Old Melbourne Gaol Education Programs

Students learn through the history of the Gaol about the key moments in Melbourne's cultural and social history.

The Old Melbourne Gaol is a former prison that was open from 1845 to 1924, during which more than 50,000 prisoners passed through its imposing bluestone walls, some never to leave. The Gaol was the site of 133 executions, including, most famously, Ned Kelly.  

Students will be transported back in time to witness the harsh day-to-day life of inmates, learning about everything from their food allowances to the rules they had to follow. Students will encounter case studies both devastating and dastardly, with inmates charged with vagrancy (homelessness) being housed alongside bushrangers and murderers. Tailored, curriculum-aligned tours for Levels 5 and up; this is an experience not to miss! 

Levels 5 & 6 History and Civics and Citizenship Education Program

Life was tough in Melbourne in the 1800s, nowhere more than the Gaol! Focusing on a prisoner’s journey, students will walk in an inmate’s shoes – learning about the society that condoned a prison like the Old Melbourne Gaol, discovering what crimes warranted a stay in the Gaol, who was housed there (including women and young children), how prisoners were processed, the rules that controlled daily life, the toil and suffering of hard labour, and the atrocious conditions inside the cell block. Students might hear stories of daring escapes or the dangerous landscapes of the goldfields.  

Curriculum Links
Subject Strand Sub-strand Content descriptionsOn the Old Melbourne Gaol tour students will… 
History Historical Concepts and Skills Historical Sources as Evidence Identify the origin, content features and the purpose of historical sources and describe the context of these sources when explaining daily life in colonial Australia, reasons for migration and causes and effects of Federation (VCHHC083) Be introduced to the Gaol as a historical source that details the lives of prisoners, guards, and the general societal views of prisoners. Students will interpret the architecture, historical context and the rules/laws attached to the structure to better understand colonial Victoria and beyond.  
Describe perspectives and identify ideas, beliefs and values of people and groups in the past (VCHHC084)Interpret the information provided on prisoners and Melbourne culture to understand the differences in beliefs and make deductions as to how people perceived crime and punishment in the 1800s and early 1900s.
Historical Knowledge The Australian Colonies The effects of a significant development or event on a colony (VCHHK090) Make connections between the expansion and overcrowding of the Old Melbourne Gaol in the 1850s, and the migration boom that the Gold Rush caused.  
The causes and the reasons why people migrated to Australia from Europe and Asia, and the perspectives, experiences and contributions of a particular migrant group within a colony (VCHHK091)Learn about the consequences of mass migration on Victoria’s population, understanding the desperation of the 1800s for non-European migrants, the poor, the sick and the elderly. Students will discover that certain people were more likely to end up imprisoned due to factors such as prejudice.
Civics and Citizenship Laws and Citizens Explain how and why laws are enforced and describe the roles and responsibilities of key personnel in law enforcement, and in the legal system (VCCCL013) Be introduced to a plethora of different crimes (some current and some historic), the historical punishments for those crimes and the reason why people were imprisoned for them.  
Ethical Capability Understanding Concepts  Discuss how ethical principles can be used as the basis for action, considering the influence of cultural norms, religion, world views and philosophical thought on these principles (VCECU010) Discuss the ethics of imprisonment in a place such as the Old Melbourne Gaol – many people were more likely to be imprisoned based on their skin colour, religion, country of origin and sex. Does this seem ethical? 

Further Program Details

Available:Monday – Friday during school terms.
Duration:50 minute tour with 10 minutes self-guided exploration of the cell block.
Numbers15-30 students per group. 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio
Resources:Social script for parents and teachers of students on the autism spectrum.

Teachers will receive a detailed resource pack that includes suggested pre- and post-visit activities upon booking.
Cost $12 per student, 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio
Saftey Click here to access the Old Melbourne Gaol Task Risk Assessment document.
BookingsTo book in:
Online booking form

For enquiries:
Email bookings@nattust.com.au
Phone: (03)9656 9889

Levels 7-10 History and Civics and Citizenship education program

There has been much change around the Old Melbourne Gaol – from the landscape, the buildings, and the skyline, down to the society that lives in the area and how they perceive concepts such as justice and fairness. Students will be introduced to the notion of justice through the case of a wrongfully convicted man, questioning whether justice was ever served. The Victorian era was tough, desperation was epitomised in the daily new arrivals, locked up for no more than stealing food to feed their families or even just being homeless. Students will embark on a journey of discovery, hearing the stories of those unfortunate enough to be sentenced to time at the Old Melbourne Gaol – including women, and children as young as 6 months old. 

