Principal’s address and launch of 125 year celebrations
Good morning and welcome to this College Assembly.
You know I like to name things, so what would we call this assembly?
The assembly to launch our 125 year celebrations?
The assembly to celebrate 125 years of Mount Lilydale Mercy College?
The assembly to give thanks for 125 years of Service and Mercy here in Lilydale?
Well, perhaps all three.
Catherine McAuley was born on 29 September 1778 at Stormestown House in Dublin. Many years later on 24 September 1827, she opened her first house of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin. If you ever the chance to visit Baggott Street, you should, as you will find it interesting. Who would build a house to feed and educate the poor in such an exclusive area? On 8 September 1830, Catherine (and two companions) entered the convent of the Presentation Sisters. On 12 December 1831, Catherine and her companions professed their vows and now this day is celebrated as the ‘Foundation Day’ for the Sisters of Mercy.
In the 10 years following, before her death, 10 different Houses of Mercy were established by Catherine in Ireland and the UK. One such house was a foundation in Carlow, south of Dublin established on 11 April 1837. Carlow then sent a group to Wexford, who in turn sent a group to Carrick-on-Suir.
When gold was discovered in Gore, New Zealand, the Priest from there asked the Sisters from Carrick-on-Suir to establish a house and two Sisters travelled to do so, but found it untenable so they left. On the way home, they stopped in Melbourne and were invited to establish a house in Mansfield and, so, in 1891, they did.
In 1896, the Mansfield house sent a foundation here to Lilydale and at the same time, some Sisters came from the home community of Carrick-on-Suir. The chronology is:
- Catherine McAuley opens the first house of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin
- Carlow
- Wexford
- Carrick-on-Suir (our Mother house)
- Gore, New Zealand
- Mansfield
- Lilydale.
Our chronology. Our history.
So, a school opened in Lilydale in 1896, but was it on this hill? I think not.
On 10 January 1896, The Lilydale Express newspaper advertised that a primary school was to open and for those desirous of a high-class education, a secondary school would be opened in conjunction with it.
On Monday 18 January 1896, the school opened with the parochial school in the church (St Patrick’s) and the secondary school at the Convent, which was attached to the presbytery (I think). On that Monday, 46 students attended and it grew to 65 by the following week. The curriculum included English, French algebra, euclid, plain and fancy needlework as well as painting and music. A diverse and balanced curriculum, I think. Arrangements were made for a limited number of boarders.
Although religious instruction was to be taught, all denominations were welcome, with no religion being interfered with. The Sisters were very progressive.
In November 1896, a piece of land was secured for 160 pounds with the school to be placed on the summit of the ridgeline of the hill. To the north you could see the course of Olinda Creek, the farmlets surrounding it and the Yarra River and the township of Yarra Glen in the forefront of the Christmas Hills. That hill was this hill: Rourke’s Hill, and the College has been perched atop it since that very date.
The foundation stone for the Convent was laid by his Grace, the Archbishop of Melbourne, on 15 November 1896. That stone still sits in the foundation of Mount St Joseph, although it was originally called St Joseph’s Convent of Mercy.
I do imagine the Sisters standing on this very spot, dressed in their black habits, in the January heat and the work that was to follow. The task must have seemed insurmountable, but they placed their trust in God and started to work. No task that required their attention was too meagre. No task too hard. A ‘roll up your sleeves’ attitude prevailed.
The Convent thrived as a day and boarding school for young ladies in both primary and secondary school and in 1974 the enrolment was 339 girls. Many of the buildings you can see now simply did not exist. At that time there was nowhere near enough places for boys and Aquinas College (Ringwood) was overflowing. At the request of the Archdiocese, the Sisters answered the challenge and decided to become a co-educational high school. But finances were a problem as no funding was secured. The primary school was phased out, as was boarding (incidentally, the boarders slept on the balcony of the convent — imagine that in winter on the hill!) and on 4 February 1975 boys entered the newly-fashioned school. The enrolment totalled 144 boys and 339 girls for a school population of 483 students. A period of rapid growth began a huge building program and by 1985 the school population was 1017. As a matter of interest, our CENSUS figure this year was 1511 students.
The point is, the Sisters, supported by a professional teaching staff and a very supportive parent body, worked to build this College and we walk its proud tradition today because of them. They lived, worked and breathed Compassion and Mercy, highlighted by Service. It pleases me greatly that in our 125 years of existence, the Mercy value we highlight this year is one of Service.
The Sisters built this school, this College and this community on Service and we must honour them, and it, by asking how we can be of service to each other, how we can be of service to the local community, to the world and how we can be of service to the earth. Think globally, but act locally.
In finishing, this is a year to celebrate, this is a year to give thanks and this too is a year to look forward and to ask the question: how can we build a house of Mercy on Rourke’s Hill in 2021? Who and how must we serve?
In the spirit of Catherine,
In the tradition of Mercy,
In the value of Service,
May God bless each and every one of you.
Thank you.
