It all started in late January or early February (I am not sure of the date), I boarded the Cairns train in Mareeba at mid-day. Those days the train left Cairns at 9am and another train left Ravenshoe about the same time, both trains arriving in Mareeba mid-day. The Cairns train continuing to Ravenshoe and the Ravenshoe train continuing to Cairns. Therefore, the girls from Ravenshoe were the first to arrive in Herberton and the girls on the Cairns train arrived later, about 2pm. I was the only Mareeba girl on the train that first day and for the next 2 years 1921-1922. Later in the afternoon Vera Dunne from Irvinebank arrived by “Horse Drawn Sulky” as there weren't very many motor cars those days. Between 40 and 50 girls were enrolled as ‘Boarders’ the first year. As the years went by the numbers swelled.

The M.S.B building was not quite complete and the first few weeks our dormitory was in the “Day School Building” and school for the day students was held in the Nun’s residence next door. The Nuns were accommodated in the left wing of the M.S.B Building which was completed. The room on the left of the entrance to M.S.B was our Refectory at mealtimes, and also used for school work, school was conducted around the verandas. Later we were transferred from the Day School Dormitory to what was to become eventually the Refectory and then when the building was finally completed were at last transferred to our dormitories upstairs. The Senior Dorm (Our Lady’s) on the right wing and facing the town and the Junior Dorm (Divine Infants) behind that. The Study Hall was beneath the Senior Dorm, and Music Rooms behind the Study Hall with a hallway between. A platform was erected at the end of the Study Hall and was used as a stage for concerts.

The highlight of the year was the concert at the end of the year. Only the Boarders, relatives, Nuns and Priests were present, and it was always a success. The opening item was played on six pianos “Irish Airs” with variations the first year 1921 and “Wearing of the Green” with variations the second year 1922. I believe the Music which drifted downtown was something “out of this world”. I enjoyed being one of the six pianists. Sr Mary Canice organised the musical items and was the teacher of piano and violin. She was my piano teacher and put me through “Advanced Senior” (Piano) 1921 and A.L.C.M (Piano) 1922. Other teachers of the different subjects I took were Sr M De Sales, Sr M Catherine, Sr M Dominic, Sr M Carthage and Sr M Enda who have all passed on.

I can remember vividly a young Aboriginal woman by the name of Dinah who helped in the kitchen and brought the big “Tea Pots” of tea at mealtimes. She was always immaculately dressed in white which looked even whiter against her dark skin. She was reared from infancy by people by the name of McBride and was known as Dinah McBride. Dinah was quite a lady in the true sense of the word and spoke perfect English and always greeted us with her “Winsome smile”. We all loved Dinah.

The building was officially opened and blessed by the then Bishop of Cairns “Bishop Heavey” about September, I think. Excursion trains were run from Cairns and Ravenshoe lines and quite a crowd of visitors witnessed the event plus Priests, Nuns and boarders. Fr Doyle and Fr Downey were the two Priests in Herberton those days. Rev Mother Evangelist was the “Mother Superior”. She travelled to Ireland the previous year and brought over 14 young Irish lasses who entered the profession and taught Religion, School and Music at M.S.B.

The days started with Sr M. De Sales entry into the Dorms with “Praise be to Jesus” and all answering “Amen”. Then it was out of bed, washed and dressed and down to the Study Hall ready to march to Mass at 7am. (Rosary was recited everyday after breakfast all kneeling in the Study Hall). Sunday afternoons were always a walk along the road to a clearing in the scrub where we played “Rounders”. Those days there was one tennis court in the grounds and other games that were played were “two’s and three’s” etc. The games of yesteryear. The second year a basketball court was set up. (Today it is called Netball). Those were the Pioneer days of M.S.B. None of the modern conveniences of today, only the one building. But today buildings have been added around the main building with every modern convenience and one needs a guide to show one around. The “Sports Ground” with showers etc. is something to be proud of. No doubt the good Nuns are to be congratulated on the progress of M.S.B (You can’t beat the women “Where there is talk to do or cash to spend).

The uniform of M.S.B in my day was black frock, long sleeves and a white collar for school. White frocks were worn for concerts and special occasions. The previous year 1920 I was a boarder at St Mary’s Convent Cooktown and quite a few of the boarders were at M.S.B the first few years.

The winding stairs that were at the Cooktown Convent and led from the Study Hall to the dormitory’s upstairs are now in use at M.S.B.

I was privileged to become a boarder in 1929. Our only means of arrival at Herberton was by Railway Train. After a long arduous day from 7am, we arrived in Herberton at 4pm. From here it was a walk up to the school from the Railway Station. Mt St Bernard College in the early days could only cater for about 80 girls and there was a boy’s residence at the bottom of the fence, run by the Culloty Family. We were greeted by the Sisters who showed us around to our beds and storage, baths, toilets, study rooms, music areas, dining area and a general survey of what there was. My first bed was in the Junior Dormitory we did not arise out bed until after the Senior Dormitory members had risen, dressed and went downstairs to study. It usually was a 6 o’clock rise, and Junior 6.30 rise.

Breakfast was at 8am, after attending early morning Mass at 7 o’clock and then the school began. The first years of our school day was in what was called the Day School, which also catered for local resident boys and girls. A break was at 11am where bread and syrup was served, if you were lucky to have the first slice it was tasty, but if it were the last slice of the big roll of bread on the plate, it was ‘Syrup and Bread’ as you can guess the syrup penetrated through the slices of bread from top down to the bottom. Back to the classroom at 11:30 and then lunch at 12:30 midday. After lunch it was back to school till about 2pm. In those days there was not many sport activities to fill the time space, however I recall how we used to draw all sorts of Hop, Step and Jump on the dirt and kept ourselves amused with these innovative activities. Another recall of times of those days was the usage of Slates. We all had Slates and the slots in the desk to put them in when not in use. When we were not in the school room access to inside the Hall was locked. However, on several occasions the doors were not locked. It became apparent on these occasions, when returning to school after lunch, there was destruction of some slates on the floor. This of course, put us all through the works to see who had done the damage, but alas no person was found guilty. However, it was kept under strict surveillance and the culprit was found. At the rear of the building was a small hole, and the goats found their way into the Hall and had their lunch eating our slates. You can just imagine how relieved we kids were to be cleared of all suspicion.

The school time was over at 4pm, when we had afternoon lunch-bread and jam (no butter in those days), followed by sport, which was baseball, though not played as we see today. It looked more like Rounders. Later the school brought Vigiro and outdoor Basketball, with one Tennis Court. There was a large Table Tennis table available for the game under the downstairs area adjoining the playing field. At 5pm it was back to school studies preparing for the next days lessons. Those doing Music, this was also practice time for them, half and hour each person. At 6 o’clock it was to the Dining Room for our evening meal, not banquet style, however we all survived. The same programme was enforced all week until Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday was generally a day when we indulged in some pranks and sports, and in the afternoon after sports it was to the library for books to read, while others sat down and did all types of needle work, embroidery, crocheting and knitting to fill in the time until tea time. After Tea we generally had a bit of dancing, singing and general relaxation. Sunday, all was up for Mass at St Patricks Church, and the day was very leisurely. Though in those days, we wore on these two days, a navy-blue dress. While on school days it was the traditional pinafore and blouse. Sunday afternoon we were taken for a walk under the supervision of two Sisters. We went to various sites in and around Herberton, such as the Weir, Wondecla, Anniversary Falls and such places.

Each year, girls who were studying musical instruments had their times given to them and most of the girls were prepared for musical exams when the Examiner came to Herberton for the testing. After all was over, the Examiner would come on the last night and give a fine performance on the piano of the many famous composers. However, recalling on one occasion, while we and the Sisters were all enjoying our musical evening, the Hotel where he was staying at had caught fire, and being built of timber in those days, it was quickly engulfed and burnt to the ground. However, we still all passed our tests that year. Another year to recall of music exams was one year, when the exams were usually held early in July and in those days the winter temperature used to be below 30 degrees Celsius, and of course you could never have a wash of a morning because the water used to freeze in the taps. However, the exams were still held on schedule, and all participants were given a slight touch of linseed oil warmed to enable the fingers to move. The Examiner passed all students and did not fail anyone.

Every year in May, a fancy-dress ball was held, and all girls made their costumes from coloured papers. It was a lot of fun and achievement. In September, the Annual Sports Day was held, and all boarders participated in the traditional running sports, skipping etc. It was a good fun day plus our lunch was favoured with a lovely date roll, sweets and tarts.

The next major episode was the Annual School Concert, which was performed by all boarders on the night before the College closed for Christmas holiday. Generally, all parents of the boarders were present for the concert and the next morning everyone headed home with their families.

As the years progressed and more equipment in the school was being continuously updated, it was customary to have monthly exams in all school grades and then at the opening day of the new month. A report of each person’s effort was recorded, such as ‘Coming head of her class’ and other places in the class. This also applied to sports achievement, as there were two teams, comprising Senior, Intermediate and Junior sections under the colours of red and white one complete team, the other blue and gold covering the same numbers.

As the college increased its intake of students, it saw the closing of the open verandah outside the Senior Dormitory to allow extra girls to come up to the College. One can see how the College has grown to its size and capabilities. The progress of Mt St Bernard has and is due to the dedication of the early Sisters of Mercy. Most of them in those days having come from Ireland to our isolated town of Herberton.

Recalling some of those Sisters who were very active with the girls, Sister M. De Sales, Sr Canice, Sr Benedict, Sr Dominic, Sr Oliver and all the Sisters who gave their time and love to all of us, one and all. It has been a memory well kept in our hearts of the past students of Mt St Bernard College, both past and present. We are thankful to God for being able to enjoy such an opportunity to develop our lives and being prepared for the outside world, wherein all human beings must live their lives and be responsible for their own actions.

