Memories of Abbotsford Convent on an Ebay discussion forum
March 31st, 2007
On an Ebay discussion forum, of all places, are to be found a series of uniformly adverse recollections by former residents of the Abbotsford Convent, and some other Catholic institutions. One woman’s story, pieced together by me from multiple posts, with a little editing, is:
‘It was indeed the Convent of the Good Shepherd, the Sacred Heart Class was where we kids worked our butts off to feed the nuns and the orphans (the orphans I don’t mind helping to feed …… ) and St Euphrasia was for schooling. So there were four sections in all. When my father placed me in the convent (I wasn’t in trouble by the way, at least not pregnant…), my father got rid of me as a plaything and the convent was as good as anywhere else.
We girls got up early, went to mass, came back, attended the refectory where we all had breakfast (such as it was) then we went to work. I was only a kid back then and didn’t know better, I just accepted their slavery as normal! Hubbys Bub [another poster on the disucssion board] the stories we could tell, your friend and I except my heart already feels as if it is breaking in two. As for my anger it’s getting like a great big ball. I don’t dare say too much else, as right now im not coping well at all.
This I want to say: breakfast was luke-warm porridge with a slice of STALE bread. Lunch on the other hand was soup, with the morning’s left over porridge added for volume! Please, I just need someone else to back me up as I know it sounds unbelievable!
We worked so hard. I usually worked in the ironing room, but did some time in the mangle room, which is a huge round press that one fed sheets and such into! Anyone who knows me will tell you I loathe ironing, hence most of my clothing is drip dry!
We had a huge bath and toilet area. We had a bath once a fortnight from memory and even so the water we used had been used several times before we got in Y…..UCKO! The crows, usually called auxiliaries, would drag us down there and beat the bejes-s out of us if some nun had a complaint against any of us. Never mind if it was true or not. Biff! Bash! And cop that! Until we grew older and now and then fought back.
There was also a method of complaint called standing on the slab. We would walk off work and stand in the middle of the room and that’s where we stayed until bedtime. We could eat the muck they gave us for breakfast, then the nun in charge of our workplace would ask us if we were prepared to work. I was too stubborn to comply and so went without many a meal. Some of the girls would try and smuggle us something, but it was usually at extreme risk to themselves, and many a child went down the toilet just for feeling pity for a fellow sufferer.
I make absolutely no apologies whatsoever for despising those cows called nuns if they were the gaurdian of our souls then god help us. I looked at my granddaughter and thought I wasn’t much older or bigger than that when I first went there! HANG your heads in shame, you women who were portrayed as the gaurdians of our bodies and souls. SHAME SHAME on you! The only time I have ever stepped inside a Catholic church since was to attend a funeral. I wandered around for some time after that eventually I realised I had a spiritual need so looked deeply into the Bible, and now I know what’s actually in the Bible, I despise them even more. Not only because they were nuns, but primarily because they were WOMEN!
Totally unforgiveable bvehaviour, however I can forgive (not easily ) but because the Bible directs us to! I DEFINITELY CANNOT FORGET THOUGH. I have deliberately wiped a lot of menories away, in order to survive and a survivor is exactly what I am and can take a little comfort in that.’
206 Responses to “Memories of Abbotsford Convent on an Ebay discussion forum”
01
Sent: 8/2/2007 2:43 PM
hi all my name is angela i was as a child in the good shepherd convent abbotsford from 1968 till 1971 i attended inside school with the nuns t for three years and 1 year in the sewing room and mangle room were we had to repair on the sewing machines all torn sheets also making clothing for the 1000 or so people who were in the convent there was a mixture of down syndromes and old laddies it was a weird set up how we were all mixed together but when the girls from winlaton and winbirra came to the convent i would be told by the nun in our group go and deflea her by this she meant to do there hair with kerosene and water and put paper under them and use a nit comb the old steel ones and do there hair then take them to the shower block were they had a shower and then waited for were they would be placed this copuld be the laundry, the packing room, the mangle room, the ironing room, were you would work or go to school but after school was out you had to work till tea time just wondering if any one went to the abbotsford convent and would they remember mother our lady or mother louis who were the head nuns of when you first entered into the convent would love any comment on this
Sent: 8/2/2007 2:36 PM
02
Hi Angela,
I certainly remember Mother Our Lady and Mother Louis. I was put into the YTC in August ‘66 and managed to get home at Christmas 68. I was put into the packing room when I arrived, but couldn’t seem to fit in there, and actually got a transfer to the ironing room with M Louis (probably the pick of the bunch) when I asked to be moved. But I don’t remember any de-fleaing. I did end up attending the school, and of course ironed my little heart out before and afterwards – oh boy, did I hate the waiter’s jackets that were starched to the consistency of a plank of wood. The food was terrible – although occasionally (I think St Pat’s day) it wasn’t bad – and the stewed tea was awful, especially the times you got to the bottom of the cup and found a clump of cat hair in it. It’s been a lot of years since then, but I think about it often. Perhaps I need to revisit the site and see what it has become now – maybe that would be enough to purge myself of the memories.
03
Angela and Valerie ,I hear you and every word you say
rings some bell ! Angela , shower block!?things must have improved since my time .I feel such affinity with you both,and I chat with another VICTIM , and we have developed a strong friendship ,I feel in some way we (she and I) are teachers and pupils also.and frequen tly thank God that we came in contact.As they say it was meant to be !
04
If either of you would like to talk via email I can be contacted at valerie.murrell@bigpond.com.
05
hi valerie i was in the sewing room they called it the granary i saw mother louis about 8 years ago she was at the st albans good shepherd services she got the shock of her life when i spoke to her did you know mother albert from the sewing room when i was talking about de fleaing thats what the nuns used to say i had to use a nit comb and kerosene and do the girls hair when they were new to the convent i was in there from 1968 till 1971 is when i left the convent was closed down after that i moved back there latter in life my x husband used to manage the convent grounds he was a gardener we lived in a house in the side street of the convent its were the collingwood childrens farm is my children helped to start the farm when they were little we moved away latter to williamstown i now live in west sunshine but you never forget the convent i would like to organize another reunion sometime regards angela dyer
06
Hi all I remember M Our lady ,and sweet M Perpetua ,also Albert in the sewing room and Aloysius in the ironing room ,Other names are a little blurry as I was in there in the fifties .When we were there a Dutch family called the Goeys (I think thats how you spell it…. like who cares ?)were resident in the house next to the convent ,they were the general dogs bodies ,overseeing
the farm and also the caretakers I think .Angela that was where you lived ,reading these comments opens it all up ,and even though my first blog (Taken from Ebays Chin wag ) sounds unbelievable ,I promise its all true
I so need someone other than myself and who was there at the same time as I, to simply back me up .You know what hurts me so cruelly is all those girls who went before and whoes voices are now silent forever RIP my sisters.
07
HELLO MAUREEN AGAIN HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE SITE CALLED CLAN IT IS A SITE FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE INSTUTIONALIZED YOU CAN JOIN IT I HAVE MY OWN SITE IT IS CALL goodshepherdgirlsaustralia@groups.msn.com I OPENED THIS UP FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE WARDS OF THE STATE OR JUST PUT INTO HOMES CAN MAYBE FIND SOME OLD FRIENDS OR TALK TO PEOPLE IF THEY WANT TO VOICE AN OPINION OF THE WAY THEY WERE TREATED IN THE HOMES MAYBE YOU COULD JOIN OR YOUR FRIEND TAKE ALOOK AT IT ALL THE BEST ANGELA DYER
08
Angela, were you there when that girl jumped out of the granary window? I was in the ironing-room bathroom and no-one came to let me out for hours. And what about when the aboriginal girls all got away together? Must have been 8 or 10 of them, and they got out through the theatre window? I’ve never been back, but have thought for some time that I would like to go there now that it’s different. I wonder how long it would take for all the repressed memories to come flooding back. And then I wonder whether I really want to go there again, because it’s a place I tried to put out of my mind for so many years. I wonder if we ever get together whether we will remember each other?
Maureen, it’s great that you have a mate. It would be good to get together and talk to someone about the “good old days”. As you know very well, it is impossible to talk to someone who hasn’t been there, and it’s not even worth trying. You might have been there at a different time, but I don’t imagine anything was any different. Freezing cold dormitories (at least I was in one of the nice ones they had for show) because they didn’t believe in heating. Ironing and mangle rooms warm in winter, but sweltering in summer. If they were lucky they might get a drink of Sal Vital after a full day’s work in over 40 degree heat – they must have worried we would all collapse if they didn’t. Packing room cool in summer but freezing in winter. The granary was probably the best place to be in most respects. I looked at Clan before, but now I know there are more of US there, I will look further into it.
Thanks for the info you provided. We will talk again soon.
09
Greetings Valerie and Angela . I am absolutely hopeless on the computer so I ll give you this Addy and hope you will be kind enough to reply .I am so hoping you will . jaydub2000@optusnet.com.au
Best wishes and keep smiling!
10
Memories of Xmas at the Convent ,early rise for Mass
back to a decent? brekky, Lunch ? well the nuns and others in the inmates kitchen outdid themselves on the 25th of
December ,the food was tasty ,edible for once ! Amazing and best of all, at dinner time on that day we got the leftovers from the nuns kitchen .So once more ,even in thier generosity we were made aware of the distinct gap between the nuns and the girls ! What a cheek ,considering we were the ones who worked under dreadful conditions to
bring home the bacon ,as it were !
11
I rang Clan also Valerie and Angela,they assured me they would contact me so I just need to wait and see . Thanks for both the info and the encouragement.
We women really are a society within ourselves ,and need to find out as much as is possible .I myself . intend to write the story one day .I believe if nothing else, it will help me to overcome a lot of personal problems I still retain .
12
maureen were is the ebay discussion place i cant find it were do i go to
13
Afternoon Angela, I tried to locate it from the addy on top of this blog ,but that particul discussion was a fair while ago and they dont stay around for too long as there is always a new topic being introduced .It was a Chin wag Post ,I wish you luck
but are you a member of Ebay? ,cos you need to be to access Chin Wag Cheers Maureen
14
Hi ,I just found out that the land Abbotsford
Convent was built on was originally owned by the
Wurungeri tribe .I consider that to be fascinating !
Hang on, I retract the word owned ,as Ithink that could be considered offensive to the Aboriginals
15
I have been reading your stories of your experiences of the Abbotsford Convent and am interested in hearing more. I am a writer who has a studio at the covent and am hoping to document some of the stories of the people who lived and worked here to get a sense of what it was like before people like me moved in to use it as a place of creative work. I think it is so important to hear the human stories that unfolded within these walls. If anyone would like to contact me via my email at carmelmeiklejohn@yahoo.co.uk I would be happy to hear from you.
Kind regards,
Carmel Meiklejohn
16
Hey Angela and Valerie,Chin up , and onward into the fray.I replied to Carmel,trying to explain the reality ,that being its kind of like speaking another language ,not just the loss of freedom,but the very real lack of emotion shown .I do believe in my case i was furious
that i was being punished because of another persons inability to care, and the fact that the Nuns knew it all ,and still considered young girls as slaves and
quite bad !Valerie ,did you get my Email?) in reply, I did send one and hope you got it.I would so much like to hear from you again ,Im quite a bit older than both of you and saw different things in my time ,but as they say Sufficient to the day !Take care ladies ,and may the tooth fairy leave a winning Tattslotto ticket
under your pillow, Lots of love, Maureen.
17
Hi Angela and all,
Just found this discussion group. I was at Abbotsford during 1965 – 1968. I was in the sewing room at first then transferred to the Mangle room. Also had to go to school within. Have been seeking people from that period maybe to catch up and have a reunion. I have recently moved back from Qld where I lived for 10 years. Even though it was tough going in Abbotsford I made some friends there that I have never forgot, but unfortunately cannot find anymore. Hope you all take care. Pls reply soon
Warmest regards,
Dianne
18
Welcome Dianne,you will probably relate better to Valerie and Angela as they were there around the same time as you .I was a little earlier, but just like you will never forget Great to see you joining our blog
Best wishes and big hugz, Maureen.
19
welcome to all i run a website for people who have been in homes so they can talk to others who have been there too we desperatly need more people to join as its new i know it takes time but anyone interested here is my site goodshepherdgirlsaustralia@groups.msn.com warmest regards angela dyer
20
Angela ,I have tried several to send messages to you good shepherd girls austalia etc . Sadly they have all been returned
21
I was in the convent 1969-70. I worked in the mangle room with Mother Francis Xavier. I try not to remember the early wakeups and that bloody bell they rang to get you out of bed and on your knees. We had a few physically challenged people in there with us and they were the ones I felt sorry for. They were expected to do as much as us able bodied people. I remember Mother Louis Bertram (parlour) and Mother Louis who was the head nun in our section. She reminded me of a ferret and she had the attitude to match. Mother Madonna left just after I came and Mother Louis ttok over. There is no point trying to tell anyone who wasn’t there what it was like because they just don’t believe you. Nuns are supposed to be nice not nasty……and a lot of the nuns there were very nasty. Needless to say I had my fill of religion in there and now I go to church for wedding, funerals and baptisms, that’s it.
