But they also remember some of their fellow residents and staff with fondness.

On Saturday about two dozen former "inmates" as they called themselves, who were at the orphanage between 1935 and 1960, visited Ballarat's New Cemetery. They paid tribute and left flowers to former friends buried there and also reflected on some graves for the orphans and babies who died at the orphanage.

One of the organisers of the visit was Joyce Kendall, who now lives on the Gold Coast.

"We visited about 20 individual grave sites but also the orphans' grave site," Mrs Kendall said.

"Debbie Finlay found the mass orphans' grave several years ago and it was renovated by CAFS. We will also visit the Alexandra Babies Home.

"It's about honouring and remembering the people who were there."

Ms Kendall said this year's visit had special significance because of the centenary anniversary of Anzac Day.

"A lot of the boys from the orphanage went off to World War I so we are honouring them too," she said.

The former residents visit the Gold Museum where there is a display of memorabilia from the orphanage, followed by dinner at Bray Raceway.

They also visited the grave of the original superintendent of the orphanage Arthur Kenny, for whom Mrs Kendall had some kind words as well.

"The staff did the best they could," Mrs Kendall said.

"We were fed and we were educated."