May God bless you all and fill your hearts with peace, love and friendship.

THE FIRST BOARDER AT MSB

Sybil Edwards (christened Sylvinia)

18 May 1907 – 13 August 1990

Married Tom Kelly of Stannary Hills 1930

 

 Sybil in the 1920s

My mother Sybil loved her years at MSB.

She was proud to be the first boarder to arrive on opening day because of the early train schedule from Ravenshoe (see Ronnie Crimmins’ story) and, being the extrovert she was, waited excitedly for the other girls to arrive.

 I heard nothing but joy about her years there. I wish I had asked her more about her activities.

She was particularly fond of Mother Enda.

Mum’s father, J.E. Edwards (Ern), built the hall at MSB.

At first he was very reluctant to send his girls to the nuns but after working there could not praise them enough.

For most of her life Mum did as much as she could to support the nuns especially after they opened a school at Ravenshoe.

 

Nell (Ellen) Edwards   1915-2015

Mum’s younger sister, Nell, followed her to MSB in the mid 1920s.

Nell was a lot shyer and found it all a bit overwhelming.

 
Nell

 

Margaret Kelly (Sybil’s daughter)

I attended MSB 1957-1959

My best memories are of the lifelong friendships I made there.

I really appreciated the sport and various physical activities. Sports Day was a very welcome event.

Preparation for concerts created a lot of excitement and our parents could visit for these occasions.

We had very limited contact with our families. Just a visit once a month. No phone calls.  We could write home once a week and all letters to and fro were read and censored by the nuns.

We could never speak in the dormitories.  Speaking at mealtimes was limited by a bell, sometimes we just had to listen to a nun reading Lives of the Saints as we ate in silence.

Nor did we ever see a newspaper or hear a radio or a news bulletin.

Like most boarding schools the food was not very palatable. My father supplied the meat for the school and I convinced him to say that liver was no longer available. We craved sweets and endeavoured to hide our hoard in all sorts of places. My dear friend Maureen Waldby used to sneak in tubes of Condensed Milk in her toiletry bag and never got caught.

Music was important at MSB. Poor Sister Mary Mercy did try to make a pianist of me with limited success. However many wonderful musicians came out of that school including Maureen Waldby.

An advantage of being in the choir was being able to look down from the loft onto the congregation at Sunday mass and see people from “outside”. Sometimes the boys with whom I had been a tomboy in Ravenshoe rode their bikes to Herberton to give me, up in the loft, a grin and a wave.

We followed, from that loft, the romance from woe to go, of a pair of courting state school teachers. (well, no Netflix then).

Sister Mercy was a very kind woman to us all.  As were  Sister Sylvester, Sister Gregory and Mother Aquinas.

Cooking and sewing with the very tolerant and lovable Sister Mary Chanel on Saturdays was great fun where Olivia Ghidella,   Pat Ryan and Robin Munro were always up for a prank with me. We only went there to get out of chores.

During scholarship year Sister Malachy made us learn a large number of compositions off by heart and we were supposed to then write one of those for our scholarship examination. Her grammar lessons were thundering.

I felt we were in a version of a nun’s Novitiate with rules ridiculously strict for young women about to go out into a world about which our knowledge was deliberately restricted. I left after Junior and completed my Secondary education at Lourdes Hill College in Brisbane where we were more exposed to the outside world.

However there is rarely a week goes by that I do not speak joyfully with one of my friends from MSB such were the friendships forged by that forced closeness. I love catch-ups when I regularly visit from my home in Brisbane.

Margaret Kelly. Sports Day 1958

 

Sybil’s granddaughters

Christine Kelly attended in 1966-1968 and loved her time there.

She says it was much more peaceful than being at home as the oldest of five girls.

Her sister, Rhonda Kelly attended in 1967 but got very homesick as their ailing father, Sybil’s son Colin, died that year at 36.

Rhonda and Christine Kelly (sisters)

 

Written by Sybil’s daughter, Margaret Yeates (nee Kelly) for the 100 year Centenary.

1 July 2021

A FRIENDSHIP FORGED THE DAY MSB OPENED.

Sybil Kelly (nee Edwards) and Ronnie Crimmins (nee MacDonald) met on the day the school opened and remained lifelong friends. Their stories are told in other sections of 100 years of yarns.

Ronnie married Jack Crimmins at the Catholic Church in Mareeba, 31^st of October 1928, with Sybil as her bridesmaid.

The bride, Ronnie MacDonald, looked sweetly pretty in her wedding gown of ivory crepe royal handsomely beaded in crystal and silver beads.

The long court train was of white satin, lined with pale pink georgette, and beaded in true lovers' knots.

The oval shaped tulle veil was caught into a coronet with bands of orange blossom and beautifully embroidered.

She carried a glorious bouquet of St. Joseph and Arum lilies, and bridal fern, tied with silver picket edged ribbon streamers, on which were attached tiny horse shoes and wish bones.

 Miss Sybil Edwards, bridesmaid, wore a charming frock of pink and blue mariette, the skirt being French pleated and the bodice finished with diamante and a pink posy on shoulder.

A pretty pink georgette hat completed a dainty toilette.

She carried an exquisite wedding fan shaped posy bouquet of gladiolis, snap dragons, agapanthus, and asparagus fern, tied with pink tulle streamers.

She wore the bridegroom's gift, a sapphire ring.

 

Extract from The Northern Herald. 14 November 1928

 Sybil wore Ronnie’s headdress at her wedding in Ravenshoe in 1930.

 Prepared by Margaret Yeates nee Kelly, Sybil’s daughter.

The following is a collection of memories from past students of different eras when we posted a question on Facebook: What are your memories of Concert Hall / Mercy Hall?

Vivian DC (1992-1996) I remember it still being called the Concert Hall in Grade 8 1992 and being renamed Mercy Hall in Grade 11 or 12 (1995 or 1996). Boy day students started at MSB when I was in Grade 10 1994. The much bigger Main Hall (multi-purpose) became the venue for concerts, drama plays, St Augustine dances, etc to fit the larger student population.

Ann Kathryn Casson (1952-1958) remembers girl dances and concerts in the Hall. 1952 – 58 Three sisters Del, Ann and Kay Armstrong

Bridget Greensill (1983-1987) – The fabulous concerts that were held in the hall as well as choir practice. They were always fabulous; Sr Pam Murray was amazing and got the best out of us girls. Our choir was brilliant and so proud to be a part of it. Sr Pam was amazing, she wrote all our orchestra pieces and conducted them as well. Maxine McFarlane also accompanied a lot of stuff on the piano.  Same Era - Janene Harrison remembers the orchestra and choir, such great memories.

Bridgit such a talented bunch!!

Kay Evans (1950-1958) – remembers being 7 years old and I thought I could run and jump up on that stage from the floor. Well that it for my acting career. Sprained my ankle so became the new choir girl. We learnt to dance in the Concert Hall too. Our partners were girls. You got a cup for the win.

Question: Who remembers catching the night train to Atherton to see the Pope or Bishop? [it was neither - it was American Evangelist Billy Graham] And having to stay awake all the way home. Can't even guess how many Hail Mary’s we said.

Ann Kathryn Casson says it wasn’t the Pope it was Billy Graham. He was some bloke spreading the word of God. He was from America. An American Evangelist

Kellie Evans (1990s) – Drama lessons and school plays 1990’s

 Monica Dawson (1988-1992) – 88 was my first year and I remember choir practice in the Concert Hall, for the big one in Cairns. Full choir ran the length of the Hall to fit us in. The Hallelujah chorus still gives me chills. I also remember playing Mrs Grogan in Pete’s Dragon Musical. Very good times.

Jehanna Jo – Hallelujah was always my favourite to sing and it still gives me chills to hear it.

Juile Tye (late 1960s) School dances with St Augustine's were held in the Hall. The Hall was always decorated with a theme, one that stands out is Bonnie & Clyde. (Peta O’Conner, Kate Patane also remember).

Bridget Greensill - Sensible skirt lengths always adhered too.

Joan Carbone (1969-1972) Dances, plays, concerts and Sr M Jude would run the movie projector for the movie nights. We used the Hall for many things. End of year plays, St Patricks Concert items, skits. It was used often as well as the indoor Study Hall. 

Margaret Byrne (1968 – 1972)  & Kate Patane remembers Leaving on a jet plan being sung, and the baby face skit and lots of laughter

The old boarders always put on a concert to welcome new boarders at the start of the first term. Then the new boarders did a thank you concert at the end of first term.

Chris Petersen remembers doing the play Rosa Maria

Marguerite Moore – The farewell concert fr the Years 12’s produced by Year 10

Peta O’Connor (late 1960s-early 1970s) remembers ballet and highland dancing in the Hall in the early 70’s. The steel stackable chairs and the wide wide brooms to sweep.

Joan Carbone – as well as tap dancing and ballroom dancing.

1988 – 1992 Anne Garton Class photos were done in the Hall as well as school concerts. I remember singing in the choir on the stage and playing the trumpet in the orchestra. We also did ballroom dancing in the Hall.

Anne Dalla Pozza – St Augustine's, Saturday night movies and choir.

Mary St Ledger – Remembers Sunday night discos with just the girls, so much fun just dancing till we dropped. 1976/7 yoga classes, Movie nights with Sr Margaret working the projector.

Margaret Byrne – the debating competition on a Saturday

Kate Patane – The Hall in the 80’s was Movie night and dances on a Friday night. (maybe Main Hall) remembers drama in the hall and orchestra days when guests came.