22
A genuine welcome to you Janet ,no doubt angela will offer you an invitation to join her group ,I joined
a short time ago and only by others joining will the website succeed ,So think about it please . I am still hanging in here ,hoping against hope that someone of my age will respond .Mind you I really love speaking to all former slaves of the Good Shepherd.I have a soft
spot for all of the girls who shared our experiences . (now women). I hope to have you return to the blog ,and share our experiences. Maureen
23
hi janet i was there from 1968 till 1971 i was in the sewing room with mother albert i remember mother francis xavier and francis who was in charge of toy section in the mangle room i remember mother louis she was the head nun from the ironing room till she became in charge of were we were do you remember the swimming pool how we were aloud to use it after work i was in school for 3 years then one year of sewing in the sewing room but inbetween we had to work in the laundry and the mangle room do you remember girls escaping from the packing room in the work trucks up the lane way and picture night in the stage area and the plays we had to do and singing on friday night with mother good counsel for mass on sunday her sister was in charge before mother lois her name was mother our lady do you remember her maybe we will all get together one day for a reunion i went back there 3 years ago abd went through the dormitories and were we used to eat bought back memories regards angela
24
goodshepherdgirlsaustralia@groups.msn.com please join this site angela
25
Hi Maureen & Angela. Thank you for your warm welcome. Yes Angela I do remember the things you wrote about. I was there at the time Mother Francis got her collie dog Honey. Do you remember her? I also remember Elsie who could knit like no one else I knew. And Henrietta who used to look after Mothers budgies. I remember one time when Mother went away for some reason, Henrietta cut the budgies nails too short and there was blood everywhere. I also remember Carol who was severly handicapped but could lip read really well and if she thought you were talking about her she would go off tap BIG TIME. And Cathy, the poor love, always waiting for her brother to come get her and he never did. Everything she ate was “milky pie”. I do remember the stage area…..I remember making a complete fool of m self by attempting to sing “There’s a hole in my bucket”with some other girl…..boy did we make a mess of it…lol. The nun I called Mother Madonna was Mother Our Lady. I got introduced to her as Mother Madonna. I only saw her the first night I was there. She was replaced by Mother Louis after that.
My daughter took some photos of the convent a few years ago and gave them to me. Boy did they bring back memories. The were taken when the convent was in bad disrepair. Thank you for letting me talk about it. It is not something that has been a secret in my family, my kids & grandkids know all about my time there. They try to understand but unless you have lived it you can never understand it. Keep your chins up girls, we are the survivors and I for one am very proud of the fact that they didn’t break me. Kindest regards
Janet
26
Hi Janet ,I tried to reply to your post on the 19th ,but must have been too critical of the nuns,as they blocked my opinion ( AGAIN)Whats new ?How are you ? really hope to hear from you again.I think of religion in an entirely different way ,I ask why should people who just dont get it ,block my way to God ?Also I remember Mother Our Lady very well ,she was tall ,graceful and very Madonna-ish.Im going down there soon myself to get some photos taken .And one final thing ,I approached Carmel Meikeljohnand, her replies were so down to earth,I found a lot of what she told me very interesting .Take special care ,
and hopefully we will be in touch with each other soon
Maureen
27
Hi Carmel,thanks for your reply to my Email .I see where you told me you wanted to keep the( doco?)
balanced .I lost it a little at that ,but realise you need to be seem as impartial .Still, Just remembering how totally unbalanced it was for us back then and where were our rights .Even now ,the odds are in favor of our custodians , back then it was much much worse ! Still i wish you well with your venture ,and it was great to talk with you Maureen
28
Hi dianne,I remember you,we were both in the mangle rm,I was ther from 65 till 67,last time i saw you was at the johnny Okeef concert in Werribee,would love to catch up.Halina
29
HI ALL WOMEN WHO WERE IN THE GOOD SHEPHERD CONVENT AT ABBOTSFORD PLEASE GET INTOUCH WITH ME BY EMAIL I AM TRYING TO GET AS MANY POSSIBLE TOGETHER FOR A REUNION AT THE GOOD SHEPHERD CONVENT ABBOTSFORD IT WILL DEPEND UPON HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO ATTEND IF WE HAVE THE REUNION IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE LAST OF ITS KIND I NEED ALL REPLIES BACK TO ME NO LATTER THAN THE 30TH OF SEPTEMBER AS I HOPE TO HAVE A BARBIE OR SANDWICHES DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER BUT HOPE TO ORGANIZE AROUND OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2008 PLEASE REPLY TO ANGELA DYER EMAIL ADDRESS angelad9492@hotmail.com
30
As a young child growing up in such a horriable place what did we do that was so bad in them days,may be the youth of today should experience what we went through and they would have more respect.like my sister debbie said it has made us a stronger person in our own way the scares will never go but know there are people around that can relate to what we went through the healing should get a bit better Anglia we abmire you for what you are doing and good luck keep the good work up and debbie and l say thank you for just being there .karen and debbie love to hear back from u soon
31
hi all just a quick not to let everyone know the reunion for the good shepherd convent is going well so far have over 50 women so all women who were in the convent between years 1930s through to 1972 who were in the sacret heart class st marys class or st josephs please email me or ring me if you are intersted it would be great to get more it is going to be on the 15th november 2008 but i need replies back to me no latter than 30th of september 2008 hope to hear from anyone who was there cheers angela dyer
32
Hi Angela,
I attended St. Euphrasia’s from 1962 to 1966 and obviously had friends in my classes that were boarding at the convent. Does this reunion include ex students the likes of me or only for those that were at Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s or St. J’s?
33
I have just been reading through all of your stories and I am absolutely horrified. As I said earlier I attended St. Euphrasia’s,from 1962-1966 and yes we did have what we called the convent girls also attend our classes however the Sacred Heart girls were never discussed. I vaguely remember one time when Mother Austen who taught year 8or Form 2 as we called it, has a group of us walk through the convent gardens which only happened the once whilst I attended the school, to practice netball on one on the courts past the Sacred Heart Building. We were told to turn and look the other way when we went passed the building. I always wondered why. Now I think I know. That same nun one day did an atrocious thing to one of the girls from the convent by the name of Sandra. Sandra gave this nun some cheek during class and for her efforst was literally thrown out of the room and the poor thing fell down the stairs. I left after year 8 so I don’t know what became of her. The other nuns I remember are Mother Thomas, (tom tom the atom bomb we called her), Mother Bede, Mother Louise and a lovely nun whose name escapes me that used to take music class. I believe she ended up leaving the convent. May have been Mother Immaculata? All of you who suffered under the hands of the nuns, I don’t know how you survived. I truly hope that you will all be able to put that era out of your minds and try to find peace and happiness which you all so truly deserve. Luisa
34
i am only organizeing for st marys sacret heart and st josephs but if you think you may know some of the girls you are quite welcome to attend email me and let me know angelad9492@hotmail.com cheers angela
35
Luisa, How lovely of you to write those warm and caring thoughts ,Its so much appreciated.I know also that the nuns used to tell the girls to turn away from us ,they even went so far as to tell some that we were BAD girls .The story you tell about the girl who fell ? down the stairs ,i have heard a very similar story myself ,from another student ,but this time it was Sister Thomas who was the offender ? so .so far Ive come to ascertain that the nuns were slanderers ,dishonest,and physically cruel as well! Thats just the beginning …,and they called us unfit ? Honestly Luisa ,I was there simply because I wasnt wanted ,as were many many others ,how dare they label us bad ? And they represent JESUS ?? its a joke !! And far as Angel;a is concerned i think all her efforts are toward getting this reunion up and going ,but im sure she is as pleased as I am to hear from you .Please write again ,I have a very soft spot for others who were in the Convent ,and I wish you well ,and thank you for sharing your memories with such beautiful honesty !
36
Luisa ,I have been in touch with my special friend who was also a student in the bowels of hell !
Well ,hell for her and a few others too from what i gather !She tells me almost the exact same story
as you wrote ,BUT I was mistaken ,it was Sister Austen (not Sister Thomas) who was involved with the
stair incident .My heart fills with such sadness when she speaks of her time at St Euphrasias ,we Sacred Heart Classgirls kind of expected some forms of abuse ,but she was merely going to school ! Outrageous!
37
Hi Maureen, I knew it wasn’t old tom tom ‘cos she had difficulty climbing stairs for one and secondly this happened in front of my eyes. Sandra was sitting in the front seat of my row and I was about 4 desks back from memory. The poor girl did not know the answer to a question posed to her by Sr Austen and was then abused and asked if she was stupid. Sandra answered back and that was it. Austen went over and told her, shouting I might add, to get out of her classroom and pushed her to the rear entrance of our class where she fell down the stairs. We never saw Sandra after that day and I never found out what happened to her. Young kids today don’t know how lucky they are. We also experienced both boys and girls having to bend over desks and receiving the bamboo end of the feather duster as punishment. I myself got the cane but on the hand. Austen was also very strict. We could not make any noise in the room not even drop a pencil, because the class beneath us would be able to hear it. I did accidently drop a pencil and had to write 10,000 lines by hand “I must not drop my pencil in class”. I don’t think it taught me anything other than taping 4 pens together to get the task over quicker. Fortunately I am, and was pretty strong willed and I never let things like that upset me. But then again I had family to go home to and laugh with them about it too. Mum actually helped me tape the four pens together. I also got on the wrong side of tom tom one day. She left me in charge of the sewing class because I had experience at home with a tredle machine. Well one girl made a mess of her work. She did not ask for help nor tell me she was having difficulties, so I didn’t even know she mucked up. Tom tom came back and tore strips of me to which I answered back and told her how it was. She just walked away thank goodness. No I don’t think we would be believed if we told 10-12 yearolds how strict they were back then and what methods were used to punish us. Today kids walk out of classrooms, answer back and some just retaliate either physically or by telling the authorities and the law takes their side thank god. When I think back we had a lot of good times at school but teachers were strict and we did as we were told. May have taught us respect which is sadly lacking in the younger generations sadly. Did you ever have anything to do with a Mother Louise. She was a Novice when she started teaching year 6. Must have been around 1964. Tall woman. We always knew when the priest was visiting because she wore perfume. Very funny really. Don’t know if it was a coincidence or not, but perfume she wore.
38
Isnt that hilarious LOL.wonder where she got the perfume from??Thats a real puzzler !Mother Immaculata ?
I think I may know her neice ,Im not too sure,but it stirs a memory in my mind .I have done quite a bit of conversing with many women who were at Abbotsford ,and have picked up quite a lot of info along the way . I was down visiting the childrens farm a while back ,and heard children (happy children ) crying out and laughing from the same grey and sad building where the ST Joeys children lived .I cant remember hearing children at all while I was a guest of the Nuns ,so I asked a worker from the farm ,and she told me the happy kids were children from the Sophia Mundi school who use the premises now .You know I didnt even know I was crying until she offered me a tissue .. By the way I think the Sandra you speak of was one of the orphans from ST joeys !Cant be positive ,but i think so . Great to see you making the effort,Thanks and take care ! Maureen. Dont forget to come and say hi from time to time!
39
I want to give you my personal Email addy ,its
Jaydub2000@optusnet.com.au.I think I may know someone who would appreciate contact with you ,Of course its up to you 100% ,but please let me assure this women would never intrude ,she is a true person of honour !
40
Hi Maureen are you a member of my site as you said you had joined and i couldnt find you on there what years were you in sacred heart class and what section were you in also are you going to the reunion on the 15th of november hope to see you there please email me if you are going to attend at angelad9492@hotmail.com
41
Hi Maureen, Yes, it was hilarious. Where did she get it from? Probably the Priest!! Take care and enjoy the reunion.
