Catherine Kovesi’s book “Pitch Your Tents on Distant Shores”

I received from Miss K for Christmas Catherine Kovesi’s book Pitch Your Tents on Distant Shores (2006, Playwright Publishing), a beautifully written and very substantial large-format hard-back history of the founders of the Abbotsford Convent, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. It was, and may still be, available from the Sisters’ Provincialate Office at the discounted price of $55. It is remarkable in being quite accessible to the lay reader whilst doing what institutional histories must do. It has many photos of the Abbotsford Convent. Not given to reading religious histories, I am enjoying it.

No doubt it is a commissioned history, which may explain this frank admission in the introduction: Continue reading “Catherine Kovesi’s book “Pitch Your Tents on Distant Shores””

Two nuns formerly of Abbotsford Convent get a big interview in The Age

The Age has a big full page spread today on the Convent in general, Catherine Kovesi’s book on the history in Australia of its Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and in particular, two former nuns, Sister Monica Walsh who entered the order aged 18 in 1963 and Sister Noelene White, neither of whom these days live in nunneries or wear habits but are, nevertheless, still nuns. There have been no additions to the order in the past 20 years. It’s really worth a read; I commend it to you.

Abbotsford Convent Slow Food Farmers Market Tomorrow

Yep, it’s true, and no politicians this time. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. See www.mfm.com.au, $2 entry and $2 parking. It’s a plastic bag free zone, so bring baskets, trolleys, and bags of your own. See previous posts here and here.

The Melbourne Farmers’ Markets website’s blurb is:

“Farmers’ markets are at the heart of Slow Food. It’s not just the most direct source of fresh produce but also a genuine, accessible way for the public to find the real story on how our food is farmed.

…The market will illustrate Slow Food principles and the Victorian Farmers’ Market Association criteria and be all proceeds will be directed back into local Slow Food endorsed projects.

This is simply about Victorian farmers getting what they deserve for their efforts and consumers getting value for what they pay for…. no long cold storage, no gases, no over processed chemical laden foods and no GMOs. Just delicious, nourishing seasonal foods in an atmosphere that promotes conviviality and community.

Come and find seasonal, organic and low/no chemical fruit and vegetables, free range, rare breed and heritage meats, fish, chooks and eggs. Then there’s handmade cheeses, pasta, condiments, bread, honey, olive oil, flowers, seedlings and much, much more.”

Dates for the next 6 markets are: 23 December, 27 January, 24 March, 28 April, 26 May,  and 23 June.