The group has stood outside the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse since last week, campaigning for action over the abuse meted out to them in homes. 

Care Leavers Australia Network director Leonie Sheedy said the response from drivers and passersby had made their hard work worth it. 

"It started very slowly last week, they just couldn't believe we were out here," she said. 

"(There's) a lot of support, and a lot of people thanking us for being here." 

"I think it's wonderful." 

Survivors from Ballarat Catholic schools have also expressed their support on the way into the Royal Commission, sometimes sharing stories of abuse. 

The sole witness to the Royal Commission from CLAN was former St Joseph's Home resident Gordon Hill, who told of his torture and rape at the hands of priests and nuns at the former Sebastopol home. 

At the protest, Geelong man Vlad Selakovic cheerfully greets everyone going by, be they police from the station next door or people wandering over to do their shopping. 

He was overwhelmed by the generosity of Ballarat people. 

"They say I've come past that many times and seen you standing there, I'm just going to get you something," he said.  

"All you can do is give them a hug and say thank you, you know, and tell them how much it really means."