About

"Our principle aim is to ensure that the site is protected, preserved and valued nationally and internationally". 

Why is the Precinct important?

The historic sites of the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct have exceptional and universal value – with the convict Female Factory site representative of the global phenomenon of convictism, the punishment of crime in the modern era and forced migration – and the Roman Catholic Orphanage/ Parramatta Girls Home in the provision of child welfare in Australian cultural history for a period extending from 1844 until 1983.

Whose history does the PFFP represent?

It is a history for all Australians. A place to remember the convict women of the Female Factory whose labour was used to weave Australia’s first manufactured export; who broke rocks as the foundations for Parramatta’s roads; who were the mother’s of modern Australia….and their children – the Forgotten Australians, who were taken from them and placed in the Orphan Schools, and the later impoverished, neglected children of the state placed in the Parramatta Girls Home…and the socially marginalised who were locked away in the later Lunatic Asylum and psychiatric hospital.

Does the Precinct have the protection afforded by inclusion on the National Heritage List?

No. This is a situation which we have sought to rectify when in 2011 we submitted a nomination for the Precinct’s inclusion on the National Heritage List. The final approval for inclusion is given by Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

Is the Precinct or its historic sites included on any other Heritage Lists?

Yes. Visit link for more information.

Can the Precinct be included on the  UNESCO World Heritage List?

No. Eligibility criteria for World Heritage Listing requires a nominated site to be first included on the National Heritage List.

Who we are, what we do…

The Parramatta Female Factory Precinct Association (Parragirls) was established in 2006 to raise awareness about the site and to work together with stakeholders in the vision, development, and implementation of a Masterplan to support the creation of accessible public spaces that provide opportunities for cultural, arts and heritage activities whilst maintaining the historical integrity of the site.

We are an informal group of activists, academics, researchers, historians, artists, descendants and former occupants. We do not require interested individuals to become members or pay fees. We bring together people who wish to engage in a range of diverse interests and activities in promoting awareness about the site and in supporting the call for its memorialisation as a publicly accessible historic site. Please contact us by email here or visit our website for more information.

Since inception we have conducted: the Living Memorial campaign to engage support of politicians and community organisations; Parragirls - advocacy and representation at the State and National Apology to the Forgotten Australians and former Child Migrants; Parramatta Electorate Petition to promote and engage support from the local community; Hands off our Heritage – to rally action protesting about proposed development to a former Female Factory building.

We look forward to launching our latest initiative the PFFP Memory project - trace, place and identity a social history and contemporary art project for artists, academics, historians and former occupants of the Precinct in engaging and interpreting its history and legacy.