject | Strand | Sub-strand | Content descriptions | During the Watch House Experience students will… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | Historical Concepts and Skills | Historical Sources as Evidence | Analyse the different perspectives of people in the past and evaluate how these perspectives are influenced by significant events, ideas, location, beliefs and values (VCHHC124) | Understand the perspectives of those incarcerated at the City Watch House, which is visible in the graffiti in the building and through stories of people who spent time within the walls. |
| Cause and Effect | Evaluate the historical significance of an event, idea, individual or place (VCHHC128) | Evaluate the significance of the Watch House in Melbourne’s crime history. | ||
| Historical Knowledge | Rights and Freedoms (1945 – the present) | Continuity and change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in securing and achieving civil rights and freedoms in Australia (VCHHK156) | Explore the graffiti in the cells which depicts displays of the inequality First Nations people experienced whilst incarcerated at the Old City Watch House. | |
| Civics and Citizenship | Laws and Citizens | Discuss the key principles of Australia’s justice system, including equality before the law, independent judiciary, and right of appeal (VCCCL034) | Question whether the principles of Australia’s justice system were met at the Old City Watch House, equality in particular. | |
| Ethical Capability | Understanding Concepts | Investigate the connections and distinctions between and the relative value of concepts including fairness and equality, and respect and tolerance (VCECU019) | Assess the fairness of a place like the Watch House, discussing whether they believe it was a respectful and equal experience for arrested people to have. | |
| Distinguish between the ethical and non-ethical dimensions of complex issues, including the distinction between ethical and legal issues (VCECU021) | Discuss whether the treatment of people who had been arrested was ethical, and discover how under the law this was the sanctioned punishment for said people. |
Study Design links for VCE Legal Studies
| Subject | Unit | Area of Study | Key Knowledge and Skills | During the Watch House Experience students will… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Studies | Unit 1 | Legal Foundations | The role of individuals, laws and the legal system in achieving social cohesion and protecting the rights of individuals | Learn about the role of police officers within the lock-up facility. |
| Unit 1, 2 | The principles of justice: fairness, equality and access | Consider the key question: was the Watch House fair and equal? | ||
| Unit 2 | Sanctions | Types of sanctions such as fines, community correction orders and imprisonment | Learn what the purpose of the Watch House was, as a holding facility for people who had been arrested in Melbourne, as a holding place for prisoners awaiting trial and as a punishment in itself. | |
| Unit 2, 3 | The purposes of sanctions: punishment, deterrence, denunciation, protection and rehabilitation | Understand the purpose of the Watch House as place of protection, punishment and deterrence. |
Further Program Details
| Available: | Monday-Friday during school terms. |
| Duration: | 35mins |
| Numbers: | 15-30 students |
| Cost: | $10 per student (Teacher/carer to student ratio 1:12) |
| Safety: | Click here to access the Old Melbourne Gaol Task Risk Assessment document. |
| Bookings: | To book in: Online Booking Form For enquiries: Email: bookings@nattust.com.au Phone: (03)9656 9889 |
Plan your visit
The Old City Watch House
- Address:
345/355 Russell Street
Melbourne VIC 3000- Phone:
- 9656 9800
- Email:
- bookings@nattrust.com.au
- Website:
- https://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au/
- What we offer:
Call to action section
Book your school program
Simply fill in our online booking from with your details to make a booking request
"Both presenters were fantastic. They were able to keep the attention of VCAL students. Treating the students as if they were arrested, with the line up, checking for contraband and putting them in cells in the dark was great. Taking photos for line up was also a fun experience for them all."
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