Curriculum Links for Levels 7-8
Subject Strand Sub-strand Content descriptionsOn the Old Melbourne Gaol tour students will… 
History Historical Concepts and Skills Chronology Describe and explain the broad patterns of change over the period from the Ancient to the Modern World (VCHHC098) Learn about the evolution of the geographical location of Old Melbourne Gaol, from untouched bushland to a prison, and beyond. 
Continuity and ChangeIdentify and explain patterns of continuity and change in society to the way of life (VCHHC102)Compare life in the 1800s in the Old Melbourne Gaol to how life is today.
Historical Sources as EvidenceAnalyse the different perspectives of people in the past (VCHHC100)Be introduced to contemporary opinions on the Gaol as an institution, and how it affected people of different genders, social positions, and ethnicities.
Civics and Citizenship Government and Democracy Discuss the freedoms that enable active participation in Australia's democracy within the bounds of law, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement (VCCCG019)  Learn about the restrictions that people faced in the 1800s that meant they couldn’t participate in democracy, such as voting and being on a jury. Link this knowledge to what they know about freedoms in modern Australia.  
Laws and Citizens  Explain how Australia’s legal system aims to provide justice, including through the rule of law, presumption of innocence, burden of proof, right to a fair trial and right to legal representation (VCCCL022)  Learn about the case of Colin Campbell Ross, who was wrongfully executed in 1922, and later pardoned in 2008. Through this case study, students must think critically about the term “justice” and what that means.  
Curriculum Links for Levels 9-10
Subject Strand Sub-strand Content descriptionsOn the Old Melbourne Gaol tour students will… 
History Historical Concepts and Skills Chronology Sequence significant events in chronological order to support analysis of the causes and effects of these events and identify the changes they brought about (VCHHC121) Learn a chronology of the Old Melbourne Gaol landscape and social changes over time, relating to the Gaol’s inception, expansion and eventual closure.  
Historical Sources as EvidenceAnalyse and corroborate sources and evaluate their accuracy, usefulness and reliability (VCHHC123)Investigate the museum interpretation in the Gaol which includes first-hand accounts and historical opinions.
Historical Knowledge The Making of the Modern World – Asia and Australia.  Key social, cultural, economic, and political features of one society at the start of the period (VCHHK133) Understand the strong links between the discovery of gold in Victoria in 1851 and the expansion of the Gaol. Learn about the lawless nature of the gold fields. 
Intended and unintended causes and effects of contact and extension of settlement of European power(s), including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (VCHHK134)Learn about the high level of Aboriginal people incarcerated, and executed, at the Old Melbourne Gaol over the years, and the causes and consequences of this incarceration.
Patterns of continuity and change and their effects on influencing movements of people, ways of life and living conditions, political and legal institutions, and cultural expression around the turn of the twentieth century (VCHHK136)Be introduced to the atrocious living conditions within Old Melbourne Gaol and the downfall of many due to the 1890s depression that hit Melbourne after the Gold Rush.
Different experiences and perspectives of non-Europeans and their perspectives on changes to society, significant events, ideas, beliefs and values (VCHHK137)Learn about the people who came from all over the world to seek out the riches of the goldfields and ended up on the wrong side of the law – facing prison sentences that were given to them without any explanation to them in their mother tongue.
Civics and Citizenship Laws and Citizens Describe the key features of Australia’s court system, including jurisdictions and how courts apply and interpret the law, resolve disputes and make law through judgments, and describe the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution (VCCCL033) Learn about the role that courts played in determining the sentences of criminals. Students can then critically think about whether these sentences were fair, and whether, contextually, prisoners received a fair trial, when considering factors such as age, social status, gender, race, political beliefs, religious beliefs, etc.  
Discuss the key principles of Australia’s justice system, including equality before the law, independent judiciary, and right of appeal (VCCCL034)Learn about many cases of people being imprisoned at the Old Melbourne Gaol and facing different sanctions, such Ned Kelly.
Citizenship, Diversity and IdentityDiscuss how and why groups, including religious groups, participate in civic life (VCCCC037)Learn about the prominent role of the Church at the Gaol, as a place of rehabilitation, reform, and counsel. Critically discuss whether the church was there for the prisoners or to appease the general public.
Ethical Capabilities Understanding Concepts Distinguish between the ethical and non-ethical dimensions of complex issues, including the distinction between ethical and legal issues (VCECU021) Discuss the ethics behind issues such as incarceration of minorities (in the past and today) and execution.  
Investigate the connections and distinctions between and the relative value of concepts including fairness and equality, and respect and tolerance (VCECU019) Discuss the fairness of criminal sentences, that may be different based on circumstances even if the crime is the same.  

Further Program Details

Available:Monday – Friday during school terms.
Duration:50 minute tour with 10 minutes self-guided exploration of the cell block.
Numbers15-30 students per group. 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio
Resources:Social script for parents and teachers of students on the autism spectrum.

Teachers will receive a detailed resource pack that includes suggested pre- and post-visit activities upon booking.
Cost $12 per student, 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio
Saftey Click here to access the Old Melbourne Gaol Task Risk Assessment document.
BookingsTo book in:
Online booking form

For enquiries:
Email bookings@nattust.com.au
Phone: (03)9656 9889

VCE Legal Studies Education Program

Understanding of justice and criminality has changed a lot over the past two centuries, what was once considered “criminal” is now celebrated, and vice versa. Students will embark on a tour, learning about the cases that led people to be incarcerated at the Old Melbourne Gaol, and the punishments that ensued… The use of corporal and capital punishment alongside the regular prisoner experience will be closely examined by students, focusing on one key question: what was the purpose of the sanction and the outcome? 