Bernadette Killin Boarder, concerts and musical, friendships book

Lrae Tawse (1961-1964) - My memories from my years there 61-64 movie nights and if the movie reels did not arrive then dancing with the classmates to the music of one of our school pianists. Singing practice for the Sorpranos. (altos practised in the Study Hall) until we knew our parts and Sister Mary Mercy would bring us all together to create the most beautiful choral sounds, practising for speech night (not sure if speech night was in the Hall or was it down at Town Hall, which included musicals, physical education and speech items. On stage training for choral excerpts of “My Fair Lady” and another which may have been “The Sound of Music”. Of course, on St Patricks Day we sang for the nuns or when the Minister for Education visited, we did our singing in the Study Hall. Then there was the farewell for the Seniors, where the Seniors prepared a farewell song. Our year doing one with one of the Beatles songs behind the base music for our class written song. And there was the cheekiness of one of my classmates who had us all quietly singing “Show me the way home” as we marched back to our dormitories' at the end of a dance night.
Suzanne and Janette Martin 1950-1956
concerts, speech nights, movie nights (with film projector), dancing lessons - old time of course, Sr m Mercy conducting choirs, Mother Enda supervising.
Del Armstrong (Henderson) 1950-1957
I won a dancing cup with Maureen Wholey. Shakespeare play and comedy plays.
Ann Armstrong (Casson) 1952-1959
I learnt to dance in the hall. Concerts at Christmas, Queen of Sheeba (??) came to this hall and we had an egg and spoon race.
Kay Armstrong (Evans) 1952-1960
some lovely memories of concerts in front of parents at break up, running and jumped up on the stage and sprained an ankle, memories!!
Cheryl Henderson 1976-1978
Baseball on lower field, Nuns against students
Kellie Evans 1990-1994
Some lovely memories
Rosemarie Pennisi 1988 - 1991
Many fond memories of the hall. Popcorn, movies, fundraising, roller skating. Jamming music on a Sunday afternoon while others had visitors. Theme nights. Sr Pam Murray, Fred, Rosemarie, Belinda
Margaret Powell (nee simcock) 1974-1978
Movie nights in the concert hall: reel to reel film projector that sometimes burned holes in the film. Movies such as Sunshine (John Denver soundtrack) 2 mules for Sister Sarah, Carve her name with pride, Funny face, Herbie the love bug, Rooster Cockburn to name a few.
Susan Vievers 1974-1976
I remember having retreat in this hall and the musical I was in... Jesus Christ Superstar' and many more memories'.
Diana (Fapani) Casalanguida 1959-1960
Playing one of the crowd in the 'Story of Fatima' play on the stage. We did the Merchant of Venice and dancing in the progressive barn dances! the packed hall on Speech Night with parents and relatives!
Milena (Borsatto) Stephens 1964-1967
the musicals/concerts we put on for parents at the end of the year. 'The Student Prince', 'Carmen', 'The black and white minstrel show. 
Norma (Porter) Tanna
Did 'Story of Fatima'. I played Francesco. Fell of on stage and ripped my trousers on final rehearsal night. Got mended, all good!
Rosita Henry (nee Rusch) 1972-1973
i remember the dances we used to have with the St Augustine boys. One year I remember one of the Sisters standing up on a bench to make sure we were not dancing too close. She was armed with a ruler and would separate couples with her ruler, measuring to make sure we were dancing at least 12" apart. i remember Sr Mary Jude checking over dresses before the dance to make sure they were suitably modest.
Carol Madden nee Venables 1954-1957
We watched the 'pictures' here. I cried so much when someone was beheaded in 'A Tale of Two Cities' that I was told I wouldn't be allowed to watch a 'picture' (movies) if I didn't pull myself together. Happier memories were end of year concerts, St Patrick's nights when we learnt lots of Irish songs like 'when one has one little ove' and the Spinning Wheel song. I was the boy Mary appeared to at Fatima in a play one year, and so much more. Lovely memories.
Fiorella Morlin 1963-1966
the 'hall'. It was the site of concerts be they choir or plays and the occasional dances with St Augustines boys or else our dance nights - where we danced with each other.
Rosemary Piagno 1963-1964
Concerts, fashion parades and movies when the film broke regularly- "sad movies". Practising for down town annual concert and walked home up the hill for coffee and anzac biscuits before bed.
Norah Yellub 1994-1998
School concerts, orchestra, wind band, boarders concert
Maria Girgenti 1987-1990
Fond memories of MSB - great teachers, Sr Anthony, David Vaux, lyn Humphries and all the amazing Nuns, Sr Christina, Sr Barty, Sr 'Chooky', Sr Pam thompson (RIP). School of concerts, dusk to dawns in hall, the 'dungeon', polishing shoes, charge kitchen duties, free weekends, school masses, study tiime and lots more...
Rosemary Ugarte 1978-1979
I was so excited to be coming to MSB, as my cousin Liza Ghidella was coming here as well. The first night, and saying goodbye to Mum and Dad, the reality hit! I cried nearly every night, was so homesick. I am so grateful for attending MSB and the friends I have made.
Sofija (Sophie) Maric 1978
It was in this hall that a female police officer came to give us a talk about a career in policing and I remember katarina Bosnjak (now Carroll) being very excited and telling me that she was going to become a police officer and go as high as she could. I also sat with Katarina in the dining room and this was all she ever spoke about doing. A few years later in 19832 we were both at the Police Academy. Mine was incidental as I had never had any desire to join but at that time needed a job and walked passed an Uncle Sam recruitin poster. 
My sister Tenzija Maric who was also in Katarina's year level also joined the Australian Federal Police and did a few peace keeping deployments overseas. Sadly she passed away in December 2019.

Mt St Bernard College

 

The pioneer community of Sisters who founded the Convent of Mercy, Herberton, in 1910 was: Sister Mary Agnes, Sister Margaret Mary, Sister M. Philomena and Sister Mary Catherin. They opened St. Patrick’s Primary School on the 29^th June of the same year with an enrolment of over 100 children.

Herberton at this time was a lively and prosperous mining centre. Its future depended largely on the railway from Cairns which was being built since 1886 and had just reached Herberton this year, 1910. Already in 1884 it had seventeen hotels and two newspapers called the “Wild River Times” and the “Herberton Advertiser”. These papers amalgamated to form the “Herberton Times” which functioned up to the 1930’s. Indicative of the prosperity of Herberton is the fact that in 70 years, between 1880 and 1950, the Herberton mineral field produced approx.. $160,000,000 worth of tin. The present Great Northern Mine Battery was opened in 1904 (this mine having functioned since 1880), and was at one time one of the most efficient tin dressing plants in Australia.

The Sisters lived for about ten years in an old wooden cottage situated in the front lawn, where the Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes now stands. IN 1918 a severe cyclone struck Herberton badly damaging the little Convent. The Parish Priest at the time was Father Patrick Bernard Doyle, O.S.A., and he was assisted by Father Thomas Downey, O.S.A.. The Convent was so severely battered that repairs were out of the question, and the building of a new Convent had to be considered.

 

Now Father Doyle had big plans in his mind for his beloved Herberton. These he discussed with Bishop J. Heavy and Reverend Mother Evangelist. Cooktown, which up to that time had a flourishing boarding school attached to the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Mercy, St. Mary’s Convent, was now on the decline and it was imperative to build a new Convent and boarding school somewhere else in the near future. Why not Herberton with its bracing climate! After much prayer and consultation the decision was taken and extensive plans for a Convent and large boarding school at Herberton were drawn up and the contract let to Messrs. T. O’Meara & Sons, Cairns. It was Mother M. Evangelist who suggested that the establishment should be named “Mt. St. Bernard” after Father Doyle who first conceived the idea of a boarding school in Herberton.

Mother M. Evangelist was a remarkable woman. She was a member of the Pioneer band of five Sisters who arrived in Cooktown from Dungarvan in 1888 to found St. Mary’s Convent, (now the James Cook Museum), the first Convent in North Queensland. She was born in 1855, entered the Convent of Mercy, Dungarvan in 1880 at the age of twenty five, already an experienced educationalist. She was a member of the teaching staff at St. Mary’s Convent, Cooktown from 1888 till 1892 when she became the first Superior and foundress of St. Monica’s Convent, Cairns. Selected Superior of the Order in 1906 she was instrumental in opening Convents and schools in towns which have since grown into large centres, but which were then only sparsely populated. She died in 1950 at the age of ninety-five after having spent sixty-two years serving Christian education.

Before building could be commenced land had to be secured. After lengthy negotiations with the Council half an unused street was obtained. Many years after the other half was secured.

In 1919 Mother Evangelist and Mother Gertrude set off for Ireland and returned with a group of Postulants in March 1920. IN the meantime the foundation stone of the Convent had been laid on 11^th January, 1920 by our late beloved Dr. J. Heavy. Day by day Father Doyle carefully watched his plans taking shape. The band of Postulants who were joined by four Cairns girls resided for their first year of the Religious Life at St. Monica’s Convent, Cairns, pending completion of the new Novitate at Herberton. ON 1^st April, 1921, Mother Evangelist, with Mother Patrick as Mistress of Novices, brought this group who were now Novices, to Mt. St. Bernard. By this time already a number of boarders had settled in under the motherly care of Sister M. De Sales.

On the 25^th September, 1921, the day after the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, Mt. St. Bernard was blessed and opened by Most Rev. Dr. J. Heavy, D. D., O.S.A., in the presence of a large gathering from near and far. Thus it was on this day that Mt. St. Bernard formally began the work of Catholic Education which it has carried on so successfully since.

