In the spirit of the Charism given to this Foundress, Nano Nagle, the Presentation Sisters are women called by a loving and compassionate Father who missions them to walk with His Son Jesus (Luke 24:15) to touch and be touched by the mystery of human life, to proclaim the Good News to the Poor (Luke 4:18), and to bring healing and forgiveness, hope and joy.

Like Nano, the Sisters have seen and still see themselves called to work "especially with the poor and disadvantaged of our society" to bring about a kingdom of justice and peace.

Five Sisters arrived in Wagga Wagga on May 29^th, 1874, from Kildare. Bishop Lanigan of Goulburn Diocese commissioned Dr. McAlroy to visit Ireland and implore Religious Sisters to come to the Riverina where so many Irish Catholics were settled and serve these isolated families and their children. Two and a half years were spent in a small cottage with classes being held in Stables. The building of "Mt Erin" was plagued by financial tangles, the scars of which did not easily heal. The inability of Dr. Birmingham, a Carlow theologian, to handle practicalities of building, brought him a certain disfavour with Bishop Lanigan.

The early trials of the Congregation centres on difficulties between them and the Bishop - over the fact that three Sisters leaving leaving Wagga Wagga to make a Foundation at Elsternwick in Victoria, that poverty bit into their meagre income from minimal school fees, that "Mount Erin" was a mile out of town and away from the parish church and finally that the leading Irish settlers, especially John Cox and John Donnelly felt abandoned when the Bishop refused to allow the nuns to take boarders, something that these men had taken for granted for their daughters. Both men had died before the Boarding School became a reality with a gala opening in 1890, at which the Bishop officially opened the building.

Nevertheless the Sisters saw the rapid expansion of the schools, especially Mt. Erin. The first 44 years (up to 1918) saw expansion into Queensland, Victoria and West Australia, as well as into Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes and Sydney, and four country Houses.

The erection of a magnificent Chapel opened 1915, despite outbreak of World War I was another achievement. The Sisters’ students received outstanding academic and music results. Women were educated. Music, art and drama were appreciated and basic home making skills were taught. Overcoming constant lack of money by self sacrificing labour, borne entirely by the Sisters is something the Sisters took on their daily lot..

The Apostolate of the Sisters focused on Parish Primary schools and on a select school. Special care was given towards the needy children. The Sisters also cared for the Churches, lead church choirs, gave individual instruction of "converts" to the Faith and provision of every aspect of loving care to children entrusted to the them.

The simple vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience were pronounced at profession. In the year 1855, at the request of the Most Rev. Dr Dixon, primate of All Ireland, His Holiness Pius IX, not only granted the Presentation Order of Nuns the privilege of wearing rings, but was graciously pleased to give the model. On being asked what might there be a motto, His Holiness replied: THE CROSS WILL SUFFICE FOR ALL.

Besides a profession ring, the sisters now wear the Presentation Badge which is shaped asymmetrically, as an Aboriginal Shield. Enclosed in the space is a cross, similar to the ring, and the stylised letters PBVM.

Further Suggested Reading:

Connell, M. Rosarie All peoples clap your hands: Mt. Erin boarding school centenary Wagga Wagga NSW:

PBVM, 1990

Dowd, B. & Searle, S. Centenary Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sydney, 1973

Wagga Wagga, NSW 1874-1974

Watson, Bernadette Embrace the past with remembrance - History of Mt. Erin, Wagga Summit Press,

Canberra, 1975.

If further information is required about individual Sisters the following address is given:

The Archivist

Wagga Wagga Congregation Presentation Sisters

39 Regent Street

REGENTS PARK NSW 2143

In writing to the Archivist, it would be appropriate that a financial contribution be made for the Archivist’s time and expertise.

Religious Orders or Congregations have released the details on their members. It is understood that the copyright of any material (including the listing of the names of the Sisters) relevant to a particular Order or Congregation in this publication remains with the relevant Order or