Anger over Renwick State Ward Home backflip

April 6, 2014, 4:36 p.m.

Lived at Renwick State Ward home: Leeallison Downie. Picture: Sahlan Hayes

When it came time for Leeallison Downie to give evidence to the royal commission into child abuse, she was asked if she wanted compensation. Ms Downie was insulted.

What she wanted was to ensure the treatment 30,000 sick, orphaned and ''stolen'' children experienced at the Renwick State Ward Home in Mittagong over 100 years was never forgotten - so it did not happen again.

The commission has recommended police prosecute former Renwick staff. But Ms Downie has been left reeling by the O'Farrell government's abandonment of a promise made by Family and Community Services Minister Pru Goward to preserve the institution as a children's museum and youth centre. Instead, the government wants to sell the site to the highest bidder, as Landcom subdivides nearby land for housing.

The proposal for the museum, to be run by former residents, had the backing of the local council and historians, who had collected hundreds of photographs and stories.

Wingecarribee deputy mayor Larry Whipper said it would be an ideal place for the school groups who travel to Canberra each year from Sydney to stop and learn the history of the stolen generations.

Time for change: Children work in the garden at Renwick State Ward Home. Picture: Supplied

Renwick's Challoner Cottage was listed on the NSW Heritage Register two weeks ago, after the State Heritage Council met with Ms Downie and examined evidence of its history.

Planning Minister Brad Hazzard had agreed to veto plans by Urban Growth to demolish the building if Ms Downie won a heritage listing. According to Ms Downie, Ms Goward had told her: ''Get your money together - the building's yours.''

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Anger over Renwick State Ward Home backflip