42
HI TO ALL OUT THERE MAYBEE SOMEONE KNOWS THESE PEOPLE I AM LOOKING FOR FOR THE REUNION AT ABBOTSFORD THEY WERE IN SACRED HEART PART IN 1968 TILL 1971
GABRIEL CROCKER,MARGARET CROCKER,MARY CROCKER,COLLEEN MUNDY,GAIL BAMFORD, CAROL SANDERSON, JENNY JACOBSEN,JUDY JOHNSTONE,JULIE MCSHANE,ROBIN MATHIESON,SHIRLEY SPENCE,JENNY PHILIPS,DOROTHY MILANIE,MAUREEN GAFFENY, AND ANY OTHERS THERE FROM THESE YEARS IF SO PLEASE EMAIL ANGELA ON ANGELAD9492@HOTMAIL.COM THANK YOU
43
Hi all ,in reply to your question Angela ,you ask if I was in the sacred heart class ,when in fact all you really need to do to ascertain that is read the original post on this blog to realise that !.I was the
person who was quoted and I have told you that much before ,but you seem to have so much on your mind it appears to have slipped by .If you put me down as a participant of the reunion I will do my best to get there . Thanks for your invite ,it is appreciated ! Do you though ,realise that many many of the former ressies CANNOT bring themselves to even go near the place ,and perhaps that fact may assist you .By the way ,did your parents ever own a milk bar in Abbotsford ? I dont think you are the angela involved ,but thought Id ask ,Regards , Maureen.
44
Hi everyone,
Maureen, you are right that many of us will find it difficult to revisit the site. I know I would find it difficult to do so on my own. However, the reunion is the perfect time to make the necessary pilgrimage in order to exorcise some of the demons that had their birth there. With sisters at my side, I believe I can, and will, do what is necessary. At least we will be in company with others who know what we are remembering and feeling.
45
Angela,I have been there and in fact I didnt intend
visiting SHC ,my friend was looking for a restaurant on the premises and I just kind of stumbled upon it . The big Iron gates with the barbed wire are gone ,but its so sad in there ,If I hadnt been with my friend that day ,I dont know how I would have coped . I just sat there ,drinking in the memories ,and I felt so stunned and lost I wasnt really comprehending the enormity of it ! If you havent visited before be prepared for a feeling like you are being kicked in the chest ,well at least ,thats how i felt .I love the way you use the expression SISTERS ,as thats exactly the way I think of others who were there ! Best wishes maureen
46
maureen i have been through that convent when the nuns still owned the convent in 1973 i lived down st helliers street my three children were born at the house in st helliers street my husband who died last year of cancer worked for the nuns as a gardener and when the convent was sold still worked for the institute of early childhood who bought the convent i went over there many times as he used to upkeep the swimming pool as well and the nuns used to visit me frequently over the years we live there around 8 years then moved away
47
Hi Everyone,
That’s the spirit Valerie. I sincerely hope that you and all those who can muster the courage to go down St. HELLier’s St. again, will find the strength to stand before those buildings and say, ” I see a bunch of old derelict, empty, unloved buildings. I stand here a proud survivor of the attrocities afflicted upon me behind these walls, and I am full of life and LOVED. I will not give any further satisfaction to those who governed here by allowing my life to be adversely affected anymore, for I am free.” I so sincerely wish you all can find closure and be able to enjoy your lives in peace and tranquility. You are ALL amazing.
48
Oh Valerie,So sorry ,I mistook your post as one from Angela .Its great to hear from you again and I mean that most sincerely .Actually I havent been here for quite a while myself ,but then Luisa posted here and
it sparked my interest over again . I must admit Ive been wondering how you are ,and here you pop up again! !
I am somewhat older than most of the women on this blog, ,Ill look for you for sure but how will I know you . ?Spose its not really necessary ,if you keep your eyes out for a RED
scooter .with a fairly substantial woman aboard! LOL!
Horrors ,Ive just had a dreadful thought ,the nuns arent invited are they ? shreik , horror !Now that would be an event Id stand up and physically run from.
Angela , I am aware that you lived in the house the caretakers used .when we went past it it had a few lonely windchimes chiming forlornly in the wind ..
and it was also quite overgrown .(Apart from the fact that you and your family resided there ),it seemed fitting somehow .
Luisa ,your positive thoughts are so appreciated and thanks ,all i need now to make my cup runneth over is for my sweeet Anniekins to come and say a word or two
Anniekins?(A pet name for a lovely soul I am privileged to know )Caring wishes to all !
49
Angela,Please assure me of this fact …I initially wrote about the nuns attending in jest ,but now am wondering if they will be there ? Also ,I realise the need for all classes to attend the reunion, and we the sacred heart CLASS girls will have access to the building itself ,but what about the school girls and ST Josephs residents ? Will those folk have access ?Can I just express my thoughts in this way ,its OUR reunion ,and only we ex residents or schoolgirls should be there to meet one another. Thats how I feel anyway Best wishes , Maureen
50
being a former student of st.euphrasia’s 1965 -1968 this blog brought back so many memories, especially luisa gerler’s emails as i was in her class and lived in the same street. i am so sorry to hear of what went on inside the convent, and my heart goes out to you all. those of us who were day students did not know that the sacred heart girls were treated so badly infact we were made to think that they were lucky having the nuns look after them. i remember so many of those sweet convent girls who were my friends. these are some of the girls: sandra edmondston, marion wadsworth, susan & wendy papworth, heather dow(one of my best friends), beverly pinkham, vicky evans & many more. love to hear from any one of you,your friend theresa xx
51
Theresa ,thanks for your message ,unfortunately I am unable to contact Luisa ,as much as Id like to ! I guess we just need to hope and pray that she will come back to visit .Its actually a bit of a waiting game on this particular blog, as people might only post once and never come back !For your sake I hope Luisa
returns and sees your message . Warm wishes to you ,and thanks for making the effort to get in touch .Perhaps we will hear from you in the future ,I hope so! Keep smiling , Maureen .
52
hi there i just had a look at the women that i have on the list for the reunion and
i only have a susan papworth she was in st josephs in 1965 maybee you know her
this is her email address susanbowen@hotmail.com i hope this helps cheers angela
53
hi again angela and maureen. how i wish i could come to the reunion, but living so far away in malta is almost impossible to make it. thanks for susan’s email add.i will email her and hope she remembers me.i’m anxiously waiting for luisa to contact me as well.i will be looking at this blog whenever i’m on the computer.i wish you all the best for your reunion and who knows i might come & meet you one day. i was last in australia in the year 2000.best wishes, theresa x
54
A warm hello to everyone. Here I am. I haven’t been able to log in again due to a mountain of things that needed attention and not enough hours to attend to them. Seems the older I become the slower I get. Hi Theresa, I do remember you and all the girls you mentioned. Please, if you would like to contact me, do so at Luisa@lgfinance.net
The invitation extends to anyone else who would like to contact me also. Like you, when I fell upon this site purely by accident,(must have been divine providence!), I was totally incredulous at what transpired behind those walls and under our noses. Believe me I did not sleep well for many a night. How could any human being do that to another human being let alone a nun?
I read you are living in Malta. How is it there? Please drop me an email and that way we can converse properly.
Keep well and happy everyone.
Luisa
55
how wonderful to hear from you luisa,and so glad you remembered me. i too was amazed at what went on inside the convent. but as you probably know things have began to uncover all over the world of what went on behind closed doors at catholic orphanages (even in malta). it’s only lately that the children of catholic institutes who have become adults are speaking out. they were too afraid then, and anyway who would have beleived them. mind you not all the nuns were strict. i remember mother helen,mother bead,mother john and many others who were gentle and kind. i suppose though it was different once you were a convent girl, no one to stick up for you when abused etc. i will keep in touch with all you wonderful people & continue to view this blog. your friend theresa
56
Was at “St. Mary’s section about 1951 – 56 under the care of Mother Rita have very happy memories – playing in poultry farm, helping to gather eggs, being allowed to help in the dairy playing and school. Oh – there was also my “charge” Theresa i think who was one of the older girls who helped take care of us little ones.
Been back once about 10 yrs ago – brought back many happy memories. The girls who were so unhappy and mistreated must have been in St. Josephs section. Love to all Ursula
57
St marys ?? I cant really identify which section you mean Wile I was there iIremember was St Joeys .
(where the orphans were ),St Euphrasias (the school )
and Sacred heart Class where I was ,and several others who post here were also .Maybe you mean St Aidans in
Bendigo or Rosary place in Oakleigh I assure yousome of the day girls at the School and were treated so shamefully ,especially if they were from the Sacred Heart class ,or came from St Joeys and were too young to have completed schooling . Well lets face it they were unable go home and tell thier parents were they?Has anyone here been in the unenviable position of complaining to one NUN about another!If anyone tried they were called a liar at the least,and even at times punished .so it just wasnt done ,and they could behave in any manner they desired ,(THE NUNS)
Im referring to !I saw so many injustices whilst there, and I cant say move on Maureen ,because Im still filled with anger! One consolation I hold dear is this ,the very GOD they professed to serve saw it all !And saw also the heartache and tears of the girls
who were subjected to it.Physician heal thy self!!
58
Hi I found this through my hotmail on friends reunited which led me to this site. I was trying to make contact with Theresa. I attended St Euphrasia’s 1964-68. Mother Thomas was my first teacher there and she scared the shites out of me so much that I was too scared not to achieve, which thankfully I did. Mother Austen was another story. I had heard about the girl down the stairs. We had a girl in our class who came close, her name was Helen Theiss, and they came to blows on the back landing. All the girls that Theresa mentioned where in my class and they were lovely girls. I didn’t know the extent on there time in the covent only that it wasn’t easy. I am truly sorry for what you all went through. I would like to make contact with Theres Attard nee Mamo. Email on maureencrawley@hotmail.com
59
Hi Maureen ,so glad you found us ,its a;ways great to speak with others who were there, and hear the experiences they either had ,or were witness to!
Please dont misunderstand me ,Im sure some of the nuns were lovely ,one I knew for instance was M Perpetua ,
and at times her beautiful and caring smile kept me going !Do come back ,you are very welcome ,and lets hope you find your friend ,From one maureen to another
Take care !
60
Angela ,Im strayaway on your ste. I was in the ironing room ,but before your time ,the nun in charge of that section was a real trimmer ,I believe she eventually became the head nun of Rosary place . Best wishes and cheers Maureen . PS I hope she developed carbuncles !,old beast!
61
hi maureen, i sent you an email yesterday. it’s great that we can now correspond thanks to this blog. i remember helen. theiss. and the time she got into trouble with mother austen, infact she was always in some kind of trouble with her, but helen just laughed it off. i think we all got the shits when mother thomas and mother austen were on the prowl. and god help us if we didn’t play well on the basketball court. for you and anyone else who would like to contact me, my email add. is martes@onvol.net
62
Thanks Angela, I have read the comments above with much interest. I was wondering if any there is any knowledge or if research has been done from earlier times late 1920s to late 1930s. Also does anyone have information on St Joseph’s Babies Home Broadmeadows. Do they have a site for comment as well? Thanks once again – Gaile
63
hi maureen the nun you are talking about from the ironing room that went on to be the head nun of rosary place was it mother louis or mother our lady that you are talking about they were there when i was there and mother louis was in in the ironing room cheers angela
64
Orphan fears she was used as a drug guinea pig. The Broadmeadows …
The Broadmeadows Babies’ Home, one of the orphanages used by scientists for …
at the home, which was also known as the St Joseph’s Foundling Hospital. …
mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/shortboys/web/Difederico.html – 7k – Similar pages
65
Hello Angela ,No, I had a brain strain last evening and remembered her name it was Aloysuis ,pronounced (Al U
WISH US) I DONT THINK I MET louis ,But I do remember OUR lADY.Tall and regal looking,.What became of her ? did she fall head over heels with one of her sisters
perhaps ?Well Im only being fair…… they surely suspected us capable of such
behaviour !!
66
hi maureen i was talking to someone the other day they said mother our lady was still alive but quite sick apparently she must be in her 80s easily angela
67
Ursula ,I owe you an apology ,Ive come to know that there actually was a small section within the Convent (Abbotsford )called ST Marys ! Until just recently (within a day or so ago )I had never heard of it .I am so sorry if my reply sounded offensive ,I didnt intend to doubt you with my reply .Please come back and visit us ,wont you?
68
Hi sisters, I know I’ve been away for a while, but have kept up with the conversation. Angela, I will attend the reunion and have arranged the Friday off to travel over. I remember St Marys – it was the farm down on the river side. That’s where they built the swimming pool (that we got to use on an infrequent basis). For the few of us who were schooled, we understood that if we were very good and could get into university we would “graduate” to St Marys where life was supposed to be very good. Mother Our Lady tall and regal – yes, that’s how I remember her too. Mother Louis didn’t have the same presence and was But she was as tough as old nails. But at the same time, given that no expressions of affection ever came our way from the nuns, I didn’t mind her too much. I remember being on the shirt press one day and did the usual thing with a buttoned up shirt – pulled the two fronts sharply apart so all the buttons flew off. I didn’t know Louis was watching until she said “So that’s how it’s done!” Bugger! And the occasional swim in my last year or so – my strongest memory was having to wear a rubber bathing cap, and they must have gotten our swimsuits from a museum!