For the first year the number of boarders was small as parents were waiting completion of the buildings, but 1922 opened with a good roll call, boarders being taken from the age of five onwards. Mt. St. Bernard was now registered as a Secondary School, and Miss Katie Dodd was the first Junior Public Examination student. All classes from Preparatory to Junior were now formed. A wide variety of courses, academic, commercial, music, arts, painting, sewing, dancing and deportment, and speech being available. In 1922 also, a property opposite the Convent was acquired by the Sisters and named St. Joseph’s. This housed boy boarders from five to eight years who attended St. Patrick’s Day School, and who were looked after by two Sisters, and later by Matron Murphy. At the beginning of World War II this work was discontinued as the Marist Brothers Boarding School was by then established in Cairns. At this time classes for Secondary School students were held in what is now the Concert Hall. St Joseph’s was removed to Ravenshoe in 1949 and is now the Convent of Mercy there.

On November 16^th, 1924 death robbed Mt. St. Bernard of a beloved Pastor, friend and benefactor, Rev. P. J. Doyle, O.S.A., Father Downey remained in Herberton till 1937 and did all in his power to further the interests of Mt. St. Bernard. In 1925 Mother Gertrude was elected Reverend Mother and Mother M. Evangelist went back to Cairns to return again to Herberton in 1936, where she remained until her death in 1950.

With the increase of vocations to the Order extensive additions and improvements were made to the Convent in 1928. A beautiful grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes was erected in a corner of the garden. By the ‘30’s the number of secondary students had increased so much that consideration had to be given to providing more spacious classrooms. Besides, the wooden building used as a secondary school was needed as a concert and recreation hall, for music, drama, singing and dancing was an important part of the school curriculum. So in 1939, a large three storey building was erected – the present “Lower Building”. The first and second floors were classrooms, and the upper storey a dormitory and dressing rooms. During 1939 the playground locally named “Lower Field” was levelled adding to the students’ playing space.

War years with the ensuing evacuations increased numbers considerably and every available space was utilized to capacity in all buildings. Practice for air raids became part of the ordinary routine. Shelters were dug by Rev. Fr. Hoyne then Parish Priest, and our gardener, Mick Foley. American and Australian Army Chaplains camping at Wondecla were frequent visitors at Convent and school.

In 1947 a Home Science building equipped with cooking, sewing and laundry facilities were built. The ground floor of this building was later to be enclosed to accommodate the Junior and Sub-Junior classes.

In 1952 the Kitchen Block and the Domestic Staff Quarters were extended and later the tennis and deck tennis courts were laid. Much bull dozing and levelling converted the scrub lands to the north of the College into what is now the “Top Field” playing ground. In the Sister’s Cemetery was erected also the beautiful ‘Calvary” which is a well-known landmark, and which attracts many photographers each year.

In    our first students sat for the Senior Public Examinations, and as the number of Seniors continued to grow, further classrooms were needed, so in 1956 the present grades 9 and10 classrooms were completed, and Juniors and Sub-Juniors were moved there to allow the first floor of the lower building to be converted into a dormitory.

On the 22^nd September, 1962, the first sod was turned in digging trenches for the new chapel and Infirmary building. This construction necessitated the purchase of further land. On the 9^th May, 1963, in an impressive ceremony, His Lordship Bishop Cahill consecrated the Chapel, which accommodates Sisters and students.

In August 1964, Mt. St. Bernard saw more additions to the existing buildings. A two-storey building comprising Science Laboratory and sixteen Music Rooms on the ground floor and a Dormitory and Dressing Room on the first floor, together with an adjoining recreation area was erected by Johnston Bros., Atherton. To accommodate the ever-increasing numbers “Coolock” and “St Brigid’s” dormitories and dressing rooms have since been added.

Owing to the decreasing number of day pupils, Grades One to Five inclusive were discontinued in 1970, and Grades Six and Seven will be terminated in 1972. Because of the ever-increasing number of applications, it has been decided that only Secondary students be accepted as boarders – this will become effective in 1972.

To meet adequately the demands of the present educational system we have, once again, found it necessary to undertake a building project this year. The latest addition to Mt. St. Bernard is the two storey brick building which occupies the previous site of St. Patrick’s Day School. St Patrick’s has been moved to the rear of the present High School. The new building comprises a Library, a Science Laboratory and four classrooms, with a recreation area in the basement floor. This building will be blessed and opened later this year by His Lordship Bishop Torpie, to mark the Golden Jubilee of Mt. ST. Bernard College.

Mt. St. Bernard College still caters for the education of children as far south as Townsville and north to New Guinea, and the Gulf Country. Many members of the Sisters of Mercy are past students of the College, and are continuing the work commenced by the Pioneer Sisters of sixty years ago.

This account of the development of the College would not be complete without mentioning Dina McBride, Dick Convent, Basil Strenikoff, Victor Whebel and Mick Foley. These were loyal and trustworthy helpers of the Sisters through the years. Many Sisters have been associated with the College but one whose contribution to its development was outstanding is Sister Mary Enda. She was associated with the college from 1921 until 1955, and has returned to Herberton this year.

 

My family’s long association with Mt St Bernard began in 1937 with myself being at the college until the end of 1941. Two years later my sister Felicia Stephens (nee Urgate) who now lives in Brisbane also attended the College. They were the war years and a difficult time for the Sisters and boarders with coupons and rationings being the order of the day. There were thousands of troops stationed all over North Queensland especially the Herberton area. However, we managed to cope and still have happy memories of those days. Sister Mary Enda was in charge of the boarders during that time, discipline was very strict, and even though we were all somewhat frightened of Sister (especially me), on reflecting back, I now fully realise how the discipline was for us and the benefits we derived from it.

Our three daughters were all past pupils of M.S.B. Carmel is a Doctor of Medicine and lives in Canberra, Marie also a Doctor of Medicine living in Brisbane and Anita a high school teacher living on the Gold Coast. All have happy memories of their years at the college, as does our son Vince a Solicitor in Innisfail as he was dragged up to Herberton to visit his sisters for 15 years.

My husband’s two sisters Lorna and Noreen Martin were also boarders for 8 years, so between us all we have tallied up about 30 years association with Mt St Bernard. Our family would like to congratulate M.S.B on a wonderful achievement and best wishes for a successful reunion. [Originally written by Adele for the 75th anniversary reunion, 1997].

Memories of a Boy Boarder at MS B College 1943-1944.

 

I was a Boy Boarder at MS B College for Girls during 1943-1944. I found myself in this situation because all coastal schools were closed in anticipation of an expected invasion by Japanese Forces.

I enrolled on the 29^th March 1943, a little after school commenced because I had broken my arm a few days before I was to leave to begin my education-hence I was kept at home, with arm plastered, for the initial part of the healing. My enrolment No. was 420.

The boys were accommodated in a huge residence, a couple of hundred metres down the road, on the opposite side from the College, towards the Hospital, in a dormitory type set up. In 1943 the Culloty family cared for us and in 1944 we were looked after by the Shannon family. I remember both families being very kind, helpful, friendly and family oriented towards the 10 or 12 of us domiciled there. In later years I was fortunate to meet up with two siblings of the Culloty family, John and Colleen.

My parents lived on a cane farm near Silkwood, on the banks of Liverpool Creek, and a trip to Herberton took two days. One day by rail motor to Cairns, with an overnight stay in Cairns, and the second by steam train up the Kuranda Range through all the tunnels to Kuranda Station, then on to Mareeba, Tolga, Atherton and finally Herberton.

I can vividly remember alighting from the train, spotting the Turntable, which explained to me how the train was turned around at the end of the railway line, in preparation for the return journey. Next the steep climb to the Mining Exchange Hotel, Licensee Mrs Kildea, where my mother arranged accommodation for herself. Then the long, steep descent to the wooden bridge across the Wild River and the even steeper climb up the other side to the College. I well remember the interview, my mother and I had with the Mother Superior, Sister Mary Enda, THEN I became a boarder.

In later years I would be accompanied by either my father or mother, and sometimes by both to Cairns, next day placed on the train and in company with other boys and girls, to complete the journey to Herberton and boarding school.

Remember that this was the time of the intense fighting in New Guinea, the Islands of the Pacific and the Solomons. I can still remember vividly, the train stopping at the Station opposite the Mareeba Aerodrome and the passenger carriages were directly opposite where the fighters and bombers stopped after landing, some with parts of the fuselage shot away, great holes in the body and heaps of bullet holes in the wings. Staff would use high pressure hoses to cleanse the interior of the aircraft-- blood on the inside of the fuselage was clearly visible to us all in the carriages opposite the strip, in preparation for another mission. The war was very close. At school the Air Raid sirens would sometimes sound, we would proceed down to the already prepared Zig Zag trenches, wait there until the All Clear was sounded.

My mother was friendly with Stanley Carswell's mother and my mother told me that Stanley would help me and look after me. This he did-I am forever grateful-. He would read my mother's letters to me, sitting on the steps of the School building, tying my shoe laces until I learnt to do them for myself. We have remained close friends---after that bonding---to this day. He is here today in his capacity as Chairman of Proceedings for this the 100^th anniversary of MSB. He was also responsible for me attending the 75^th Anniversary Celebrations ofMSB. I had made prior arrangements-- before I was aware of the MSB anniversary-- to attend the 75^th anniversary of the explosion at the Mt Mulligan mine. The mine exploded on the same day MSB was opened. Stan talked me into attending the MSB weekend instead. To make up not attending the Mt. Mulligan Anniversary, Eva and I attended the 90^th year celebrations, when the gigantic Chimney was again lit.

