Celebrating 150 years of women’s education

IT is nearly 150 years since Loreto Abbey Mary’s Mount, now known as Loreto College Ballarat, opened as a boarding school near Lake Wendouree.

Mother Gonzaga Barry and her nine companions arrived in Melbourne, and later Ballarat, in May 1875 after an invitation from the Bishop to establish a school for girls.

Loreto Abbey Mary’s Mount was founded along with Loreto Dawson Street, a day school for girls, as Mother Gonzaga Barry pursued her goal of ensuring a broad education for women.

Dawson Street Day School and Mary’s Mount were amalgamated in 1978 before the Dawson Street campus closed in 2007.

Technology and health teacher Kerri Loader has been at Loreto for more than 40 years, and said it is the history and culture that makes the school special.

“The word respect is embedded in [Loreto culture] and just how respectful people are with each other and the buildings,” she said.

“Whatever role a person has within the school, there is an opportunity for everyone to be involved in a broad range of activities and to work with others in groups.

“I have found this gives a person a sense of purpose, the feeling of being valued and supported along with the opportunity to develop connections with others.”

One of Mother Gonzaga Barry’s goals when she founded the school was to replace the original, temporary chapel on site.

Construction began in 1898 before it was halted due to insufficient funds.

That same year, Countess Elizabeth Wolff-Metternich attended Mary’s Mount as a parlour-boarder and wanted to enter the convent with the blessing of her family.

The Countess died on her way back to Germany to settle her affairs, and left a bequest to the chapel which allowed construction to continue.

The chapel was opened in 1902 and still stands on the site today.

Mother Gonzaga Barry died at Mary’s Mount on 4 March 1915 and is buried on-site in the small garden cemetery.

The Loreto tradition, which is inspired by Mother Gonzaga Barry, has grown to six Loreto schools in Australia, along with Bayview College in Portland and Perth’s John XXIII College.

Year 12 student Mia McTigue is following the tradition of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who also attended Loreto.

She said it is inspiring to think back to the story of Mother Gonzaga Barry 150 years ago.

“It’s pretty cool how it all started and how much it’s grown, and you hear so many stories of past pupils who come in and talk about all their successes,” Mia said.

“It makes everyone so grateful for the opportunities they’ve been given.”

Members of the Loreto College Ballarat community, past and present, are invited to celebrate the anniversary with an open garden event, travelling exhibition, past pupil reunions and a cocktail gala evening tomorrow, Saturday 1 March.

“For whatever time a person has been part of Loreto, they have their own personal experiences and memories of the school and the people within,” Ms Loader said.

“Coming together to celebrate as a community acknowledges that gift of Loreto education.”

To purchase tickets, visit events.humanitix.com/lcb150yearevents .