69
Hello from the Abbotsford blogger. Glad my otherwise languishing blog is being kept alive by you people. When is this reunion? Should I come along? It would be good if someone could get together an article about life at the Convent, or a series of articles by groups of people who remember the same bit at the same time. Then instead of the fragmentation of the comments, I could publish it on the blog. What we have now is very much a conversation between yourselves. I am happy to host it! And I will be even happier if the other readers could benefit from your collective recollections. How about it?
70
Hello Abbotsford Blogger. I’m sure everyone would like to thank you for hosting us, especially since it allowed some of us to find each other. Perhaps you could tell us a little about yourself. I believe many of us will be attending the reunion to face, and hopefully banish, some of the demons we have been carrying around for many years. It’s probably a little early in the proceedings to do what you are suggesting and document things. As for attending the reunion, it has been said that this is for the St Josephs and Sacred Heart girls, rather than the St Euprhasia’s girls who only attended a normal school. But let’s see what everyone else thinks….and knowing a bit more about yourself might help us decide. Once again, thanks for helping us find each other.
71
Abbotsford blogger, perhaps you would consider using a name, as it’s a little daunting to speak with a title. Any old name will do, but naturally it would be great if it relates to you. You do have an advantage here being nameless as I’m sure you now realise! How did your book get on, the one you were comissioned to write about on the history of The good shepherd Nuns? I suppose it’s avaliable to us somewhere, but from my standpoint I will survive without opening its pages. No reflection on you as a writer! If I sound a little hesitant to fess all, may I say two things: one you are not really in a true position to recognise our memories, and two, do you intend to publish any of our discussions for any reason? Sorry to be so blunt, but my name (You know where) is hometruthsplus. And along with Valerie, I also would like to say thanks for your initial action in starting this blog,its already been quite instrumental in helping individuals establish facts for some organiations, they are currently dealing with, and as for myself I have become far more aware of what emotions actually simmer deep below the surface. Regards, Maureen
72
what happening are we kicked off
73
I didn’t write the history of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd! I have privately emailed the people who responded to my comment. My email to Maureen bounced though. I hadn’t really thought about the anonymity thing. I don’t mind people knowing who I am. I just don’t want this blog turning up when people Google my name. Please be assured I don’t want to intrude on your space. Rather, I am offering a forum in which to tell your story one day, if and whenever you desire it. Don’t feel you’re marginalised to the comments if you don’t want to be. That’s all.
74
Hi Ladies, I have had an email from the Abbotsford Blogger. I believe this is a genuinely caring individual who has good reasons for not wanting their name or occupation listed. Because of us, and this person’s blog that started all of this, Abbotsford Blogger has discovered some facts about the care of children in earlier years. As you will appreciate, AB is probably quite shocked at what our lives were like. AB believes it is a story worth telling, and it probably is. But I also believe that we need to have the reunion, and then decide what we would like to share with the world. Perhaps it’s time we told it like it was, but I do think we need to meet first. On the other hand, perhaps we need to have someone like that join us for a little while (not the whole thing) so that we can see the reaction of someone who wasn’t there. Then again, perhaps AB may not be able to handle what society did to us. I’m looking forward to the reunion. Perhaps then we will be able to hug each other – a thing we were never allowed to do. Not only did our carers not extend a hug or even a pat on the back – but we weren’t allowed to do it for each other! But that’s enough for now, I’ll visit again soon. Valerie
75
No, you guys meet up at the reunion and just know when you do so that there is a forum in which to tell your story (other than this very long string of comments) should you want to do so, and when you’re ready.
76
Valerie, Im so glad you wrote that ,I read ABs message to me and must say I felt like a bit of a heel I have aBS assurance that he wasnt the author of a book about the good Shepherd Nuns ,and I dont
know how I made that mistake! I must say though it wasnt the first error Ive made, and definitely wont be the last !Sleep well dear sisters ,and til next time ..
Bye for now, Maureen.
77
Ladies, with all due respect for your feelings I pass the following on to you with love. Having a mother who was in the convent for five years and having experienced a similar set of circumstances, I request that before you negate the following please think long and hard before you dismiss it out of hand.
We have heard in recent years how stress can harm you. Well, it is really not the stress in and of itself that will hurt you, it is the way you choose to process the stress that could hurt you or make you very sick. The body in essence is a mirror of our inner thoughts, emotions and beliefs. Every single cell in your body has its own intelligence and is able to listen to what you are thinking and feel what you are expressing emotionally.
Another example of suppressed emotions and illness would be that of cancer. This disease is typically found in people who carry deep anger for either themselves or resentment for other people and circumstances that occurred in the past. These people were very hurt by the past event and usually carry hatred for a long period of time until it literally starts eating away at the body and manifests as cancer.
To begin to heal the emotional and mental traumas from one’s past and heal yourself on all levels of your being is to learn how to let go and move on. Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. With love Gaile
78
Greetings Gale and many thanks for your concerned message ! I believe we all have some knowledge of
the consequence of our peronal pain ,however I cant quite explain adequately how its simple to tell and explain the answer ,but not everyone is able to let go so easily !! For myself ,I have been to counsellor after counseller ,MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS etc etc and still as much as I want to let it go and be free,it still sits there ,causing such havoc in our everyday dealings ,and a heartbreaking failure to form healthy relationships.Truthfully does ayone believe we wear our badges with pride ? I see it as a badge deeply imbedded in my skin (my physce)if you will , and to try to put it simoly ,most of us are not even aware of the damage or why we react the way we do ,so how does one solve a problem if they arent even aware they have it?
I do however recognise your genuine attempt to make things better for others ,and your generosity as well
Please come again ,and please know we appreciate your message ,if I may speak on behalf of others. Take care Gale ,and indeed all the souls who post here. Maureen
79
Hi Maureen, thank you for your kind words. I was thinking that all of you are already on that healing journey. The reunion that you speak of will create that forum, and will be a very healing experience. All of you are generating love and support for one another, that’s really all it takes to begin. Your subconscious minds are already absorbing all those positive vibes. Stay well, hugs Gaile
80
hi all the reunion is well underway we have had a great response with around 130 people replying so lets hope all come it should be a great day i cant wait to meet you all lets hope the weather is sunny and no rain if you need any info on the day dont hesitate to email me regarding it cheers angela
81
friendsreunited.co.ukhi again angela and maureen, it’s me again, theresa. how wonderful to have all those people coming to the reunion. if anyone remembers me, theresa mamo, i’d love to be in contact with them, i cannot make it of course, living so far away in malta. there is a great website where i have contacted some of my friends from st.euphrasia’s. thought it might interest you. it’s ...
regards, your friend theresa mamo.
82
Theresa , I will definitely ask about you at the reunion ,Ill even write your name down so I wont forget ! I have a feeling there may be more ST Euphrasias girls there in any case. Wish you could make it , but sadly its not to be this time .I have a friend who attended at the same time you did ,but her past keeps her silent ,however from humble and tragic beginnings
she has become an amazing person ,and even though her life certainly isnt a home in the burbs and a loving hubby ,and all the hoo ha attached ,AND her illness plagues her cruelly, yet I have never met one so brave and full of life experiences .Her inability to attend is our loss !!!And I feel I would have really liked to meet you as well. Take care Theresa and perhaps one day ??,mind you Im a sacred heart girl ,and have lead a pretty busy life in comparison I think , LOVE Maureen .
83
would someone like to make a comment that a person wrote on my goodshepherdgirlsaustralia site i explained to him that these details were incorrect any one wish to make a comment about it
Thank you ‘angel’ for the info re St Josephs Class. I took in all you said, it was very informative, but wondered about the following.
You said the different classes did not mix, but I think I read other documentation that maintained they did mix in certain circumstances. I could find the source if you are keen. In your opinion are there some inaccuracies in this other documentation that maintains that ‘different classes did mix sometimes’? Or what do you think about this contradiction?
Q2: As opposed to the preservist groupings were penitents or those from law enforcement agencies kept apart from preservists under all circumstances?
Q3: As far as Abbotsford goes would you recommend reading ‘Pitch your tents on Distant Shores’ to get a accurate detailed account of interns experiences and nuns activities at Abbotsford
84
Hi Everyone.
Theresa, I’m glad you have found friends through the Friends Reunited site I suggested. It is great to hear from friends whom we have not spoken to in over 40 years and compare our life experiences.
Glad to hear you have had a positive reaction to the reunion Angela. I hope you all have a great day.
85
Gale and Angela,Kind greetiongs to you both ,and hope all goes well . Angela Even though I have read it over and over can you please send us the date and time and meeting place of the reunion ?JUst for us on this site ,That would be wonderful Thanks and fond thoughts to all Maureen
86
Hi Maureen thanks for your reply the convent reunion will be on the 15th of november at 11am at the good shepherd convent it will be a saturday entrance via st helliers street at the bottom gate does this help you i am hoping to put some balloons up also will have someone at the gate entrance so we can mark of omly people invited to reunion if there names not on the list they will not be able to attend the reunion cheers angela
87
Hi Maureen – I was in no way offended. I also remember Wuffy a white dog and Terry a nasty looking reddy brown dog, Mother Agnes who ran the poultry farm,the big willow tree with a swing under it, having the tinny speakers wheezing out music and darning socks on a saturday or sunday afternoon. Am in tears as 50 yr old memories flood back. love to all who were there for any reason.
88
Greetings to all, Hi Ursula ,and Angel.Did you ever
consider that there may be some of us wh need to have a carer with us ?
Also ,as there is no seating available there now ,might I suggest that those who are able, bring thier own chairs ,perhaps even an extra maybe? .I would but I just cant see myself arriving with chairs atop my
scooter ? LOL Thankls Ursula for your welcome reply,my conscience is feeling a little relieved,TA!
89
dont strees maureen there should be plenty of seating i will be emailing the convent with the details regarding carers so they will have plenty of seats but the sugestion of maybe a few fold up chairs wouldnt go astray thanks for you suggestion cheers angela
90
Hello,
My grandmother (June Malloy)was at the convent for some time and when I saw that there was to be a reunion she said she would love to go who do I have to speak to to get the details?
thank you Renee Hallam
91
hi renee the reunion is at the good shepherd convent if your grandmother is interested could you ring or email me on 0393647676 angela9492@hotmail.com before the 30th of september 2008 cheers angela
92
Hi Renee, I was wondering what years your grandmother resided at the convent. I am seeking anyone who was there from 1930 – 35. Her life during those years is a fairly blank canvass, it’s only when someone passes you realise that there are so many questions you should have asked. She was the bravest woman I have ever known, her love knew no boundaries for her three children. I love and miss her every day. Warm regards Gaile.
93
Renee ,Gaile and all, Renee,I was there in the late fifties
?What section was your grandmother in has she told you ? and when was she there? Gaile,Do you know what section your grandmother was in?She sounds amazing ,and I believe the love she displayed
lives on in you .Obviously you cared for her very deeply to be wanting to search out her lifes experiences !
I am so glad you are here with us !Love to all,Maureen
94
Hi Maureen, my mother was orphaned and during the winter of 1930 she was placed in St Joseph’s junior class. She was twelve years old. I am still researching her life and am trying to contact anyone who may still be with us that knew her.
She was an exceptional seamstress. I remember her drafting patterns and creating colour and concepts for entire weddings. She was a brilliant cook and spoke and wrote with excellent diction. I wonder how, in the environment described in the opening comments of our ‘discussion forum’ did she learn these skills. She rarely spoke of her stay at the convent, however I do recall her saying that-
‘The sisters made us wear stays; these were laced tightly in order to flatten our bosoms. We were made to do penance if a bouncing bosom was sighted whilst descending the stairs.’
My mother although slim in stature she was well developed and I dare say she did her stint of penance. She mentioned kneeling on concrete in a courtyard, and lots of ‘Hail Mary’s’ for good measure. Unfortunately she developed Alzheimer’s, and although living until 2003 she was lost to us, communication wise for fifteen years before hand. Kind regards to all – Gaile
95
Hi Gaile,
Did your mother have a seamstress business specialising in bridal attire located in Johnston St. Abbotsford per chance? Regards Luisa
96
Hi Gaile,There I go ,tripping over my feet again ,so sorry I referred to your Mum as your Grandmother,I get a bit carried away sometimes ,But what I said holds true ,you are a true compliment to your mother! She was in St Joeys you said ,and although different to Sacred Heart Class , back then those poor kids were so repressed ! However your Mum maintained her spirit and showed it in her love for her children .I feel a sense of regret when I realise I never met her and now sadly never will . Caring and warm wishes , Maureen.
97
Angela ,I just read the article you posted on the thirteenth of August ,and whoever wrote it is a total jerk,who knows jack!! or else a person trying to find out things. I am far from impressed ! I would sign the petition but
I need to ask my daughter OR grandaughter to show me how to do it ,I am not ignoring you ,so just wait around and I will eventiually tend to it .Thanks for asking. Angela ,about toward healing ,I felt so mad
about the process the Church has put in place ,it doesnt seem very fair somehow,but still ,whats NEW ?
