Courtroom Dramas at the Old Melbourne Gaol, Crime and Justice Experience

Where: Court One of the Former City Magistrates Court, Russell St (Meet at Old Melbourne Gaol) Melbourne
Duration: 50-60 minutes

Melbourne's Famous Magistrates' Court is back in session. Court One in the former Melbourne Magistrates' Court is once again the scene of challenging legal argument in the Old Melbourne Gaol, Crime and Justice Experience.

The former Melbourne Magistrates' Court is now the venue for a unique educational resource for primary and secondary schools. It is the only place where students can engage in real-life problem-based learning experiences based on actual cases, both contemporary and historical.

This is a rich and progressive learning experience where students can become active participants in a re-enacted trial, experiencing all the drama of a court room in a way that can only happen when immersed in the physical space. The courtroom dramas engage young people in exploring the values, attitudes, knowledge and skills of the past and present and future.

Each compelling case has been dramatised and students take every role - prosecutor, defence counsel, judge, offender, jury, witnesses and even vocal public gallery members. At the end of the 'performance' the students de-brief with an experienced educator and explore the human rights, citizenship and justice issues that are relevant to their worlds and their future.

School groups can currently choose from four fully-scripted dramas or contact us to discuss how we can tailor a drama to suit your needs or even perform your own drama in this unique learning space.

• Face Your Elders - the Koori Court case of Ricky, who is facing the court for the third time and a possible prison term but something life changing happens to him during the court process.
• I've Killed My Best Mate! - the harrowing story of a young man who killed tow of his mates when his car crashed into a pole.
• You'll Hang by the Neck Until You be Dead - the 1863 Supreme court trail of Elizabeth Scott who was the first woman to be hanged in the Old Melbourne Gaol after being found guilty of murdering her husband.
• I'm a Refugee, I Need Asylum! - the moving case of Aladdin Sisalem, the man who came to public attention after spending 10 months alone on Manus Island.

More trials and related learning experiences will be developed to deal with a range of relevant issues that may include drug related crimes, terrorism laws, gay and lesbian rights, public demonstrations and industrial relations.

For more information or to make a booking phone 03 9663 7228 or email us.
caje@nattrust.com.au