17c起草社区

In a significant step towards acknowledging NSW鈥檚 complex and at times painful history with the building, the Cooma Correctional Centre (Cooma Gaol) has been officially recognised with a plaque marking its inclusion on the NSW State Heritage Register.

The plaque was unveiled during a formal ceremony at the Gaol on Thursday led by Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong聽after it was formally recognised with its listing on the NSW State Heritage Register in March this year.聽

The heritage listing is not merely a recognition of the building鈥檚 age or architecture, it is a solemn acknowledgment of its role in the systemic discrimination faced by 17c起草社区IA+ people in New South Wales.

Between 1957 and 1984, Cooma Gaol was used to incarcerate individuals on the basis of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

It became a central facility for imprisoning gay men, transwomen, and non-binary people under laws that criminalised homosexuality until it was decriminalised in NSW in 1984.

It is the only known instance worldwide of a prison dedicated entirely to 17c起草社区IA+ people who were victims of historical homosexuality laws.

Cooma Gaol: The importance of remembering this history

Minister Chanthivong was clear in his remarks about the significance of this moment for Cooma Gaol.

鈥淭he inclusion of Cooma Gaol on the State Heritage Register is important because it acknowledges and preserves the history of those who were unjustly treated, for generations to come.”

“On behalf of the Minns Government I reiterate our apology to those who were incarcerated unjustly due to discriminatory laws for homosexual acts,鈥� he said.

He went on to highlight the importance of remembering this history.

鈥淚 am pleased to see Cooma Correctional Centre acknowledged by the NSW State Heritage Register for the unique and challenging role it played in our state鈥檚 history. In the interests of not ignoring history lest we be doomed to repeat it, let us also be clear that the history of Cooma Gaol should serve as a stark warning of the perils of discrimination.鈥�

Local MP Steve Whan, Member for Monaro, also addressed the gathering, balancing the Gaol鈥檚 historical burden with its longstanding place in the community.

鈥淒espite its challenging history, Cooma Gaol has been a prominent landmark for the Cooma township for generations, serving as a visible reminder of our heritage as one of the state鈥檚 original prison towns,鈥� he said.

鈥淚 welcome the Cooma Gaol State Heritage listing as an important recognition of the Gaol鈥檚 historical significance, while noting that the current Cooma Correctional Centre will continue to operate as a modern correctional facility for the broader Cooma community.鈥�

Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM described the moment as 鈥渕omentous,鈥� while reflecting on the facility鈥檚 history.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a prison with a varied and at times dark past that must be protected for future generations. It is both distressing 鈥� and perhaps almost unbelievable 鈥� that such archaic attitudes could have existed as recently as 1984, when homosexuality was decriminalised in NSW,鈥� he said. 鈥淒iscrimination and the persecution of others for their sexuality, race, religion or any other quality, has no place in society today.鈥�

Cooma Gaol historian and journalist Patrick Abboud emphasised the emotional weight the site still carries.

鈥淭he practices that led to inmates being incarcerated at Cooma Gaol, and the treatment they received while they were there, had lifelong impacts for all of those involved,鈥� he said.

鈥淎long with the Minns Government鈥檚 formal apology for the criminalisation of homosexual acts, the NSW State Heritage acknowledgement of Cooma Gaol as a place of incarceration for gay men, transwomen, and non-binary people is a step toward healing for those former inmates still living with past traumas, and the redemption of the memory of those we have lost.鈥