Be in touch soon. Maureen.
98
Hi Ladies,
Maureen & Angela – where will I find that article? I’d like to have a look.
I have kept my memories of Abbotsford Convent behind a fireproof door in my mind for so long I didn’t think I remembered much of it. But bit by bit it is leaking out now. I have been reading the Mullighan report, and also have just read David Hill’s book about Fairbridge Farm School Molong (where my stepmother grew up), and everything brings back memories. The stolen generation and the child migrants came out of the closet long before we did, and I believe that is because we were taught to be ashamed of ourselves and of the fact that we were in an institution. I have never talked about my experience to any of my loved ones. I know that we weren’t really bad girls – we were mostly in Sacred Heart because of our family situations, not because we committed crimes. Mostly we were “guilty” of being “uncontrollable” or “exposed to moral danger”. We shouldn’t be ashamed, or feel worthless – but we do, because we were taught to. Hopefully that will change, and we will be proud to call ourselves survivors.
I am looking forward to meeting everyone who will be attending the reunion.
99
Hi Maureen and Luisa, No probs Maureen and thank you for your warm thoughts and wishes for my mother. Luisa, we have unaccounted time between Mom leaving the convent in 1935 and her meeting my father in country Victoria in 1939. I feel she may have been too young to be the seamstress you speak of in Johnston Street Abbotsford. She was discharged from the convent in the October 1935 to the employ of a Mrs Hamilton. My mother stayed in the country for the remainder of her life, only rarely venturing to Melbourne. Warm wishes to all Gaile.
100
Valerie , Angela actually posted the questions on this forum 13th Sept,in the form of series of questions asked
by someone else in relation to the way it was during that time . The questions actually suggested that the different sections were allowed to mix on some ocassions ,YEAH RIGHT!,or so he hasd read!I suspect the original
questions were suggested by some one somewhat closer to the convent. Pitch your tent on distant shores ?This is a history of the good Shepherd nuns in Australia and has no real relation to our experiences !AS if,,,they would publish a story that paints them as less than Gods beloved servants? This book will not do anything other than compound our sense of pain and outrage.Have a good evening all ,and Valerie ,perhaps Angela will be prepared to offer you the questions in thier original form . Bye for now , Maureen .Ps /Where do I find the Mullighan report and the book about
Fairbridge Farm if you dont mind letting me know TAR.
101
aph.gov.auHi Maureen,
The Mullighan Report can be found at ... You can also read or download the submissions the committee received. I am currently working my way through the ones from Victorians.
David Hill’s “The Forgotten Children: Fairbridge Farm School and It’s Betrayal of Australia’s Child Migrants” I borrowed from my local library. If you are a member of a library ask if they have it, or can get it. I have no idea what it costs, but any bookstore would see about ordering it in for you. It was published in 2007.
And about the different classes mixing sometimes – there’s more chance of pigs flying or a snowball surviving in hell than we BAD GIRLS being allowed to corrupt anyone else! I have taken in the last week to using the google satellite map to look at the site from the air. It looks so tiny now, and it was my gaol for 2 years and 5 months (I was lucky enough to get out early by accident)and seemed to be large then. About 7 weeks now till the reunion. It’s a bit scary, but it can’t come soon enough now – the demons need facing.
Love to all of you
Valerie
102
aph.Okay, looks like I can’t put a link in. I’ll email you a link, Maureen, but if anyone else wants a look at the Mullighan Report try the address below – but take out the spaces (hopefully this will work)
http: //www.aph. gov.au/Senate/ committee/clac_ctte/ completed_inquiries/ 2004-07/inst_care/index.htm
103
Greetings Valerie, The convent site seems so small from the Google map , and the fitting reality is that the Sacred Heart Class is actually very small.As a child it seemed
very large to me ,but I think in retrospect it was more the atmosphere that kept us feeling so tiny !Just a personal thought and I would be most interested to hear how others considered it back then .Warm thoughts to all our sisters , Maureen.
104
hi floss its angela if you get stuck for a lift to the reunion hust give me a call on 0393647676 i live near you and will be able to give you a lift cheers angela
105
maureen on my site goodshepherdgirlsaustralia this man named paul was the one that wrote this write up regarding about the girls mixing together in the convent i was trying to explain to him that this never happened he was telling me his mother was in there from the 1920s till the 1930s and he was trying to find information on her life in there this is what he wrote on my site this question Thank you ‘angel’ for the info re St Josephs Class. I took in all you said, it was very informative, but wondered about the following.
You said the different classes did not mix, but I think I read other documentation that maintained they did mix in certain circumstances. I could find the source if you are keen. In your opinion are there some inaccuracies in this other documentation that maintains that ‘different classes did mix sometimes’? Or what do you think about this contradiction?
Q2: As opposed to the preservist groupings were penitents or those from law enforcement agencies kept apart from preservists under all circumstances?
Q3: As far as Abbotsford goes would you recommend reading ‘Pitch your tents on Distant Shores’ to get a accurate detailed account of interns experiences and nuns activities at Abbotsford?
106
Greetings all, Time is marching on isnt it? has everyone gone off to arrange thier summer wardrobe ,,
swimmers and all? Or are we all feeling a tad uneasy
about the reunion ?No-one seems to have tuned in for a while ,and I believe we all need the reassurances this
blog brings .I have just read an article about the effects of neglect and abuse has on children .Fascinating ! I think of what we were subjected to as exploitation as well,and wonder how it could have been allowed to continue as long as it did .
107
Hi Maureen,
Yes, I have been missing in action, but not cold feet – a long story that you don’t need to know about. The more I read about kids in institutions, the more horrified I am. But we who were in one of them are probably the only ones who can truly understand.
I make it five weeks till we meet up.
Valerie
108
Hi Valerie ,WHAT!only five weeks until the reunion ?
Now thats scary !Ill try to emulate you though and onward into the breach .Take care until i hear from you again …or vice vera.
109
This isn’t a comment but more a question. I have been searching for information about a place called Meena House. It was run by the Good Shepherd Nuns and women who had unwanted pregnancies went there to give birth. I was led to believe that I was born there but have since discovered that it was not me but possibly a sibling that was born a couple of years after me. I am guessing that the year of the female child born at Meena House would have been around 1957. Does anyone have any information with regard to children born Meena House. I have discovered that it was located in Richmond. That is all I have. I am greatful for any info that is forthcoming. Thanks Sharne.
110
unimelb.edu.auhttp://www.unimelb.edu.au/infoserv/lee/htm/family_support.htm sharne i havent heard of the unmarried place at richmond but there was an unmarried place at carlton opposite the royal womens hospital is this the place you mean
111
I only have the name Meena House and was adivsed by elderly parishiners that it was Richomond. Some who gave birth there took their babies home others were adopted. My Birth Cert says Royal Womens Hospital so there may be a connection. I will continue to investigate. Thanks for the speedy reply.
112
Hey Sharne , I cant help except to say Ive been around a while and I cant remember any place in Richmond called Meena House . There WAS a refuge thingy in Richmond ,it was called Mary Anderson Lodge And it was situated in Burnley St ,not far from the birth place of Nellie Melba.. however it cant be the one you seek as it was run by the Salvos .Also the unmarried place in Carlton ,across from the Womens, wasnt a Good Shepherd run home ,it was in the charge of the Josephite Nuns .Perhaps the Richmond archives might have some reference if you could gain access .I wish you well ,and wish I could offer more , All the very bestin your search ,Kindest thoughts ,Maureen . Have you thouight of placing an ad in the richmond paper at all ?Someone may remember.
113
Hi Sharne
This may be of use to you, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus purchased a Mena House from Elizabeth Glover (nurse) in 1930. At that time it specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology under the supervision of the pre-eminent specialist in the field, Dr. J.W. Dunbar Hooper. It is known today as Cliveden Hill Private Hospital and is situated at 29 Simpson Street East Melbourne, this is two blocks from Victoria Street Richmond. This order I believe may be aligned with the sisters of St Joseph at St Vincent’s and Cabrini hospitals.
Of interest is that Catholic Bishop Christopher Prowse was born there in 1953 and in 1961 union official Irene Bolger was a nursing assistant at the hospital. If you were able to contact either of these people (use the net for info) you may be able to ascertain if this is the hospital. I am researching my mother’s life and did a little research for you and hope that others may reciprocate. Kind regards Gaile, and hello to all who are attending the reunion, I wish you all a day of love, joy and sharing.
114
Thanks for that info Gaile. In the past 2 weeks I have gained a lot of information that I now need to check into. Weird little things that start to be recalled from early years and sit in the back of my mind bugging me(maybe due to reaching what others call ‘old age’). If I find what it is I think I may find I will let you guys know. Thanks for your help. Sharne.
115
i have been reading different articles on this site and i am begining to realize that alot of what is supposed to be our recollections and stories people are taking advantage of by writing books about our experiences without our permission i cant believe that people could dare to do this
116
You hit it on the head Angela,you are saying what ive suspected for quite a while .I know of someone who is involved in a Doco currently and I want to tell them the truth from a personal view point .How the info I supply is interpreted and respected is quite another thing however .I do believe that the actual victims are 100% entitled to tell thier personal story in thier own way ,but certainly not by others who are jumping on the band wagon and robbing us of our dignity OR attempting to . About the reunion will we have access to the building EG the workrooms ,the dispensary ,the dorms etc .otherwise it will seem
a bit empty ,dont you agree?
117
If it’s the case that our discussion is being used by people without our permission, perhaps we need to organise something a bit more private (if that’s at all possible).
But it’s also food for thought. Perhaps one of us needs to write our story. I should probably put my hat into the ring, but am happy for someone else to do it. Perhaps we can put it on the agenda for the reunion.
I’m with Maureen – I’m hoping that we do get to see as much of Sacred Heart as possible. And that’s after almost 40 years of hoping I never saw it again.
118
Hi Ladies, I look forward to your discussions, as it gives me an insight into the type of life my mother may have had albeit 30 years later, I sincerely hope that someone doesn’t misuse the site. Perhaps you should pose the question to the creator of the site and enquire about copyright laws and if it was considered when the site was created.
When I wrote to the ‘Archivist’ for the convent they indicated that the St Joseph’s building that was located on the corner of St Heliers and Clarke Streets, was demolished in the late 1970s after the closure of the Convent to make way for the Good Shepherd Nursing Home. I hope that it wasn’t one of the buildings you hoped to see.
They also stated that ‘St Euphrasia’s was the convent school which served both girls in care as well as day students from the local area’. How does that information fit with your joint knowledge?
Also Renee, were you able to ascertain if your Grandmother was at the convent during the mid to late 30’s. Warm regards to all Gaile
119
Commenters, the law would regard your comments as ‘literary works’ and the authors (not me) would own the copyright in your comments, I think. Copyright just descends on original work, and there is no need to have it registered, or assert it, unlike a patent or a trade mark. Having said that, the internet is not a world which pays a lot of regard to copyright, and it is the case that even copyrighted material may be used in accordance with the law. If someone wants to comment on your comments, they can reproduce a reasonable portion to do so, for example. This whole post started when I took comments from an Ebay forum, cut them up, pieced them together, edited them, and reproduced them on this blog. From memory, I did not seek permission first, which was probably a bit naughty, but I did promptly write to the commenter and tell her I’d done what I’d done and said I would take down the post if she objected. It’s nice to have you here on my blog, but I’m sure you can find a password protected internet space to have private conversations with one another if that’s what you, or some of you, would prefer.
120
Hi to the ‘AbbotsfordBlogger’
I personally would like to thank you for your expedient reply. I cannot answer for the other ladies, however I believe that it gives somewhat an answer for the other commenters. I have no issue with the site as my comments and interactions are only with regard to my mother. I hope that if the ladies do decide to go to a personal site that you will keep me informed. I enjoy the communication that this blog gives me, and I feel that it allows others to have a glimpse of what may have been, if circumstances had not been as kind to us, as it was to some of you. In other words if you still believe ‘ there by the grace of God goes I…’ Again, warmest regards Gaile.
121
Hi Gaile,
Between August 1966 and December 1968 the girls in care had no communication whatsoever with the girls from St Euphrasia’s.
A handful of girls in care received a little schooling during that time. I was one of them. We spent our schooldays in a classroom in the “Industrial School”. To my knowledge, that was the only room in use in the Industrial School. Before and after school-hours, and on Saturday mornings, we worked in the laundry.
The girls in care saw the inside of Sacred Heart, and on Sundays attended the church itself for Mass. We had Mass every other day in the chapel within Sacred Heart. But even in the Church we were segregated in a separate wing – there were three – the public, the nuns, and us.