One day, several huge military trucks rumbled into the college grounds and parked with military precision, adjacent to the Church. All the boarders were marched down, and sat in the back of the canopied GM C trucks. We had no idea where we were going but it turned out to be Wondecla, where General Lesley Morsehead reviewed the 217^th /9^th Battalions prior to their embarkation for the battle fields of P N G and the Pacific Islands. We sat in the Grandstand-so small when revisited in later years---at the racetrack, It was ANZAC DAY 1944. I can still see General Morsehead's huge black shiny American limousine meandering through the trees on its way to the parade. I can still see, when the Battalion Parade "PRESENTED ARMS", the brilliant flash of SUNLIGHT, like a lightning strike emanating as one flash, from the thousands of bayonets affixed to the soldiers' rifles. A sight I will never forget. I wondered how the troops managed to keep such perfect timing and totally synchronized. When we left the Grandstand I spotted a lone soldier, on a Parapet, above the Grandstand and the battalion all took their cue from him. Later in life with 4 years in the Military, every time a Battalion Parade was held, I thought of the soldier on the parapet at Wondecla and the flash from the Bayonets. 

On one visit I remember, with my mother, attending the Cinema in Herberton, and the movie was the war drama "Mrs Minerva". Since then I have viewed it twice but the only scene I remember from the night in Herberton is the one where Mrs Minerva addresses the congregation from the Pulpit which is the only part of the church still standing following bombing raids over London.

 In second term, 1943, my mother gave me a GROSS [144] of marbles. By the time I got home for the X­ Mas vacation I had about 35 left. All lost [we played for keeps only] or stolen as I was amongst the smallest and youngest. During the X-Mas vacation I prepared a Marble ring at home and practiced until it was a rare occasion that I did NOT knock a marble out of the centre of the ring on every shot.

Returning to school in 1944, I managed to win back nearly all the marbles I had lost the year before. Taught me a lesson for life---fend for yourself, most problems can be solved, reliance in adversity, practice until perfect and another lesson reinforced in the Military---never give up. These lessons have stood me in good stead all my life. All good training from my days at MSB, Herberton.

 In 1943, during one of my mothers' visits I went to visit Mr. Bernard Balfe, the local dentist, for a deciduous tooth extraction-- 24-4-1943, the day before Anzac Day. I don't remember the visit as being unpleasant. The sequel came later in 1959, as a graduate dentist, working at the Cairns Base Hospital. I attended a post graduate Dental Course in Cairns where I once again met Bernard Balfe, on equal ground. He was quite "chuffed" when I told him my story.

 Occasionally, on a Sunday we would all march down the road towards Atherton and some where along the road we would trundle down to the Wild River for a pic-nic on the bank and a swim in the pools. It was an idyllic spot.

 During winter it was so cold that the water froze in the pipes. Tooth brushing, showering and face washing early mornings had its drawbacks. It was at MSB that I became aware that I would never have a future in the entertainment industry. I had a part in the end of year concert, played the Kettle Drums, recited "The Telephone" and "Daisy Button."

All in all I remember my days at MSB as "happy times" but most importantly they set a sound base line for my future education. For that I am forever grateful to the Sisters of Mercy.

Maurice Filei. Enrolment No. 420.     1943-1944.           [29/3/2021]

I look back on my time at MSB with fond memories despite all the handicaps we had to endure. No hot water, some pretty terrible meals and definitely no innerspring mattresses. It was always early to bed (8.30 lights out) and very early to rise. It was always bitterly cold walking down to St Patricks for early mass. 
Saturday afternoons were spent mending our stockings and polishing our shoes while Sister read the same story (The Robe) over and over. Saturday nights Sr Mary Enda tried teaching us the Irish Jig but soon gave up. Too many left feet she woudl say. But we all learnt the waltz, Pride of Erin, Gypsy Top, etc. She was an amazing woman and I loved her dearly. 
I could go on forever about MSB. When I left I was thankful for the wonderful friends I made, for the care of the Nuns (we must have been a handful) and most of all for the discipline and guidance in preparation for the Big Wide World.
"Luceat Lux Vestra"
Oriente Maggiolo (Bianchi)

ROMANO TWINS     -      RITA and RINA ROMANO 1948   to    1955/56

Mid 1948 saw two shy girls Rita and Rina Romano often referred to as the Romano Twins turn up at MSB.

Mt St Bernard was chosen as a few girls from the Tully area were already there. Elena Maifredi, Gladys Brescansin (who were family friends), Peg Moran and others from the Feluga area come to mind.

Rev Mother Enda met us on arrival and decked us out as our uniforms made by an Aunt were not correct. She followed St Peters School in Halifax and thought all Mercy Colleges would have the same style. Mother Enda took us under her wing and would check up on us regularly. First twins to board at MSB I think so we may have created history!!

We were in grade 3 when we arrived and I remember some of the girls in the class. Loretta Ryan, Jan Howarth, Lurlene Fryer, Maureen Vicary and I think an Aplin girl perhaps Marie and Norma Evans. We created a bond with the Evans sisters, Isabel and Norma, as s like us we had lost our mothers at an early age.

I don’t recall being particularly home sick after the first week. We only had visitors first Sunday of the month and holidays were only mid year and end of year.  No long weekends away etc. Easter was spent at MSB with many religious activities.  We spent after the Service on Good Friday to midnight Mass on Easter Saturday in silence and meditation. At the Mass on Saturday night the bells rang out to announce Christ has risen so we celebrated by ringing as many bells as possible in Church and being able to converse again. Easter Sunday morning was spent decorating our dining room tables and some amazing decorations appeared on these tables. They were judged by Rev Mother or Sister in charge of the Boards then these tables had to be cleared up for a special lunch. No visitors for Easter in those early years.

SPORT:   There were four sports teams named as St Bernards, colours Blue and yellow, St Patricks, colours green and yellow and Shamrocks!! St Augustines, colours purple and yellow and St Josephs in Red and yellow.

Every afternoon after school we played soft ball on the upper field or lower field with one of the Sisters or another Sister supervising or being an Umpire. I recall it being Sr Mary Xavier most times. Tennis was played also with the Aplin girls being very good at tennis.

Early morning of the big annual sports day the Sports Captains and Vice Captains in Senior and Junior teams would have their sunshades decorated, a sash presented and rosettes made in their respective colours. All team members had rosettes also. These were all made in secrecy during the previous weeks and there was much competition for the nicest decorations. St Pats always put on a good show as they had the advantage of cutting out shamrocks and pinning them everywhere.

Business Establishments in the town would make four trucks each with a reliable driver available to transport these teams to Wondecla sporting grounds and back to the college at the end of the day. Each team would pile on the back of a big truck and off we would go with Banners and streamers blowing in the wind on our way through the main street to the sports ground at Wondecla.  This was so much fun as everyone sang and waved to the locals who loved seeing the activities of the boarders at MSB. Anxious moments at times as the trucks struggled to get up the hill into the main street and big cheers when they made it.

We had sprints, sack races, egg and spoon, three legged race and team events. My sister Rina was the athletic runner in the family and won the best allrounder and the Thompson Cup. We were very proud of her.

Lunch time saw the girls form a big circle with "panican" mugs and all singing "Come to Dinner" which consisted of sandwiches and cordial. Great day was held by all.

I do remember Sunday afternoon walks to the Wild River. We walked two abreast on the road to the site, lovely spot with water trickling over the rocks and DO NOT FALL IN was the call from the Sister supervising. Did happen occasionally.  We used to have our annual picnic at this spot also.  Groups had to build their cubby house with some very creative cubbies happening as we had to find vines to tie branches together etc. Usual instruction DO NOT FALL IN THE WATER. This was an all day event also with very tired girls walking back  to the College late afternoon.

TRAVELING TO AND FROM HERFBERTON:       Tully girls had a long train ride with a night stopover in Cairns and catch the Train the  next day to  Herberton.  We all had to wear our formal uniforms and by the time we went through the tunnels between Cairns and Kuranda we were covered in coal soot. We always had a longer stop in Kuranda as they let us hop off and walk down to the

Barron Falls lookout. I needed this longer stop as I suffered from motion sickness and quite ill till we got to Atherton. Again, another slow chugging train ride from Kuranda onto Tolga. As we approached Herberton we could see the College and there would be the Nuns waving at us. Must have been happy to see us return!! When we got to Herberton we had to walk back to the College carrying any hand luggage and calling into the cafe in Herberton for a little refreshment. Mike Foley, the College Groundsman and handy man would meet the Train and collect our big luggage. This also happened when we went home for the holidays.

I remember our scholarship year which was Grade 7. This exam was held after the other boarders had gone home in December so the Grade 7 class had to stay behind. Well on the way home any passengers travelling south of Cairns had a stop over of a couple of hours before catching the Rail Motor to travel to our home towns.           As Loretta Ryan lived not far from the Cairns Railway Station she invited Gloria Omodei and I to her house to pass the time away. We had a lovely time with Loretta and her Mum but when we got back to the Railway Station we saw the tail end of the Rail Motor pulling out and we were stranded. We ended up catching the Goods Train which stops everywhere to let loading and other trains to pass.  I think we got into Babinda where Gloria lived about 6:00pm and we did not get into Tully till about 11:00 at night. No Mobile phones in those days and just the Guard in the Guards van to communicate who was on the train.  I was so scared after Gloria got off as I was the only one in this carriage with the Guard from Babinda to Tully. He was  very kind and looked after me well.  My Dad was not very happy that we left the Cairns Station instead of waiting patiently for the Rail Motor.

CONCERTS were always wonderful events expertly trained by Sr Mary Mercy who sang beautifully. MSB was noted for very professional piano players to accompany all items. I remember Mary Doolan in the earlier days then Loretta Ryan in our later years. St Patricks concert was always taken to the Town Hall and open to the general public and we had other concerts at the College all performed very professionally under the expert eyes of the Sisters in charge.