Study design links for Units 1-4 Legal Studies
Subject Unit Area of Study Key Knowledge and Skills At the Old Melbourne Gaol tour 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 Consider if the Gaol work as a way to deter people from a life of crime. 
Unit 1, 2The principles of justice: fairness, equality and accessAsk the questions – was the Gaol a fair place? Did it achieve justice?
Unit 1The Presumption of InnocenceTypes of crime such as crimes against the person and crimes against propertyStudy the case of Ned Kelly as an example of crimes against the person.
Unit 2SanctionsTypes of sanctions such as fines, community correction orders and imprisonmentLearn about the many different sanctions within the walls of the Gaol including corporal punishment, solitary confinement, hard labour, and capital punishment.
Unit 2, 3The purposes of sanctions: punishment, deterrence, denunciation, protection and rehabilitationUnderstand the rationale behind the Gaol; deterrence and rehabilitation and assess whether it achieved these aims.
Unit 3The Victorian Criminal Justice SystemFactors considered in sentencing, including aggravating factors, mitigating factors, guilty pleas and victim impact statementsLearn that historically, legal proceedings were not as fair as they are today, and this resulted in a lot of people being more likely to end up at the Gaol due to their gender, race, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religious beliefs, and social status.
Unit 4 The People, The Parliament and The Courts The ability and means by which individuals can influence law reform including through petitions, demonstrations and the use of the courts Learn about the many protests that took place outside the walls for clemency in cases such as Ned Kelly and females sentenced to death like Frances Knorr, Emma Williams and Elizabeth Scott.   

Further Program Details

Available:Monday – Friday during school terms.
Duration:50 minute tour with 10 minutes self-guided exploration of the cell block.
Numbers15-30 students per group. 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio
Resources:Social script for parents and teachers of students on the autism spectrum.

Teachers will receive a detailed resource pack that includes suggested pre- and post-visit activities upon booking.
Cost $12 per student, 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio
Saftey Click here to access the Old Melbourne Gaol Task Risk Assessment document.
BookingsTo book in:
Online booking form

For enquiries:
Email bookings@nattust.com.au
Phone: (03)9656 9889

Thematic tours and experiences

The Ned Kelly Experience – Tour and Court Room Drama

We’ve all heard his name, and now students are given the chance to walk in Ned’s footsteps. This program brings the story of the famed bushranger to life! Students will reenact the court trial that saw Ned sent to the gallows at the Former Magistrates Court of Melbourne, dressing up and playing the roles of infamous Judge Redmond Barry, lawyers, police witnesses and Ned himself. Following the trial, students will be guided around the Old Melbourne Gaol, learning of Ned’s last stand at Glenrowan, his time spent at the Gaol and what happened to his body after his death (you might get to try on a suit of armour)!

This experience is one not to be missed! 

 

FURther Program details

Available:Monday – Friday during school terms.
Duration:2 hours. 1.25 hour court room drama and 45 minute tour.
Numbers:15-30 students per session. 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio. 
Resources:Social script for parents and teachers of students on the autism spectrum.
Cost:$20 per student.
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

Escape Artists

From the cunning and clever, to the sometimes foolhardy and downright dangerous, Old Melbourne Gaol was the site of many escapes throughout its history. There were upwards of 60 reported escapes from the Gaol in the 79 years it was open, and several more from the former City Watch House which only closed its doors in 1994.   

Note: This tour takes place outside the cell block. To explore the cell block, book a Gaol tour or Ned Kelly tour.  

 

FURther Program details

Available:Monday – Friday during school terms.
Duration:40 minutes.
Numbers:15-30 students per session. 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio. 
Cost:$10 per student.
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

Women's Ward Tour

Created in collaboration with the National Trust’s Senior Curator and Historian, this tour takes students on a journey through the gaol through the eyes of the women who resided there in the late 1800s. Learn about the lives they led on the outside, crimes they committed, their life behind bars and their fate at the end of their sentence.
This tour is recommended for students in secondary school.

 

FURther Program details

Available:Monday – Friday during school terms.
Duration:40 minutes.
Numbers:15-30 students per session. 1:12 teacher/carer to student ratio. 
Cost:$10 per student.
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

Old Melbourne Gaol Education Programs

Address:

377 Russell Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Phone:
9656 9800
Email:
bookings@nattrust.com.au
Website:
https://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au/
What we offer:

“Our Year 9 students had a wonderful time at the Old Melbourne Gaol Tour. The tour guides were engaging, kind and supportive of our student’s needs. We would 100% book tours again!”

Year 9 teacher, November 2023

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Student Resources

Old Melbourne Gaol Program Overview

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