Bonegilla: A place of remembrance and migration history

Bonegilla is a destination for travellers who want to learn about the former migration centre and its culture of remembrance. Block 19 is a public place of remembrance and a rare example of a post-war migration centre. Three named points of interest offer different perspectives: the memorial sculpture The Arc, the Chapel (Building 91) and the Suitcase Trail. They represent remembrance of arrivals, the history of a building and insights into life at Bonegilla Camp. When preparing your visit, you can choose between these options depending on whether you are more interested in people, a building’s history or life at the camp.

Block 19 and The Arc: Remembrance on site

The memorial sculpture The Arc is located on the grounds of the Bonegilla Migrant Experience. It commemorates individuals and families who arrived at the centre between 1947 and 1971. The memorial is therefore dedicated to both individuals and families and refers to a clearly defined period. Block 19 complements this personal connection as a public place of remembrance and a rare example of a post-war migration centre. This makes it possible to distinguish between remembrance of those who arrived and the historical significance of Block 19 when putting the site in context.

Chapel (Building 91): several historical uses

The Chapel, also known as Building 91, offers another perspective on the history of the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre. During its military period, it first served as a Regimental Aid Post, then as a medical dispensary, and also as a chapel for religious, charitable and cultural celebrations. These uses combine medical duties with celebrations of various kinds. Unlike The Arc, whose purpose is remembrance, the emphasis here is on the historical functions of a building. The name Chapel refers to its religious use; its medical functions form another part of the building’s history. If you are interested in the centre’s different aspects, Building 91 offers its own perspective alongside remembrance of those who arrived.

A glimpse into life at the camp

The Suitcase Trail offers a personal and direct glimpse into life at Bonegilla Camp. This gives it a different focus from The Arc: the trail focuses on life at the camp, while the sculpture commemorates individuals and families who arrived at the centre between 1947 and 1971. This comparison can help you plan what to explore: would you mainly like to learn about life at the camp, or about remembrance of those who arrived? Both are part of Bonegilla’s historical subject matter, but each has a different emphasis. Block 19 complements these perspectives as a public place of remembrance and a rare example of a post-war migration centre.

Location and practical information

The Bonegilla Migrant Experience is located at 132 Bonegilla Rd, Bonegilla, next to Lake Hume. The full address identifies the place to visit; the lake adds a specific landscape reference to the description of the location. Visitors without a smart device can ask at the Welcome Centre about borrowing site-specific tablets. A paper version is also available. If you do not have your own smart device with you, you can choose between asking to borrow a tablet and using the paper version for guidance.

Discover more destinations: Lockington, Rokewood, Dromana, Elsternwick, Sutherland, Kingower, Craigieburn, Strath Creek

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.