MERCY, THE GOULBURN CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF
(RSM) 1859
This foundation arose from the generous endeavours of Mother Ignatius Murphy and her five other volunteers from the Mercy convent at Westport, Co. Mayo. These Sisters came to the Goulburn District with the intention of educating children and if possible working among the Aborigines.
With an enthusiastic welcome from the local community, the Sisters began teaching in the parish school of Goulburn in 1859. Within a matter of months young women began to enter the convent seeking to become Sisters of Mercy. A boarding school became another area for the community with the result a building programme began. The usual secondary subjects were offered with foreign languages. A fine reputation was established and many of these well educated students in turn became teachers in other Catholic schools. A Girls’ orphanage was opened.
The convent flourished to the extent that with a warm invitation from the priest and people of Albury, the Sisters were able to make another foundation in this Murray River town in 1868. The financial support offered by Protestants and Catholics greatly assisted in these foundations.
Soon a popular boarding and day school existed in Albury. The Sisters continued to visit the sick, the poor, the imprisoned and the dying in the local hospital.
Because of the number of young women entering the convent and the withdrawal of government assistance in the maintenance of Catholic schools, the Sisters were invited to and were able to respond in offering an education in Boorowa (1882), Cootamundra (1882) and Gundagai (1885).
This Congregation was responsible for establishing the first convent in inland Australia.
Suggested Reading
M.R. MacGinley A Dynamic of Hope: Institutes of Women Religious in Australia.
Crossing Press, Sydney, 1996
If further information is required about individual Sisters the following address is given:
The Archivist
Goulburn Congregation Sisters of Mercy
P.O. Box 221
GOULBURN NSW 2580
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 Congregation.