It's easy to think that someone really wants to see St John's Orphanage destroyed. Only a month after I visited it for the first time in 2015, it suffered a serious fire which destroyed much of the roof. In 2016, about four months after my second visit, three more suspicious fires inflicted even worse damage. The front wing of the orphanage was completely burnt out and partially collapsed. A separate building at the rear of the premises was also destroyed.

In July 2018 I was passing through the area, so I belatedly visited St. John's for a third time to see what had become of it. I wouldn't have been surprised to find that the building had been demolished, but it remained standing, badly damaged but still imposing, as if defying the multiple attempts to destroy it. A temporary fence had been erected around the building in a half-hearted attempt to keep people out.

I went through my usual exploration routine, photographing the orphanage from various angles. I found a gap in the fence, and took the liberty of stepping inside to get some closer shots. I didn't need to be warned not to enter the remains of the building, however. I judged this to be far too dangerous, and in any case I had already thoroughly explored it on my previous visits.

I haven't been able to find any information about the fate of the orphanage since my last visit. As far as I know, the building still stands, awaiting the time when it will finally be demolished, or, perhaps less likely, repaired and redeveloped. The next time I pass through Goulburn I will stop and take a look.