FATIMA play was another outstanding production with talented students taking the very special parts with dignity and realistic expectations.  In between scenes the Verse Speaking group played a significant part of the Production. The stage setting and presentation was professionally presented and is remembered by many today.

 Last but not least I remember Rev Mother Enda going to Ireland to find interest of any young lady that would like to join the Profession of the Mercy Order of Nuns in North Queensland. This she accomplished and we were all excited to meet the 13 lovely ladies who gave up their home and their  beautiful green Isle to come to Australia to test their vocation.

I left MSB at the end of my Junior Year 1955 to become a Stenographer at the Cane Growers Office in Ingham. Rina continued on for another year.     I met my husband to be in Ingham and 58 years later I have been blessed with 4 children 10 grandchildren and 2 almost 3 great great grandchildren. I’ve always tried to live up to the MSB Motto "Let your Light Shine", with many memories of our years at MSB and lifelong friends we made. Rina has two children 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Husband Trevor passed away in 2013 and now has a special friend in Allan.

RITA CARR (ROMANO}           and RINA BOSEL (Romano

I enjoyed my years at MSB. With sport and concerts to look forward to, homesickness was bearable. 

My sister Robyn and I could only go home to Coen twice a year at August and Christmas. We flew from Cairns to Coen on the DC3. Visiting Sundays were all sad days for us and we would look forward to Monday when our friends returned. 

Mick Foley was the Janitor. He did the maintenance work, mowed the lawns and checked the school each night to see that it was secure. He was as Irish as his name suggests and often we would hear him coming home from the hotel singing loudly especially on Saint Patrick's Day. 

Mick had a garden and grew some vegetables especially turnips, lots of them. I found them hard to eat and we were given them regularly for lunch. I decided I could not eat them any more so my friend and I smuggled in an envelope at lunch time. I put my turnip in the en­ velope and after lunch I buried it in a garden bed. Each day I would check to see if it had sprouted and given me away, not realizing that being cooked there was no chance of that happening. My guilty conscience worried me and I hated turnips more than ever. 

Valmai Brown (Taylor)

Speech nights end of year.. seniors always performed a play of Shakespeare..sub seniors usually a comedy play..in my sub senior year it was *A world without men*..hilarious!!!!

My Sister Bernadette and I were at MSB from 1962 to 1968.  We do have photos somewhere of us wearing the earlier uniforms that are shown in your group photo - but not that one; It may have been the following year.  I am not sure how often the photos were taken, but I do know we have the earlier shots of us wearing the pinafores.   I can still remember the changeover to the skirts... 

I still have my blazer from the early days, packed away - it is so tiny.  The chapel was built while we were students there, and Father Crane was the priest.  Mother Bridget (or Sister Mary Bridget), was the nun in charge of the dormitory, Sister Mary Martin was in charge of the students.  Sister Mary Gregory was ever-present and Sister Margaret Mary and Sister Mary Chanelle (not sure how the name is spelled), were also there.  They were all very special.  Sister Mary Joseph was my grade four teacher - and I won't say any more about her...  Sister Mary Joan was in charge of the dormitory for a while, and was not very well liked, I received many beatings from her....

The grade one to three classroom was a little structure which now, I believe, is at the Historical Village there. 
 

My sister, Bernie, & I visited MSB in 1978 when I was pregnant with my first child.  Sister Mary Bridget was there at the time and greeted us, remembering us from our time there as boarders, and showed us around. 

We have driven past the school a few times since, but have never stopped in.  So much has changed since we were there; it was a lifetime ago. 

My name is Bianka Vidonja Balanzategui. I was a student at MSB from 1965 to December 1969. I was 9 years old when I arrived at MSB in May in 1965. My mother had fallen ill and was hospitalized for the rest of 1965. My father, a cane cutter, had to shop for my uniform and needs. My coat was too big I recall and that upset Dad. Being a cane cutter’s daughter, I was adaptable as each season and slack meant different schools and locations so when I arrived at MSB I don’t remember crying or feeling particularly homesick. I recall our Dormitory supervisor as Sister Rita and she was gentle and lovely as was another lovely soul Sister Bernadette or ‘Bernie’ who I think worked in the kitchen or laundry. Sister Joseph, was our grade 4 teacher and Sister Josephine was my music teacher. I already had a great sense of history and so loved the little mining town in the mountains, reading all the old books by authors like Ion Idriess and Ernest Hemmingway. Yes, I was a precocious reader, finding threepences and other old artefacts in the soil around the College. I loved the moonlit Friday evenings when we went down to the bottom sportsground and sang old songs like The Road to Gundagai; picture nights in the old hall – I’ll never forget the night we watched Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations in black and white. So scary and atmospheric. Tuckshop on the weekend, when our purses were handed out and we ate Fisherman’s Friend cough lozenges like they were lollies. The fruit delivery by Mr Camp – who would have thought he would be one day my cousin’s father-in-law? The walks to Anniversary Falls – I think it was Sister Gregory who led us on those. The walkathon to Atherton – the sisters didn’t want me to do it because they thought I wouldn’t make it but I did! Reading Holy Books of a Sunday morning. The visits by the Pellegrini religious supplies store. We spent a ridiculous amount of our pocket money – the glow in the dark fluorescent statues being a particular winner. I still have my engraved serviette ring and use it every evening meal. Sweet rain water from the water tanks and golden syrup sandwiches and letter writing day. Watching the moon landing on the television – the only time we ever watched television in my time! I could go on and on. Luceat Lux Vestra was a powerful school motto and it and my years at MSB helped shape my life in the years that followed.

I spent 3 years at M.S.B. Grade 8 in 1969 to Grade 10 in 1971.

I have very mixed feelings about my time there. It was a very regimented life, very little free choice. We had to wear socks with our free dress on Sundays. Our letters were read going home and our incoming letters as well. I found the nuns very hard on us young girls, little sympathy or kindness. They were very tough years for me. On the bright side I made some wonderful friends and was able to have girls come stay at my home in Mareeba on our free weekends. I also traveled to PNG and stayed in Port Moresby and Lae.

I did love the school choir. I also remember being in Cairns for the production of the Passion Play and it rained so hard we had trouble getting back to school and got home in the early hours of the morning and we got to have a sleep in. I remember doing our 'charges' and trying not to get caught talking to other girls. Sports day was fun and I was on St. Joseph's team, but was hopeless at sport! Our school productions were also a happy time and I had roles in My Fair Lady, and the Ned Kelly story.

The one nun who showed me kindness was Sister Mary Chanel. I was lucky to get the chance to tell her that a few years ago at the Tennis in Melbourne.

I will always have a part of M.S.B in me, it shaped who I am today.

Again I'm so grateful for the friends I have from those days.
100 years is certainly worth celebrating.
Lisa Bacon-Hall

Thank you to all who have put the website together.  Definitely a big thank you to all of the Sisters of Mercy who enabled me to gain a Year 11 and 12 educaation to be followed by tertiary education. My maiden name was Daphne Mc Donald and  I was at MSB from 1964 - 1966 for year 11 (sub Senior) and 12 (Senior) and my mother attended for a very short time in the 1920's.  I am originally from Mossman and I repeated Senior as I was very young for Year 12 and I was on a Commonwealth Scholarship.  My time at MSB was a privilege for me and enabled me to gain a Teacher's Scholarship and become a teacher. I still have my serviette ring and College Blazer.  It has been awesome to be able to read the written contributions and view the images on the website. Luceat Lux Vestra still appears to be occuring.  Thank you.

At a time when there was no option for daughters of Tableland and nearby environs farmers to go to high school--Mt St Bernard boarding was the place to go.
My time was from 1963 to 1966--from Grade 9 to Grade 12--doing my Junior and Senior public exams.
I was of the last of the Grade 8 Scholarship cohort in primary School, in my case Dimbulah primary School.
My recollections include the bitter cold of winter in huge high ceilinged dormitories-wearing all my layers of day underwear beneath my pyjamas to keep warm over night.

During my years there we swapped from the 3 pleat black serge uniform over a white blouse to a pleated grey skirt with the same blouse. We would change into our fine check pale blue sports frock in the afternoons after school. I remember the sports days, at Wondecla. The picnics at the Wild river-where we coped with snakes! The Speech Nights in the Town Hall and other events in the school hall- including dances with St Augustine's boys.
The daily routine-5.30 up, study and then to Mass, followed by doing our 'chores' and Breakfast- followed by school classes-Morning tea and the ubiquitous plum or treacle sandwiches. Afternoon tea include us raiding our fruit lockers, which were just down from the shoe lockers. Sports were followed by dinner--the 6 girls per table with the meticulously divided pat of butter and as much bread as you could hungrily eat. Study after dinner-the higher the year, the later you could stay downstairs to study. The showers were out of hot water if you were the last!
The post breakfast morning "Sermon" by the Sister in Charge,on the stairs beside the Study hall, was always interesting--various misdemeanours and misbehaviours were noted, punishments for the whole school dispensed accordingly--silence at meals because clothes lockers were left untidy was one I recollect. Annoying at the time.
In my time, all the teachers were Mercy Sisters, in full habit, and they were a series of often very different characters--their era has passed but their legacy survives.