It was no different to being in gaol doing hard labour. In fact, we would probably have been better treated if he had been in gaol.
122
Greetings all. Angela ,I believe that authenticity is recognisable ,and people may steal things from this blog .but only we know the circumstances and the incidents first hand. I personally began my story of the years in Abbotsford approx six months or so ago,but have been rather caught up with other things of late ,but hope to get back to it shortly .Thanks to Gaile ,and the Abbotsford Bloggeras well.,Hugs to all my sisters .
123
Angel ,for some inexplicable reason I dont seem to be able to join that site , however would love to be part of a class action against the authorities who placed me in the Bendigo Convent under the guise of being in need of PROPER care and protection !Its almost laughable isnt it ?,those nuns were some of the least capable of giving any kind of care.I wouldnt surrender the care of a pet rat to them quite honestly!What did we get in the care of the nuns ?EXPLOITATION thats what
IM REALY SPITTING CHIPS AT THE MOMENT!
124
Hello everyone,
although i was not alive during the era you speak of my mother was a resident of abbotsford convent, she would have been there during the 60s i would say, her name was Maria (mary) VanRysewyk and i hope to be able to bring her to the reunion. she didnt see the nuns as so hard, some of them maybe but then her mother was hard so was used to it. we still have contact with one nun who is now in ashfield NSW Mother Martina, i took my mother to see her just recently, she is a very gentle old lady and has help my mother so many times over the years. my mother would love to see some of the old girls, she often talks of her youth and the Mangle room and rosary place. i have jioned your group on facebook and will hopefully talk to you some more there, would love to find some people who know my mum, i would love her to come to the reunion, i think it would be very healing for her. shes a little anxious about it. i you know her please let me know, i also have some and can get more photos of abbotsofrd and the nuns from mother martina. regards karen
125
Welcome Karen,I was there in the late sixties, i dont know if i knew your mother though ,her name isnt
ringing any bells at the moment . Still it will be great to speak with her and see how her memories
compare to mine Please tell her that we all have some adverse feelings and her anxiety is totally normal. I do hope she makes it Cheers and warm wishes to your MUM also
Maureen
126
Gaile, my grandmother was in the boarding house section first then 2 years later( probably 14 yo ) she went into the work rooms.She was at the convent from 1938 ish to 1943 ish.She said that every one was given a saints name and they were only to use those names and if caught using their real names they were of course punished harshly,she said they still would share their real names but it was hear to remember any one’s real name as they wernt allowed to use them.
Hope you come to the reunion and you can chat to her.
127
Hi Renee – Unfortunately I am unable to attend the reunion, and comparing our dates I realise that my Mother and your Grandmother did not cross paths. However, perhaps Angela would be kind enough to accept and pass on our details (through her email address that she published earlier, on this forum) and we could arrange some correspondence. I would appreciate any insight from your Grandmother’s perspective into how life was at the convent around that time. Also Karen are we able to have the contact details of Mother Martina in NSW? You also mentioned a group on Facebook, I have been unable to ascertain the name of the group, is anyone able to assist? How fruitful is this discussion page!! I realise how difficult it is for many of you, and can only thank you sincerely for sharing many of your memories with us, your courage is indeed very humbling. As always, warmest regards to you all Gaile
128
The practice of giving the girls a Saints name in there was pretty well finished when I was in Abbotsford,but they still practiced it in Bendigo Convent during my time there ,but no-one really bothered much ,not even the Nuns.Gaile ,if you go to the winlaton site there you might find our one .fRANKLY
Ive been flat tack recently and cant remember the name.
129
Karen ,ANOTHER ERROR on my part ,I wasnt there in the sixties,i was there in the late fifties, So there is no way i could j have known your mum ,however i do look forward to meeting her Cheers Maureen
130
Hello all, have have been recalculating the dates my mother was a resident at abbotsford, she would have been there from about 1959 at age about 15 until about 1964. for the person that asked, sister Martina is now at Ashfield convent, in the nursing home attached, i went to see her along with my mother back in May this year and i must say for a 85 year old lady she is certainly doing very well, took us out for dinner and came back to our motel to reminise for hours about the old days at abbotsford. me at 37 think its all a bit mundane but believe its great for my mothers healing over her childhood and youth, so i sit and listen to it all. i will email sister martina and be sure its ok to pass on you email address. which i am sure it is but will ask anyway, the group on facebook is called good shephard convent abbotsford melbourne. jsut type that into the groups search and it wil come up. i am hopeful of finding a few people my mum knew.
131
There is another site called forgotten australians ,
but i dont think it would be of much assistance ,however its worth a try, isnt it ? If I work out how i will invite you to become a member if you are interested Gaile.Cheers , Maureen.
132
Victoria Melbourne-Convent of the Good Shepherd Laundry & Collingwood Children’s Farm [1863-2003: St Helliers St, Abbotsford. Inmates segregated into penitents & preservites: orphans waiting for the arrival of a custody relative], Ashfield–Glentworth Home [1913-1978: Good Shepherd Laundry on Victoria St. Infirmary wing, sewing room. Police Courts sent girls there], Bendigo-Convent of the Good Shepherd Laundry [St Aidans Rd], Melbourne ’s Victoria Market [child mass grave found this on the net look at the end part
133
Angela,Could you send addy for this info please .
I guess we all knew that the Vic Market was built on
a cemetery site,bUT childrens graves? Doesnt sound right does it ?Cheers
134
Wirntupinya-nyja-rru [They Killed]
Juma-ngku [Child] Mass Graves
Sisters of the Good Shepherd Magdalene Asylums
Volksfront
1568: Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana
1606: Luis Valle de Torrez & Willem Janz
1642: Abel Janszoon Tasman
1788: English Penal Colonies
2006: Now a British Commonwealth Country
Wal Campbell claimed the Good Shepherd Sisters were involved in a major racket. His paper hinted at babies born in convents & girls in the laundries being killed off or dying from exhaustion & being buried in strange places – Alan Gill
Broken Rites Australia, non-profit organization of survivors of church-related sexual abuse who advocate for those who need help, is familiar with adult callers abused as children & women abused in a vulnerable situation, a single, or seperated, or unhappily married woman who consulted a church pastor & was then sexually abused in the course of counselling. They’ve also seen sick & medicated women abused by hospital chaplains. Within the Catholic Church, victims keep silent. Parents do not go to the police. Reporting is only to a church official, which is great for the church because they can then move the offender to a new area with new targets or an overseas study trip. Arrival or leaving details are of course not discussed with parishoners. The Black Collar Crime Cases consist of a survivor who consulted with police & found police had aggregate data of their abuser already.
New South Wales Sydney: May 1787-January 18, 1788: Captain Arthur Phillip sailed from England with 570 male & 160 female convicts, 200 soldiers, 30 wives, & a few children in 11 ships to Botany Bay. The first white settlement in Australia & the beginning of the city of Sydney. Sydney Town Hall: Mass Grave
Queensland Queensland-Sisters of Mercy Holy Cross Retreat & Girls Home-Industrial School for Girls [1904-1973: Co-located with the Magdalene Asylum for Unmarried Mothers at Woolowin, Queensland. Based on the Magdalene Asylums of Ireland. Mothers worked without pay in the laundries. Their children adopted out. Sent by the Children’s Court of Brisbane. Karalla the maximum security home with rotten food.], Brisbane-Mitchelton [Slave Laundry: Hotel sheets & tablecloths], Rockhampton-Mercy Sisters Orphanage [Neerkol]
South Australia Adelaide-Plympton The Pines [Five meter high fence. Some sent by the courts, others transferred from the Goodwood Children’s Home run by the Sisters of Mercy]
Tasmania: Abel Janszoon Tasman Hobart [Each of Australia's state capitals is not only the political center but also the chief commercial, industrial, & cultural center of its state. Each is the oldest or one of the oldest settlements in the state. Each was laid out near the mouth of a river & as close as possible to a good ocean harbor]
Victoria Melbourne-Convent of the Good Shepherd Laundry & Collingwood Children’s Farm [1863-2003: St Helliers St, Abbotsford. Inmates segregated into penitents & preservites: orphans waiting for the arrival of a custody relative], Ashfield–Glentworth Home [1913-1978: Good Shepherd Laundry on Victoria St. Infirmary wing, sewing room. Police Courts sent girls there], Bendigo-Convent of the Good Shepherd Laundry [St Aidans Rd], Melbourne ’s Victoria Market [child mass grave]
Western Australia [New Holland] Perth-Good Shepherd Laundry [Leederville]
Northern Territory Darwin-Palmerston
Ashmore & Cartier Islands Uninhabited
Christmas Island Wackenhut Corrections: 2002: Immigrant Detention center. Jails asylum seekers
Cocos Islands: Coconut Islands 27 islands 1720 miles NE of Perth: 1609: British East India Company: Captain William Keeling, West Island, South Island, Direction Island, Horsburgh Island
Coral Sea Islands
Heard & McDonald Islands, 2700 miles SW
Pitcairn Island: Major Pitcairn 1767: Philip Carteret’s HMS Swallow. 1789: Mutiny on the Bounty: Captain William Bligh. Survivors settled on Pitcairn Island,
Norfolk Island 1825-1856: New South Wales Penal Colony. 194 Bounty descendants moved from Pitcairn to Norfolk Island
Sutton Forest, Central Railway Station, Fantome Island Aboriginal Leprosarium [Prison near Ingham for Aborigines, Maori & Pacific Islanders. A 7 year old child was jailed for 10 years], Peel Island [white prison]
Bowral-Hopewood Childrens’ Home, Christian Brothers’ Bindoon Orphanage [Possibly the most appalling children’s home ever to exist in Australia – Alan Gill, Orphans of the Empire
135
Thanks for that info angela,but i meant the actual site
where you foub nd this info. You know the old saying Dont believe what you read ,and only half of what you hear ! Id just k like to do some investigating of my own Not to say i dont believe you ,you would have no reason to lie ,but I like to tread slowly and be able to back up information ,if you know what I mean ,As for Wal Campbell,I reserve my opinion about his claims ! You are quite the investigator arent you ?keep up the work and info ,some of it HAS to be fact !
Thanks for your time and effort again , I cant wait to actually meet you ,are you getting excited yet?
136
tartanplace.comhttp://www.tartanplace.com/tartanhistory/concentrationcamps.html this is the site maureen
137
Has everyone gone,?I have moved on ,and find much comfort in the Forgotten Australians Site. If you are looking for comfort , and caring and much much more ,you might also find this site comforting and informative as well .Best wishes to all those who posted here,and a huge thanks to the Abbotsford Blogger ,without him I may never have had the awakenings I am experiencing now . Bless you all and thanks for sharing part of your life with us .
138
Hi all well the reunion is over i look forward till the next one in 2 years time it was a great sucsess with over 200 people attending cheers angela
139
great to hear the reunion was a success. did anyone remember me (Theresa Mamo). I know it was a long time ago that I attended St.Euphrasia’s, but it seems like yesterday to me. I might make it to the reunion in 2 years time. It’s a long way to come from Malta, but I’ll try.
140
Hi Everyone,
Glad to hear all went well and the reunion was well attended. Theresa, I’ll email you soon and fill you in on my holiday. I’m still trying to catch up with 5 weeks work. Would be great to see you down under, but having just travelled to Europe I know exactly what you mean by “a long way from Malta”. I was that badly jet lagged this time it took me 10 days just to get back into a normal sleeping cycle. Regards to all Luisa
141
Hi Luisa,Looking forward to your email. I know it has been a hectic time for you travelling from one place to another, but the break from your routine will do you good. We are going on a Baltic cruise next summer. Looking forward to it. So till next time, Theresa.
142
Hi everyone the reunion went well with over 200 people attending so it was a great day. Hopefully we will continue to do the reunion as either an annual thing or every 2 years it will be good to catch up with everyone cheers angela
143
hello, my mum was an orphan from italy in 1952 she stayed at the convent for two years, from a convent in
italy to a convent in australia as her brother never came to get her, she said she arrived 15 years old in australia with bruises on her chest from italian nuns, only to face more nuns waiting for her in port melbourne she said she cried so hard, her brother wasn’t there for her as she hoped, her parents were killed in the war, anyway I remember as a child visiting Mother Germaine at the convent, does anyone remember her, was she a good nun? My mum said she tried to escape in the laundry truck.
Feel sorry for all the orphans in institutions.
