Australian social history explored in notorious girls’ detention centre reunion

Real-life stories of former inmates at the notorious Parramatta Girls’ Training School in NSW have been combined to create a tragic and humorous yet uplifting play, making its WA premiere at the Old Mill Theatre this May. Written by Alana Valentine and directed by Siobhan O’Gara, Parramatta Girls follows the story of eight girls at their 40-year reunion. The girls were innocent victims of a harsh regime but had their own ways of coping with the system that oppressed them, trying to make good in tough times. When the system spat them out, they became the mothers, sisters, work mates and wives of Australia. Described as a “powerful social document”, the play is on the NSW high school curriculum and also a dynamic dramatic piece. O’Gara was inspired to direct Parramatta Girls because she loves plays about the social condition. “The Parramatta home was the most notorious girls’ detention centre in Australia and, as an institution that ran under several different guises from 1821 to 1974, it’s an important part of Australian social history that should be told and remembered,” she said. “The play’s reunion is a way for some of the girls to finally let go of their memories and find healing, for others it’s a chance to dispel the ghosts and for all of them it’s a way to share the pain and to catch up and reminisce. “I would like the play to be a tribute to the endurance and strength and character of all the girls who suffered the hardship and brutality of the juvenile detention system.” According to the 2004 Forgotten Australians Senate Committee Report: “Upwards of, and possibly more than 500,000 Australians, experienced care in an orphanage, home or other form of out-of-home care during the last century. “As many of these people have had a family it is highly likely that every Australian either was, is related to, works with or knows someone who experienced childhood in an institution or out-of-home care environment.” Parramatta Girls plays at 8pm, May 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26 with a 2pm matinee May 20. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 9367 8719 or oldmilltheatre@iinet.net.au. Please note: Parramatta Girls contains adult themes and strong language and may not be suitable for children under 15. The heritage-listed Old Mill Theatre is on Mends Street, South Perth, opposite the Windsor Hotel and Australia Post.