Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1842. When she was in Penola, South Australia she met Julian Tenison Woods and together they opened the first St Joseph's School in 1866.
Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of St Joseph to continue this work. Over the many following years, the number of Sisters grew as did their schools. Schools were opened as the needs arose: in country towns, mining towns, cities. The Sisters also became involved in other areas of need including setting up a refuge for women in need and orphanages for children, visiting prisons and working with the sick.
Allora
From the school website …
The school we now know as St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School was, over the years, also known as Allora Convent School and St Joseph’s Catholic School. The school was first officially opened on January 23rd, 1916 by Archbishop Duhig. Father Carroll was responsible for ensuring that a school and convent was opened in this area. In the first year 108 students were enrolled. There were boarders attending the "Convent School" from the very first year. These boarding students were housed in the convent building and were cared for by the Sisters. When the school buses began operation in 1957, the option to board was no longer offered by the school.
The first three staff members of the school, who trained the children up to perform at the opening, were musically talented Sisters of St Joseph: Sister M. Raphael (a music teacher), Sister M. Amata (the founding principal and an accomplished pianist) and Sister Joseph Edward (a gifted singer). They started a rich tradition which continues to this day, with the current students of St Patrick’s often called upon to perform in community concerts and events.
Prior to a Catholic school being built in Allora, lessons were first provided in the Allora Catholic Church which was built in 1871. A hall was later moved onto the present site of the school and this was used for classrooms. This second school building was known as O'Callaghan's Hall. It was moved through the town in 1921 from Drayton Street to the school grounds by traction engine. It was then renovated and used as the school until 1994. Many concerts and musicals were staged in this building and it was also used as a venue for dances and balls. In 1994 the hall was removed so the present building could be built. The newly rebuilt school was blessed and opened by Bishop William Morris in 1995.
The Sisters of St Joseph staffed the school totally for 52 years, with Sister Francesca being the last religious principal of St Patrick’s. The first lay principal was appointed in 1986.
Mary MacKillop ….
Mary MacKilop's famous saying was "Never see a need without doing something about it"
Well..... there was a need, a geochache in her honour, and something has been done about it!
This is one of many caches placed in significant locations of her story.
Mary died on August 8th, 1909.
She was declared Australia’s first Saint in 2010.
THANKYOU TO kandg who has hidden the cache to be part of the Mary MacKillop series and will maintain it.