Kind regards Aurora
144
hi there aurora i remember mother germaine she was a lovely nun very kind you say your mum used to try and esca[pe in the laundry trucks i remember that that used to happen and yet i was there alot latter than your mother i was there in 1968 and it was going on then i suppose your mum could tel;l you some stories about the convent cheers angela
145
surely there must be someone out there who remembers Mother Rita from St. Mary’s Class (the farm section)
and ancient Mother Agnes who ran the poultry farm and Maree who married Leo Goey and Ettie Pikoski
146
hi i am looking for info regarding the mithchelton sisters of good shepherd later changed to mt maria youth centre then to mt maria re education centre for girls. many ppl have been trying to get someinfo on it but it all seems to have vanashed.
it is know a a high school now (mout maria secondary college)
i would love to know and talk to anyone who may know anything. a girl named theresa ided in the attic becaue th nuns lft her there.))
please help me
147
Does anyone know of a young girl came to the home to have her baby she was a slim girl came from the south coast by the name of Gloria she did not work at the home she was working in town the year 1979
148
Hello All
I am looking for any information or photographs of my great Aunt Sister Mary Martina (Bridget Eileen Mahony) who was at the Convent of Good Shepard around 1925-30.
little.glory@bigpond.com
Thank you
Karen Mahony
149
I must have been one of the lucky ones who treasure the time I spent with the Good Shepherd nuns at Abbotsford and Albert Park. My grandfather drove the big green laundry trucks for the convent at Abbotsford when I was pre school I was often minded by them while Pa worked and Mum worked in the shoe dactories in Collingwood. My mum and Dad and all their brothers and sisters and my cousins were given a wonderful education by the nuns in the day school St Euphrasias. When I was 14 I was in a house of alcohol and domestic violence by my war damaged stepfather and instead of time in Winlaton, the Catholic Welfare service arranged for me to live for a year in the convent at Albert Park but I went out to school each day about four blocks away to the Brigidine Convent Kilbride where I topped the class in year four and the experiment that was me was so successful that two girls were given the same opportunity as I had. I went home to the dyssocial family in West Heidelberg and travelled every day all the way to Albert Park and topped the Leaving class too.I am now in my sixties , trained as a General and Psychiatric Nurse, travelled the world ,working in several countries as a nurse, nanny, milked goats and made cheese in France, sold clothes around the french riviera, lived in squats doing leather work to sell,on markets in London, Flew with the older brother of the King of Saudi Arabia to be his private family nurse, taught English in Mexico and retired ten years ago whilst working as a nurse at Pentridge I think I would not have been able to do all the things I have done, including being a published poet had it not been for the love and nurturing I received from the Good Shepherd Nuns I am most grateful to them always Maureen Compton
150
As a student at St.Euphrasia's from 1949 to 1955, I remember the first year Sister Austin came to teach in grades seven and eight. She told me many years later, when being given the rundown on the pupils who would be in her class, that this girl, me, Maureen Compton, was another in a long line of Comptons, but this one has a brain, please nurture it, and she did. Yes she was strict , but helped me to get a diocesan scholarship so I wouldn't end up in the shoe factories like most of my family before me. We were kept separate from the girls at St. Josephs, the orphanage school, whose yard we had to pass on our way to and from school and we were told to keep our eyes down and not to mix with them. I only knew about the girls at Sacred Heart because of my grandfather being their driver , and learned many years later when I was sort of a boarder at Rosary Place in Albert Park that the women and girls who worked in the laundry were either those placed there by the courts, women who sought refuge there either because they were widowed or mistreated by their husbands or families, and adult Downs Syndrome sufferers who needed to be in an institution for some reason.Although I was called school Maureen others had their names changed while they did their time I still had chores to perform at weekends. I had to get down on my knees and scrub a quarter of the refectory floor, with scrubbing brush and rags. My father was supposed to pay board and I went home for first term holidays, but as he hadnt paid the second term i was dragged kicking and screaming in protest, I don't work. I am school maureen,down the stairs, to an ironing table. I learned to iron the priests shirts and pyjamas after theyd been through the hot press, touch ups and folding them neatly. I am a very good ironer to this day That was in 1958I learned so many things while there. How to draft patterns and make clothes, millinery,drama, seeing my first play, The Mikado, put on by the St. Ignatius Loyola drama group from Richmond.
151
As a student at St.Euphrasia's from 1949 to 1955, I remember the first year Sister Austin came to teach in grades seven and eight. She told me many years later, when being given the rundown on the pupils who would be in her class, that this girl, me, Maureen Compton, was another in a long line of Comptons, but this one has a brain, please nurture it, and she did. Yes she was strict , but helped me to get a diocesan scholarship so I wouldn't end up in the shoe factories like most of my family before me. We were kept separate from the girls at St. Josephs, the orphanage school, whose yard we had to pass on our way to and from school and we were told to keep our eyes down and not to mix with them. I only knew about the girls at Sacred Heart because of my grandfather being their driver , and learned many years later when I was sort of a boarder at Rosary Place in Albert Park that the women and girls who worked in the laundry were either those placed there by the courts, women who sought refuge there either because they were widowed or mistreated by their husbands or families, and adult Downs Syndrome sufferers who needed to be in an institution for some reason.Although I was called school Maureen others had their names changed while they did their time I still had chores to perform at weekends. I had to get down on my knees and scrub a quarter of the refectory floor, with scrubbing brush and rags. My father was supposed to pay board and I went home for first term holidays, but as he hadnt paid the second term i was dragged kicking and screaming in protest, I don't work. I am school maureen,down the stairs, to an ironing table. I learned to iron the priests shirts and pyjamas after theyd been through the hot press, touch ups and folding them neatly. I am a very good ironer to this day That was in 1958I learned so many things while there. How to draft patterns and make clothes, millinery,drama, seeing my first play, The Mikado, put on by the St. Ignatius Loyola drama group from Richmond.
152
Convent of the Good Shepherd .
I'm trying to trace a Theresa Burns who was at the convent in 1922, whether a a novice nun or a laundry worker iI don't know but really want to find out .
Any ideas from anyone . I'd really appreciate any help .
Joan
153
hi my name is michelle and im hoping to help my mum find some of her friends from the years 1962 and 1963. Her name is sandra and she was 15years old in 1962. i can be contacted at mcintosh@ncable.net.au. She use to have to help serve the meals and she spent alot of time in the machine room.
thanks in advance
michelle
154
hi my name is michelle and im hoping to help my mum find some of her friends from the years 1962 and 1963. Her name is sandra and she was 15years old in 1962. i can be contacted at mcintosh@ncable.net.au. She use to have to help serve the meals and she spent alot of time in the machine room.
thanks in advance
michelle
155
was that class the typing class that Sandra was thrown out of?
156
I was in Abbotsford, working in the ironing room 1967-1968. Like most of the girls, now women from there/that place I always feel slightly twisted in a way that is hard to explain to people who were not part of the nightmare. Like something very important was stolen from us. I don't even know what it was that the Nuns took from us but I do know that their taking it left us horribly damaged.
I have read all of the above comments and it makes me feel a lot better to know that I am not the only one who has never gotten over "Abbotsford". I was feeling like I must be a bit of a wus or something.
Wendy.
157
Hi Jen
158
how arew ya Jen
159
hi did any one know a margaret molloy or bromley who was probably sent there by the courts in the early 70s. vin
160
Hi,
My mum was in Abbotsford convent in the 1930's and I'm trying to find out more information about what the place was like at that time. Is anyone able to help me?
161
My mother who is now 74 years old attended school at the Abbotsford Convent. This would have been during the late 30s and the 40s. My mother didn't live at the Convent but has many stories of mistreatment and some of kindness shown by some of the nuns. One of the things that my mum has talked about were the "orphans" who lived at the convent but in a different area. They didn't mix with them (due to the Convent rules/structure) but sometimes they would talk to them through a fence. Mum said she asked them what they did and the children said they cleaned things etc. I think they told her that they had to wash/polish the floors etc. The children asked her and her friends about their lives. She paints a very sad picture of those children and even as a child felt sorry for the children there.
162
Hi Maureen
It sounds like you have had a lovely life. Congratulations.
Do you remember a girl named Corrine at the Albert Park convent? I think she was there late 1950's – early 1960's.
163
Hi I have read your comments with great interest, I was at The Home Of Good Sherpherd, The Pines In Plympton adelaide for nearly 2 years from 1954, we worked in the laundry, also had to take saints names
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who spent time at the Pines. Thank you for your site.
Mary
164
I was in Good Shepherd Convent in 1967.
Is this the only forum for us; the posts seem a long time ago.
Michelle
165
Hi, Michelle, I can’t find any other site for Good Shepherd Convents, were you in the home The Pines in Adelaide?
Mary
166
Hi Ursula,I also was at st Mary's from 1951 and left about July 1956 my memories are not good about Mother rita she was very cruel to me my name was Valerie panczyczyn my sister who was older than me, her name was Maria,do you rember Marleen Mifsud her father was one of the gardners also a girl called Nevis not sure if I have spelt her name correctley, we were the very best of friends Iwould love to know how they are I always think of them.
the other girl that I remember was Elisabeth Cattle,I would love it if you can find the time to replyalso my name was changed by deed poll just after I left the convent It is Helen my married name is Collins regards helen and I do Hope to hear from you
167
Hi Maureen,I like Ursula was at St Mary's Our convent was right next door to the Sacred Heart the drive way that the trucks delivered the lawndry to was also the driveway for st Marys,I would have been about five years old when I went to St Marys and ten years old when we left, I remember a girl from the SHC convent looking out the window at the time I had got into trouble from Mother Rita and I was crying she called out to me and when I looked up at the window she threw down to me a beautiful santa on a red sleigh with sweets in the sleigh and I never knew her name but all these years I think of her act of kindness to me Reading some of the comments some of the nuns were really nice but there were a few who were very cruel When i left there we went to Hobartand I was placed in a convent Mt St canice In Sandy Bay wich was also run by the Good Shepherd nuns
168
Hi Ursula I did respond to you I would have been at St Mary's the same time as you ,looking forward to hearing from you soon regards Helen
169
HI MAUREEN, I certainly believe you as I was there in abbotsford as well and I will never forget the food ,slavery, and many other conitions . I also have an emense deep HATE for that place, do you remember the tiny room the old ladies used to smoke in one in perticular –her name was bibbiarna and one of her arms used to shake all the time , Iwas put into the ironing room , I tremember one time when one of the pressers came down on a girls hand , her screams were terrifying I still to this day can see it , there are so many things I wish I could block out , .hope you reply marlene
170
Dear Carmel, what is it you would like to know as I was in abbotsford for a long time because I had no parents.
171
hi janet
my nameis john i am from sydney ..i am trying to find out about this place i take it it was number two clark street …i am a stollen gen so i know some of the pain all you ladies are going thro ..i am trying to fine out what else was there ..my lost grandmother was at this place …i have just found her after looking for 20 years and it gives 2 clark st as the place were she was when she died …..i would love any photos or any thing you could tell me about the place ..did it have a part for homeless poeple as i cant figer out what she was doing there as she was a native woman and given the times ..could you help me out in any way if it dose not hurt to much ok …cheers john …..birdnest@speednet.com.au…15/12/2009
172
After finding this website and reading the comments I am sitting here crying and remembering the Good Shepherd convent in Albert Park where we were slaves in the laundry and weekends spent on our hands and knees scrubbing floors. We were controlled all our waking hours by either nuns or "Auxiliaries" . My nickname was Beehive and still today I suffer the emotional trauma from being in a "prison" at only fourteen years of age and working in an ironing room ironing up to 250 shirts a day Monday to Friday and compensated with meals and a bed in a dormitory which was unsupervised and locked each night and made to wash "down there" each night with a face washer taken into "the toilet" which was so unhygienic and a bath once a week if we were lucky.
I suffered the trauma of being physically beaten on many occasions from older girls who were bullies and ended up in the infirmary.
173
I had to keep the comments short but would like to hear from any of the girls who were incarcerated in The Good Shepherd Convent in Albert Park between 1960 to 62. A traumatizing time which has affected me my entire life and wonder how the Catholic Church got away with using us as slave labour.
I can be contacted at mrkn27@bigpond.com Beehive
174
Would love to join. I was in Albert Park convent in 1960 onwards until I broke out and scaled the 8ft wall.
I am 63 years old and still cannot tell anyone about it without lots of tears as it has affected me my whole life and finally seeing a Psychologist to help me as we were slaves to the Catholic Church who used us to earn their millions
My nickname was Beehive and under the care of Mother Anne.
175
Hi I was in the orphanage part of Abbotsford Convent with my two sisters Mary and Veronica. I then spend my adolescent years with the Good Shepherds in Bendigo. The stories and memories above are similar to mine.
It is so hard to find friends from the years in the home. At St Aidan's (Bendigo) we did our schooling by correspondence. I remember there were 10 of us in year 9 ( i think) and five of us had the first name Maureen. I am still trying to catch up with girls i grew up with then.
Hi Marie, did you know Roma Saitta when you were at Albert Park? Her sister was with me at Sy Aidans and i used to write to Roma regularly.