I spent 3 years at M.S.B. Grade 8 in 1969 to Grade 10 in 1971.
I have very mixed feelings about my time there. It was a very regimented life, very little free choice. We had to wear socks with our free dress on Sundays. Our letters were read going home and our incoming letters as well. I found the nuns very hard on us young girls, little sympathy or kindness. They were very tough years for me. On the bright side I made some wonderful friends and was able to have girls come stay at my home in Mareeba on our free weekends. I also traveled to PNG and stayed in Port Moresby and Lae.
I did love the school choir. I also remember being in Cairns for the production of the Passion Play and it rained so hard we had trouble getting back to school and got home in the early hours of the morning and we got to have a sleep in. I remember doing our 'charges' and trying not to get caught talking to other girls. Sports day was fun and I was on St. Joseph's team, but was hopeless at sport! Our school productions were also a happy time and I had roles in My Fair Lady, and the Ned Kelly story.
One nun who showed me kindness was Sister Mary Chanel.
I was lucky to get the chance to tell her that a few years ago at the Tennis in Melbourne.
I will always have a part of M.S.B in me, it shaped who I am today.
Again I'm so grateful for the friends I have from those days.
100 years is certainly worth celebrating.

 

Diary Excerpts MSB 1971

The following are excerpts from a students diary who was boarding at MSB in 1971.

23^rd February 1971

Got up early again this morning. Wash-up and music practice as usual. The Bishop was here today and we had a really beautiful Mass. We all received the Body & Blood od Christ and sang modern hymns. At 1.30pm the Bishop presented prefects with badges. The ceremony was beautiful. Also, Annette was presented with the Past Pupil’s bursary. Dale’s mother was up as she is in the PP Committee. We won sports this afternoon. It was really wonderful. Lynnie and I received a letter from Gail tonight. It was very lovely. We all had a wonderful time at the dance tonight. The Bishop was over too when we had a drink. Eight of us served. It was really terrific. Also, Bessie was up this morning for dancing.

 

24^th February 1971

Ash Wednesday today. The Bishop celebrated Mass and blessed the ashes. Had a lesson this morning. Usual school day. Cooking for home science, Stations of the Cross and singing and music practice tonight as usual.

27^th March 1971

Today is Mum & Dad’s 17^th Wedding Anniversary. Hope it is a wonderful day for them. Carmel, Margaret and I did Dining Room 1 charge today. It was terrific fun working together. Everyone went to Mass this morning for Mrs Godfrey, whose funeral is this afternoon at 4. It has been pretty fine so far, and we hope the weather remains that way. Unexpectedly, I went to the funeral. It was sad and lovely. We went to Atherton in Father Flynn’s car. Father Flynn is a very nice person. He even shouted usa milkshake on the way home! The picture we had tonight “The Horizontal Sergeant” was alright. Feeling very tired we then went to bed. PS Other films were also “The Sea”, and “How different animals see.”

30^th March 1971

Mass and music lesson. Had a terrific dancing lesson as usual. Day has been fine. We won sports and it was a wonderful game. The Bishop was up to visit Sister Mary Josephine and some of her brothers and sisters were here to see her. It must be a wonderful day for her, very exciting and thrilling -knowing Sister! We had singing practice tonight.

27^th June 197

Sunday Mass. Usual activities, except we didn’t have YCS. Lena and Lynnie returned. Mum and Dad sent up a few Colleen and I asked Sister Mary Ursula about getting the Children of Mary started up, and we’re going to have a go at it!

3^rd July 1971

Mass. Today is the dance, and there have been preparations galore. Hari-dos, etc. etc. We had early baths, tea and rosary and then got ready. The fashion parade was okay, although all were a little nervous. Everybody looked really nice. The dance was quite enjoyable. The band was good and supper was beautifully served by Sister and the girls, thanks to them.

4^th July 1971

It was a big day today – our sport’s day with St Monica’s. We had to get up quite early, 5.40am, Mass and then we travelled to Cairns, some of us by cars and some by buses. Mr Rossi was up in the morning and we had a good trip down the Gillies, except for poor Annie who was sick for most of the way! I went home on the way, and we then left for Cairns. Mum, Dad and the kids all seem fine. The day went well – even though we lost it was good. Gail was there and I met some of the St Monica’s Girls – they are really very nice. After the sports we went home, picked up Terry and came back to college. We arrived back okay. Lynnie didn’t return as she was sick. Bath and bed.

16^th July 1971

Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel and we had Children of Mary. It has been quite a big day. First of all, the photographers came and took photos, everything went well. Was on washup because of irregular meals, but it was fun. Then this afternoon we had a fire drill and everything went well. The fireman talked to us for a while. We are going to have it at night one of these days, and at least one practice a month which is good. Choir at night and study.

24^th July 1971

Today is Gloria’s birthday and God grant her a happy day. We got up early and went to Mass. Gloria and I took up the gifts. Maria and Gerry read the prayers and Antionetta read the epistle. It was the really first cold day we’ve had for ages. There was even frost. Carmel, Annette and the other kids have been really great with the fete preparations. We played basketball against St Josephs’ and although we lost, it was a very good game. The Fete went really great.

25^th July 1971

We had an 8.00am sleep in this morning and it was really great. It has been a wack of a day! Letter writing, and straight after, a few of us went to be guides for the Cross Country. That went really fine. Lunch, then Sister Mary Pious’s shop was opened. Mum and Dad came to visit, then baths and Mass at 5.00pm, tea and study. Tennis was played at night but I couldn’t go. Colleen and I did some typing for Sr Mary Helen.

26^th July 1971

Talk about cold!! It’s like a frost refrigerator! There was a sleep-in but I got up to try to study.

2^nd August 1971

Sport’s Day and Music exams!!! Early wake up and Mass. Then the traditional events. Maria gave me a badge and it’s so beautiful. Music went really rotten. I didn’t enjoy it at all. Mr Schuch took us to Wondecla. It was the most wonderful day, even though Patricks didn’t win – joeys won marching and all. Gloria and I walked back with Sister Mary De Lourdes. There was a dance at night and some other activities. A few of us went to the music rooms and it was fun.

A Boarder Reminisces

 

Our parents decide that it would be best

At boarding school – our independence to test –

To complete our education

Before we found our adult life’s station.

 

So, with suitcases packed

And with nervousness racked

We made our first journey towards a school on the hill.

I remember the feeling of dreadful excitement still.

 

We waved our parents goodbye

With a tearful eye

Then entered a world strange and new.

Strict customs and rules but new friendships too.

No talking at mealtimes, the refectory quiet

Until the sound of a gong.

To bed at a set time, even if we weren’t tired

Then up with the early bird song.

 

Remember those mornings when in our cosy beds we lay?

That persistent bell ringer would not go away.

In the Herberton winter the taps went to ice;

Even a drop of hot water would have sufficed!

 

Saturday morning was a bit of an exception;

We’d polish the basins til we saw our reflection.

We had charges to do to earn our keep –

From our one precious sleep-in we’d eagerly leap

It was good training for our present-day chores;

The Nuns certainly knew what we had in store!

 

On Sunday morning, dressed up to the nines,

Woollen skirts, stockings, hats, gloves and striped ties;

We’d march to St Patrick’s in single file

To Mass, and perhaps to dream of home for a while.

 

After school every day we had plenty of fruit,

A habit that the town’s shopkeepers must have thought beaut.

Then there were sports teams A, B and C.

A place for everyone there had to be.

St Augustine’s, St Patrick’s, St Bernard’s, St Joe’s,

Fierce was the rivalry, but friendly the foes.

 

At last, the school sports day would finally come round;

For the whole month before, our feet didn’t touch the ground.

There were special badges to make and hats to wear –

The planning and excitement were almost too much to bear!

Those days at Wondecla gave us memories to last,

And plenty to talk about once sports day was past.

 

Feast days were special, St Patrick’s Day was great;

Instead of rice pudding (that we all seemed to hate),

We had bacon at breakfast and ice-cream at lunch,

And boiled lollies so sweet to take with us to munch.

 

Sometimes we left the secure grounds of our MSB,

For a trip to the falls, the town hall, or a concert to see.

A visit to the chemist, the unique Mr Smye,

Was like taking a very long walk back in time.

Those precious excursions to town were fun.

But up Penance Hill no one could run.

 

In third term, as Speech Night drew near,

From the Concert Hall you could clearly hear

Voices raised in song – oh how we practiced long.

In order to give the MSB song our all,

Sr Maureen urged the choir to stand tall;

And leaving nothing to chance, we had pineapple to eat –

A sure guarantee to make girls’ voices sing sweet.

 

As the jacarandas bloomed in September

Our thoughts turned to exams that loomed in November.

After exams there was much packing and cleaning –

By the last day of school, the whole place was gleaming.

What joy we felt as the cars began arriving,

Knowing that soon down the range we’d be driving.

 

It seems like only yesterday that we all said goodbye,

But it’s been twenty years now, I realise with a sigh.

Do you, like I, remember this place,

With so many a friendly face?

Do, like I, remember those days,

In all these different ways?

