Dominican Sisters Melbourne mark 100 years of service
The Dominican Sisters have marked a century of presence and ministry in Melbourne, commemorating the arrival of the first four pioneer sisters in August 1926.
More than 200 parishioners, local religious, past and current staff, alumni, family members and friends gathered at St Dominic’s Church in Camberwell on Sunday 9 August for a Mass of Thanksgiving followed by a celebratory gathering at Siena College. The Prioress, Sr Mary-Clare Holland OP, and Sr Judith Lawson OP of the leadership team from Sydney were present for the occasion. Fr Dominic Murphy OP, Prior Provincial, was the main celebrant of the Mass and was joined by fellow Dominicans Fr Paul Rankin and Fr Kevin Toomey. Staff and students from Siena College led the music for the liturgical celebration.
It was a joy-filled occasion for the five senior sisters who continue to live and minister in Camberwell, ‘standing on the shoulders’ of the many sisters who have served in Victoria over the past 100 years.
The Dominican Sisters arrive in Melbourne
The Dominican Friars established St Dominic’s Priory in Camberwell in 1923, when the parish was still newly formed. They then approached the Dominican Sisters in New South Wales to join them and take responsibility for the parish primary school, which had been established in 1925.
The cover of the opening booklet for the Thanksgiving Mass marking the Dominican Sisters 100 years in Melbourne.On 12 August 1926, four pioneer sisters arrived from Sydney, accompanied by the Congregation Leader, Mother Mary Philippa. Sisters from Ireland had founded the congregation in Maitland, NSW, in 1867, and established a number of local foundations but had not yet ventured across state borders.
Two days after their arrival in Victoria, the sisters took up residence in a small two-bedroom cottage. At the request of the then-Provincial, Fr Powell, it was named Siena Convent, reflecting his strong ties with Siena Convent in Ireland and the significance of Siena in Italy as the birthplace of St Catherine of Siena.
The cottage was later demolished when a new convent was erected in 1939.
On 30 August 1926, the sisters took over St Dominic’s parish school, located at the rear of the Priory, looking after its 28 pupils. The new primary school opened in November 1939, the same year Siena Convent was blessed and opened.
A century of Dominican education and ministry
Siena College welcomed its first students on 2 February 1940, with an enrolment of 15. Today the school is home to more than 600 students.
The sisters established St Mary’s Delgany in Portsea, a school for hearing impaired children, in 1948. St Mary’s Delgany relocated to Melbourne in 1983.
Over the past 100 years, many Dominican Sisters have served in these schools, exercising leadership and contributing more broadly to Catholic education across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
The Melbourne Domincan Sisters, as they celebrate 100 years in Camberwell.
While the sisters are no longer directly involved in the governance of their educational institutions, their educational mission continues. In 2016, Dominican Education Australia was established as a Ministerial Public Juridic Person by the Vatican and now serves as the governing body for the schools.
Dominican sisters remained in residence at Siena until 1991, when the community relocated to Compton Street. The former convent then became part of the school complex.
Dominican Sisters continue their ministry in Melbourne
Education has been the primary legacy of the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands, but their ministry in Melbourne has extended beyond the classroom.
As needs arose, they became involved in parish work, interfaith dialogue, spiritual direction, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), hospital chaplaincy and adult deaf education. Their service has reflected the Dominican tradition of preaching the Gospel, seeking truth and responding generously to the needs of the Church and the wider community.
The centenary celebration brought together the many people whose lives have been touched by the Dominican presence in Melbourne.
The Mass of Thanksgiving and gathering at Siena College offered an opportunity to remember the four sisters who arrived in 1926, as well as the many women who followed them and served through education, parish ministry and other forms of pastoral care.
Looking to the next 100 years
As the Dominican Sisters look to the future, the community of five in Melbourne continues to be a presence in Camberwell, grateful for the legacy entrusted to them and for the many people who have shared in the Dominican mission over the past 100 years.
The Dominican Sisters’ Centenary Celebration at Siena College. Pictured from left to right: Sr Anne Ryan OP (Class of 1968), Sr Mary-Clare Holland OP (Prioress, Present), Sr Joan Winter OP (Class of 1954), Sr Margaret Mary Brown OP (Principal, 1992-1994), Sr Julianna Drobik OP (Class of 1973), Sr Margaret Fields OP (Class of 1954), Sr Kathleen Murphy OP, Sr Veronica Rosier OP (Class of 1969), Sr Judith Lawson OP (Prioress, 2010-2017).
A thanksgiving Mass to mark the Dominican Sisters’ Centenary Celebration was held at St Dominic’s Church, Camberwell.
A tapestry of St Dominic hangs on the wall behind the altar.
The celebration was attended by about 200 parishioners, local religious and past and current staff and alumni of St Dominic’s Primary School and Siena College.
Fr Dominic Murphy OP was the main celebrant of the Thanksgiving Mass.
A thanksgiving Mass to mark the Dominican Sisters’ Centenary Celebration was held at St Dominic’s Church, Camberwell.
This article was first published by Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and has been adapted and republished by EWTN Australia.