I missed going to the reunion because i was overseas at the time and wondering if there will be another one this year. Cheers, Happy New Year to all the girls,
Maureen Cuskelly
176
Hi Dianne,
I remember you from the convent days and after. Often wonder what became of you and all the other girls. Remember when we escaped through the theatre window? Life in the con vent was just so barbaric and brutal!
But it was an extraordinary experience.
bye for now,
Wendy Beveridge
177
Hi Everyone,
I am trying to trace some history – does anyone remember a Sister named Cecilia Castles at Good Shepherd Cov? She was there for over 60 years or Mother Superior? Thanks!
178
Hi Maureen The name Roma rings a bell. I remember an indigenous girl called Lola who belted the crap out of me, also a girl called Isabelle who beat me up in the dormitory late at night and ended up in the infirmary.
179
Hi I was wondering if anyone remembered Sister Cecilia or may have heard her nickname Cis…..she was not very tall………..under five foot. She at one time ws in charge of the linen for one of the dorms.
180
There is a group called Clan, which stands for Care leavers Of Australian network , Phone number 1800008774 ,i am a member and my name is Heather, I too was in abbotsford convent in 1959 till 1963 . I worked in the ironing room . Sometimes worked 3 pressers .
181
hi all im looking for jenny jacobson and judy johnstone my name is angela dyer was in good shepherd convent aroung 1968 till 1971 was in the sewing room with mother albert and imelda does anyone one know them
182
Hey Angela,
Luv,Jennie
183
I've heard the stories over the years. I went to Abbotsford, St. Euphrasia's to attend school, not as an orphan. My best girlfriend who I still see spent her child hood years as "convent kid" as we used to call them. I was scared of some of the girls from the convent.The looked tough and frightening and I now realise why. They were treated, no not treated, abused really in many different forms.
The stories my friend told me back in the 60's and over the following years I found to be absolutely shocking. She had nightmares well into her 40's over the years she'd spent in the convent. She was pushed down a few stairs by Mother, gee will I say her name, no, I've heard she's still alive and she still frightens me..lol.
I was at Abbotsford 1st form 1966 to 4th form 1969. Even not being in the convent, the nun's were pretty cruel at school. I remember getting whacked over the head a few times by a certain nun, but my life at Abbotsford was a breeze compared to the girls that lived there day after day. I had the luxury of catching the train home with a fun bunch of school friends to a loving wonderful family.
I still often wonder if they realise now, finally, what they did to hurt and damage so many girls who lived in the convent, or are they still in denial.
184
hi jennie how are you its angela i was in the good shepherd convent at abbotsford with mother albert and imelda
185
hi judy its angela i was with mother albert in the good shepherd convent at abbotsford in the 1960s i remember you and jenny was wondering how you have been
186
hi jenny what you been up to angelad9492@hotmail.com this is my email address
187
To all the girls who were in the Good Shepherd Convents. I recently applied to the Archivist for specific dates of when I was "in their loving care" and reply was the Good Shepherd have LOST all records of girls in Good Shepherd Albert Park. The written letter back to me stated this which I find incredulous to believe that they have no records of any girls placed in their care in the late sixties. I have lost contact with Mother Anne somehow she does not answer any of my emails anymore. I hope you are OK and you were so kind to me so if you read this please get in touch as I do not blame any of the nuns just the system. Beehive
188
Hi everyone
I hope its ok if I post this here. I'm trying to find information about my husbands grandmother who was with the Good Shepherd Sisters. I don't know a lot but here is what I have.
Her name was Ivy Mena. She was fostered by a family with the name of Andrews. She would have been born in 1913 but was apparantly in and out of the convent over the years. I do know that she was back in the Albert Park convent in June 1931 until June 1932 but of course would have been an adult by then. I have a letter from the Good Shepherd Sisters Archives confirming this but it states Mr & Mrs Andrews as her parents. I have heard that she worked in the laundry at sometime but am not sure where or when. She was married in 1837 so i do not know if she returned again.
Regards
Suzanne
189
Hi Helen, now I know why the name Marleen Mifsud always played on my mind for many years . It's been so many years and names and faces are long changed and forgotten. Apparently I was the "little bird" in the gilded cage in one of the concerts when I was 3.. Mother Rita gave me my first spanking for trying to pinch 2 pennies. Regards Ursula nee Gorzedowska
190
I was at Abbotsford Convent in St Joseph's. All the nuns who looked after us in that section were lovely women. Mother Eugene was firm but fair as she did have a big responsibility looking after so many of us girls. She actually did hug me.
Mother John who was so gentle. Mother (Borgia?) a short lady who had a great sense of humour, she left the convent and worked in Myers for some time. Dear old Mother Francis Regis who looked after my two younger sisters. She always had a smile for everyone.
My job was while there was to clean the bathroom in Holy Angels where the old and infirm ladies lived. I enjoyed doing it and made good friends with the ladies. Every day my best friend Gail and I would go down to the kitchens to collect the meals for these ladies. We loved going to the kitchens as we would chat to the postulants and novices and always had a good laugh.
Gail was an excellent spitter and on the way to the kitchen everyday she would use her talent to see how far she could spit. I was a lousy spitter and so never won that competition
Gail and I also worked in the drying room, I remember we would put the old ladies clean and dry knickers on our heads as veils and pretend were were nuns. We almost got caught one day!
The only nuns I was scared of were Mother Thomas and Mother Austin. Tomo punched me in the back for not being able to work the treadle sewing machine. I made sure I stayed down a year in Form 1 because I didn't want to go upstairs to Mother Austins class I was so scared of her. My elder sister had to put up with her though.
191
Hi Agnes
I too went to St Euphrasia's. Mother Austin's class still gives me the creeps. I wasn't the best student but in hindsight it was probably that I wasn't taught very well. I didn't mind Mother Thomas.
I was the youngest of 7. My two older brothers went there as did some of my Aunties.
I am now an Integration Aide at a Catholic Secondary College and thoroughly enjoy it. I have been here for seven years and have learned more in this time than I ever learned at 'school',
Regards
Sue Pirrotta (nee Stewart)
192
hi ursula can you email me my address petercollins@hotkey.net.au would love to hear from you regards Helen
193
This is maybe not the place to post becuase my query is much earlier, I just cant find anywhere to ask these questions. Family has just found out through gaining death certificate that Great Grandmother , Mrs. Elizabeth Hedges, died in Magdalen Asylum, Abbotsford in Oct 1912 aged 49 years.
Where can I go to read about the REAL story of that place at that time?
We are having a family reunion in a few months of my 9 siblings and want to be able to present a realistic picture, but cant find anything other than a few articles in The Argus Newspaper arund that time describing some aspects of it?
Sorry for hickjacking this blog. Desperate for REALISTIC info such as what did she have to do – a married woman with a child – to be 'put' in there and ultimately die in there of pnuemonia?
chrisandjoni@aapt.net.au
Many thanks for reading this.
194
Do you still have a studio at the convent?
I only started to remember over the past 3 years, but i live inside a nightmare as i try to find me, my name, my bloodline and…any left over family who may be alive…but i no longer hope for that…it is hard…people suddenly hate me because i have post traumatic shock disorder…anyway…when i see a photo of the launrdy…a…voice inside my mind said "that's the slaughter house"…and i ran to the side of my bed a screamed as i did kneel and pray…um…it is not an easy thing to call home…not an orphanage…i was in saint aidens too…but i guess what i did yesterday? ,, i used google earth street cam to walk from my house up the hill to my school and then up the hill to the orphanage…it was very very frightening…everything feels surreal and no one helps me…i want to go there and look at it and remember via the buildings speaking 2me…but i get the shakes.
195
Hi Marlene, i was there in the 60s.
196
Hello?…beam me up please…i just did a cyber walk via google earth street cam to see my way…so i walked from my house up the street to my primary school, (((on sharon street, and an extention of nun street)))…and then further up the hill to the street the orphanage is on and i slowly made my way up the road to saint Aidans…i only started to remember in the past 3 years and still think the scars are so deep i don't wanna remember but now after i did that yesterday…i fell in love with my castle/home and i just wanna sit on the grass in the garden and look at that building and write my story as my heart and soul are rent from my being into the reality of this dream…thank you.
I did conquer the fear and the mental illness without medication.
I am still very very afraid.
197
God help me…i thought it was W.A…crikeys!…i was there in the 60's but i have only started remembering over the past 3 years so i am still frightened to death about the truth….thanks for putting those words on paper 4me to read 2day.
198
I am trying to trace what happened to my Mother, Mary Margaret O'Loughlin, who was known as "Caroline" in the Good Shepherd Convent, Abbotsford, in the Sacred Heart Class section; she is listed as being there from 4 November 1942 till 16 August 1943. Does anyone know of her? She was 18 and a short pretty little red haired girl. She kept her time there a big secret and she died in 1993 in Perth WA, leaving us many questions about a possible sibling. She had come from the Broadmeadows Babies Home; starting there 3 March 1942, resigned no date, but she turned up at St Josephs 4 Nov 42. She had come down from the Vic Mallee district, a farmers daughter.
199
Referring to my above blog about searching for what happened to my Mum, Mary Margaret O'Loughlin: if anyone has any help, you can call me on (08)9495 2191, or mobile 0400154683, or bensley@iinet.net.au.
It is distressing to see all the poor people on the Clan website trying to do their own searches for justice about their abused past, and to think I may have a "lost"sibling out there from 1942 or 1943, well, this is troubling me and my family. I do not understand how the Abbotsford Convent site is being used for Arts and crafts and community happy things today (rental income for the Catholics!) while there is a host of lost and damaged people who were "orphans" and relinquishing mothers who are being Ignored by "good"?! christians knowing they are hiding information! This is so unjust. There is no god, that is only a figment of guilty christian imaginations!
200
After months of counselling with a Psychologis I have come to terms with my "stay" in Good Shepherd Convent Albert Park. Although that was the "system" at the time to look after girls "who did not tow the line", yet we were just normal teenagers like myself and the local catholic priest told my mother I was "in moral danger" for speaking to the boy of 22years across the road. A very very traumatic time in my life being whipped out of school whilst studying for a scholarship. No education in the convent as we worked in a laundry Mon to Fridays but I will say the nuns did what they had to do and were all very kind even if we were watched 24/7. They had their hearts in the right place and were also victims of the system . God bless them all especially Mother Anne, Mother Luke and others. Things have changed now and back then it was too much discipline and not enough TLC. Now things have gone from one extreme to the other and not enough discipline or guidance. Would love to meet up again with some girls who were in Good Shep in Albert Park 1960 – 62. . Marie Ryan nicknamed Beehive in Albert Park.
201
Hi my name is Mary Dungan(maiden name). I was at the good shephed convent when I was five years old. I dont remember too much apart from the cane and horrible meals and darning socks. I also witnessed girls being ridiculed for bedwetting and them having to stand on their beds naked whilst a nun wrapped a sheet in a nappy form around her and telling all the other girls what a wicked person she was. I m sure there is much more but being susch a young age has perhaps spared me. I do remember trying to climb over the walls, which were concrete with broken glass cemented into the top.
202
Hi Maureen I was at St Aidens in 1970 for 3months I wasn't there for long i ended up running away. I was there when Wendy was there and was with Wendy and Roma at Nazareth House. Roma ended up in Winlaton, and I continued to keep in contact with Roma after the homes. Sadly Roma passed away in 2001.
203
Hello I have just spent the last hour reading all the blogs as I take time out from writing my family story, and I wish to send loving thoughts to all those who suffered while at Abbotsford. My story has been 3 years in the making after learning that Abbotsford Convent still existed. My main brief was to try and understand why my mother and her siblings were placed in institutions.
I now have a firm grasp on events that led to such a drastic step, however actually understanding the life they led eludes me and I have to accept I will never really understand.
Two of my aunts were sent in 1916 and my mother was sent at the age of 41/2 in 1920. I was fortunate enough to interview my 100 year old aunt before she died in 1908.
The thing is my aunt had a glowing account of the nuns and the education she received, while my mother before she died broke down about the consecrated penitents who she called the "old girls". She had nothing bad to say about the nuns. Perhaps these girls fared better than others because Sr Fidelis Reid was known to their mother, so maybe she protected them.
End blog 1
204
Blog 2
As you can see, I will never know for sure what actually happened but I do know, these girls spent the rest of their lives being ashamed of their time at Abbotsford and it was always a big dark family secret.
Thank you for the opportunity to contrbute and I guess I will just have to wing it as best I can, but some of your comments have been useful
My very best wishes
Helen
205
Helen Neville, we are doing same thing, same time period, want to swap notes? Joni Condos (see post above)
chrisandjoni@aapt.net.au
206
Hi Joni
I will contact you direct.
Great to have your response
Leave a Reply