 

Joan Carbonne (Puleo)

1969 – 1972

 

Written for the 20^th Anniversary Reunion 1990

Of the Past Students 1968 - 1972

MEMORIES - late 1960s and early 1970s

Jacaranda Trees in bloom – at exam time
Always having our mail read – coming in and going out
Bone chilling cold in winter
Not being allowed to wear trousers to keep warm
Stapling newspaper to skirts to keep warm
Taking back a blanket to wrap around you
Getting up so early
Standing at the top of the stairs on detention
Standing in the Study Hall on detention
Getting the cane!!!
Collecting washing from the laundry HOT HOT HOT
Changing from sandshoes to sandals after sports & tying socks together & putting them into the buckets to soak
The smell of the fruit lockers
Fruit lockers inspections
Collecting fruit bags from the table tennis tables on Tuesdays
Setting tables
Filling the salt
Cleaning silver
Making beds to hospital standards
Life ruled by the bell
Seniors at head of table in the dining room
Eating more and more bread if it was fresh [and if there was real butter – not marge]
Having to cut up the bread into tiny little squares!!
And the smell of the hot bread wafting out to us
The liver that turned green that we had dished up to us
Cleaning shoes on Saturday morning
The Pius Shop

The little Holy Cards we used to buy
Writing letters [and having them scrutinized! Then told to rewrite as not acceptable for Mum to be told I was continually getting the cane.]
Anne Daley and myself cleaning the gutters of the new building after a storm. [and getting nice and wet & muddy]
Picking fluff from between the floorboards in the dormitories for the big clean up just before going home for holidays.  Apparently there is carpet upstairs now!!
Going on the train to Ravenshoe, so we could get out of school a few hours early.
Taking music so I could get out of study in the evenings.
Reading religious books on Sunday mornings in reading time
Going for Sunday walks, just to get out of the place
Petticoat inspection
Kneeling down for skirt length inspections
Ordering cucumbers as  part of fruit order in year 12


DORMITORIES

GOOD COUNSEL     off the Study Hall Verandah to the right
DIVINE INFANT         over the dining rooms
OUR LADY over the Study Hall
SACRED HEART over Good Counsel
BRIGIDS   over the kitchen area – had steps up to the bathroom
COOLOCK row of beds at the back of possibly nuns quarters. Had the tinea bath  - the only bath tub in the place
BERNARDS seniors and subs dormitory over the music rooms and science laboratory

TEAMS
BERNARD’S
AUGUSTINE’S
JOSEPH’S
PATRICK’S
In November 1967, Mum took me to Wiemers Clothing store in Atherton to buy uniforms for MSB.  So many different things were needed.  We also bought a green cardboard kind of port, along with a new sheet to put inside the port which was then used to carry all the items up stairs to the dormitory – ports were left downstairs and were stored in the dungeon.  We also bought a brown school port.  She then ordered Cash’s Name tags, which came in our weekly mail service.
Mum then spent many, many hours sewing name tags on to every single item. Still have some of those items!

I, Mrs Mary-ann Faulks(nee Di Mauro), started college year in 1972 & finished in 74 I think, I wasn't very bright to succeed through college but I did fine. I loved going bush walking & loved excursions, art, & sports day. That's about it. There's one thing I like to tell you I have a fobia of tall stairs.

I stayed at MSB for one brief school year in 1989. During this time, I always felt I was going back in time to the 50s and 60s. It was quite magical for me.

I stayed at MSB for one brief school year in 1989. During this time, I always felt I was going back in time to the 50s and 60s. It was quite magical for me.

I was at MSB in 1983 and 1984 with a heap of girls from Dimbulah so it was easy to settle in. What made MSB were the friendships, everyone supported each other and there were always lots of hugs.
The idea of rotating seniors for a week at each dining room table was a great one as in year 12 you got to know everyone.
Someone took the morning wakeup bell in 1983 and the older Sister Pat  then took to waking us up with the banging of a wooden spoon on a saucepan until the bell was returned.
In 1983 and 1984 the girls cleaned the school first thing when we got up in the morning before brekky.
The 2 school dances in a year were fun except we had to obey the 3 feet rule.
Our 2 nights biology trip in year 11 to Malanda Falls was the worst excursion ever as it constantly rained!
We always looked forward to receiving letters from family each night after dinner though I think it was called tea.
We all learnt how to use a commercial dishwasher through our 2 weekly stints washing dishes in the kitchen.Everyone loved the late Sister Barty, she was the kindest soul and would always give us hot milk and pepper to help with period pain!
The late Sister Margaret was tough and ran a tight ship. On our free weekends she would always tell us before we left to not take our stockings and ties off when we left the grounds. As we got on the bus heading out of the grounds we'd do a 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 countdown and as soon as we were out of the gates off the stockings and ties would go!
Thanks to the young Sister Pat and Ozzie (her dog) the school had the best Choir. The rock masses with the choir and band were truly fabulous.
We'd participate in the St Vinnies Doorknock which was one of the rare times we could leave the school.
Loved the Sundays when my parents and family would visit and we'd spend the Sunday afternoon in Wondecla.
The year 12 retreat at Tinaroo Dam was the best and I still have the little words of encouragement we wrote each other.
The two years at MSB did fly past but the most cherished memories are of the friendships and the girls  - we were each others rocks. Thanks for the memories MSB. To do this day I ways ask my family at the table does anyone mind if I have that last piece of toast 

Linda Medic (nee Lovrincevic)

MSB MEMORIES 1990-1994

I attended MSB as a full boarder from 1990-1994.  Back then, it was still run by the Sisters Of Mercy.

We arrived at the beginning of year 8, which in those days was the first year of high school.  All of the dormitories were up on the third floor, with the exception of Good Counsel, which was located on the second floor of Sacred Heart Building. Sacred Heart Building has since been demolished. Years 8,9 and 10 slept in communal dormitories – Year 8 slept in Divine Infant – which is now classrooms M17 – M20. Year 8 also slept in Good Counsel, which, in 1991, became a second common room for the boarders to watch movies and TV on the weekends. Year 9 slept in Our Lady’s and Our Lady’s Verandah, which is now classrooms M21 – M23, and year 10s slept in Coolock – now classrooms M14-M15.  They also slept in Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart Verandah, which no longer exists. This building used to stand between Mercy Building and Bernards building. Year 11 and 12 had their own personal cubicles; year 11 slept in Bridgets, which is now classroom M16, and they also slept in Lower Bernards, which was located on the second floor of the Bernards building. Year 12 slept in Top Bernards, which was on the top floor of the Bernards building, and selected year 12s were also “Heads” of the dormitories of the younger grades; traditionally there were 2 year 12’s per year 8-11 dormitory.

In years 8-10, in the communal dorms, you were allocated a bed with an overhead locker to store books and letter writing stationery. You were allocated 2 shelves in the large closets at the back of the dorm to store your personal clothing, and all uniforms were hung in a communal cupboard just outside the dorms.

M11 – M13, M24 and the bottom floor administration and staff rooms, were the inner sanctum of the convent, and students were not allowed to enter under any circumstances. This rule was respected at all times and nobody ever considered a sneaky sightseeing trip into the convent; it was universally understood and respected that the convent was the nuns’ home and to go there would be trespassing. 

As can be expected, the nuns were very strict. A typical weekday would be:

Wake Up (we were usually woken by a singing nun)                         7.00am

Get ready for school                                                                      7.00- 7.25am

Morning Charge (allocated cleaning of dorms / toilets etc)                 7.25-7.45am

Breakfast                                                                                      7.45 – 8.10am

Clean up from breakfast, wash up, free time till school starts             8.10 – 8.40am

School                                                                                          8.40 – 3.30pm

Afternoon tea / free time                                                                3.30 – 4.15pm

Organised sports                                                                            4.15 – 5.10pm

Showers / free time                                                                         5.10 – 6.10pm

Dinner                                                                                            6.10 – 6.30pm

Free time / piano practice                                                                6.30 – 7.00pm

Study                                                                                            7.00 – 9.30pm

Bed                                                                                                9.30pm

On weekends, we had a little less structure, but we were also still obligated to attend to our chores and study. For full boarders, weekends were usually spent sitting outside in the grounds, or in one of the TV rooms watching tv shows that the nuns had taped for us on the VCR during the week.  We attended church Saturday night, and watched a movie afterward. 

All cleaning of dormitories, ablution blocks, dining room, kitchen and classrooms was done by the students. Rotating rosters were in place to ensure everyone had their turn scrubbing the dishes and sweeping the dorms. Mealtimes, activities, and all events were run with a strict time limit and with military precision. Keeping 180 teenage girls on the straight and narrow was no mean feat, but the nuns managed it with little fuss.

We did have a few reminders of the comforts of home: the nuns owned a number of cats and dogs, who roamed around the yard, the classrooms and the TV rooms, much to the delight of the girls. The dogs in particular were often seen cuddling underneath piles of blankets and teenage girls on a cold winter’s day. The nuns also ensured that our physical and mental needs were being met, with many bushwalks, trips to Wild River and weekend bus rides to Lake Eacham filling up our weekends when we were away from our own families.

During my time, we were cared for by only a handful of nuns. Sr Mary Anthony was the principal, and Sr Catherine was in charge of the boarders. There would have been only half a dozen other nuns who supervised and caretook the girls. To have so few nuns in charge of so many girls, with very little incident, was an admirable feat on their part, and a credit to their vocation. For our part, the respect that the nuns demanded of us (and that we gave with little resistance) ensured that our years at MSB were full of learning opportunities for life skills, a distinct knowledge and understanding for respecting those in charge, and the building of lifelong friendships and appreciation for what we learned as boarders, under the care of the Mercy Sisters. 

The Mercy Sisters had a reputation for being formidable and unrelenting, and for the most part, they were. But this demeanour made them champions of their calling, teaching generation after generation of young women how to be tough, resilient, independent and self sufficient in a world that was, and still is, dominated by men. In every situation and circumstance, they just got the job done, through minimal fuss and fanfare. Consequences for straying from the orders of the nuns resulted in a swift and often brutal punishment. It taught us to never try those shenanigans again. The life lessons we learned from these women, are lessons that I put into practice every single day of my life, from caring for our things, to caring for ourselves and each other. The school motto – Luceat Lux Vestra – let your light shine – is as relevant to me today as it was back then.

I’m not sure anyone could put a price on the value of knowledge the Sisters of Mercy instilled upon young women during their time at the helm of MSB, and nor would anyone want to. Their contribution to the lives of so many of us is invaluable. I am so grateful for my time at MSB as a student, and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to put some of that knowledge of the Mercy traditions into practice when I came back here to work as a Learning Support Officer. Working here, particularly in the centenary year, has reminded me just what a special place MSB is.

Benita Cairns (nee Warner)

Student 1990-1994