Our 2019 St Johns & St Josephs Reunion was again held on Saturday 2nd March at the girls orphanage at Kenmore, St Josephs. Although numbers were down slightly on previous reunions, it was still a good roll-up with around 90 old boys and girls attending with family and friends. This year there were a lot of issues with mail invitations not being delivered and about 30 “return to sender”. Plus, not all email invitations were received, so all things considered it was a good turn up. Including a good result from the wider region of NSW, we had people travel from Western Australia, Brisbane Melbourne and Tasmania. A lot of new faces that made this their first reunion and, like those before, were amazed at the refurbishment work that Maggie and Darryl Patterson are doing to the old building. Maggie … Read More »

Dear fellow Old Boys, Girls, family members and friends.

Our last Reunion in March 2017 was held in the grounds of St Josephs at Kenmore. This was due to the incredible hospitality from Darryl and Maggie Patterson the owners of the St. Josephs. Our reunion was a major success with approximately 100 old boys and girls with family holding a “picnic” in the front grounds. With age or illness creeping up on many of us, the turn up was extraordinary. It was agreed by all that it was a wonderful reunion and maybe one of our best! Many old girls returning to St Joseph’s for the first time had mixed emotions but all said they were glad they came. Like the girls, we had some old boys from St. John’s make a reunion for the first time.

The good news, Maggie and … Read More »

JUST off Taralga Road down a bumpy driveway, hidden behind rows of trees, the former St Joseph’s Girls Home long stood empty and forgotten.

On Thursday, the chatter of children echoed through the hallways once again, as some 60 young volunteers pitched in with painting, gardening and general tidy up.

Read more from the original article here…

Share this:

Share this:

The painting that used to hang in the dining room at St. John’s Orphanage for many years went missing at or just before it’s closure nearly 40 years ago. It recently was discovered in the garage of Horton Willoughby’s home in Ballina. Horton (Fred) sadly passed away just a few weeks ago and his family discovered it in his garage.The painting was assumed lost forever or destroyed by vandals when St John’s closed.So we can now claim that Horton Willoughby saved it. The painting is being “restored” and a digital image is now available in A4 size to any old boy or family member. Please use the contact section of this website to place an order. Horton’s grandaughter is now the owner of the painting and gladly made it available for all to see at our recent Reunion in Goulburn.

Share … Read More »

By LOUISE THROWER

PURPOSE: Maggie and Darryl Patterson have plans to establish an ‘intentional community’ in the Christian tradition at the former St Joseph’s House of Prayer on Taralga Rd. They exchanged contracts on the building in May.

THE grief of losing their daughter to a genetic heart condition last year hardened a local couple’s resolve to help the community.

Darryl and Maggie Patterson purchased the former St Joseph’s House of Prayer on Taralga Rd four months ago.

Their dream is to transform it into a “contemporary monastery” or intentional community in the Christian tradition.

The charitable organisation would also focus on social action, such as raising awareness of women in slavery overseas and of children in orphanages.

But there are also plans to partner with local churches and agencies, delivering social programs, including a youth group and plugging other ‘gaps.’ The couple, who moved from … Read More »

Way back in 1950 Mark was a winner of the trophy. But, as a boy in St John’s Orphanage, if you won a trophy then it stayed in St. Johns. When the orphanage closed in the 1970’s it was feared all memorabilia was lost. And, sadly in
most cases it has been. Just recently prior to a reunion in Young and with the good grace of the Sisters we were able to obtain some of these trophies that have been “held in trust” in Canberra.

Mark was a very accomplished boxer winning many fights in the region while at St John’s and started to develop a reputation as a very keen hard hitting boxer. On leaving St John’s he ended up in Sydney where he started training again. This move of fighting in the “big smoke” eventually got him selection on the Melbourne Olympic Boxing Team as a reserve.

Mark is overjoyed and quietly … Read More »

Share this:

Sadly, Sister Madeleine passed away peacefully in her sleep at 8.30PM on Sunday 16th June. Sister was 110 years of age.

Her funeral will be held at  St Mary’s  Church in Young on Monday 24th June at 10.30AM

Share this:

A POEM FOR SISTER MADELEINE

“Here’s to a Sister, a beautiful lady too

Who means so much to us all

Who puts the welcome mat at the door

For us when we choose to call

She has a keen interest in what we say

Loves to know all that we do

Though it seems 110 can be very old

You’re one that’s young at heart

And while you have lead a busy life

In our lives too you played a part

You were always the one who cared for us

You’re witty and warm and so wise

You watched us, the whole St John’s crew

Success or failure you saw us through

You picked us up when we had a fall

In fact you’re the best Sister of all

So today we are wishing you

A birthday that’s the happiest yet

With cake and candle and don’t forget

Those who care for you all gathered around

To say that in life … Read More »

BRUCE CAMPBELL’S  TIME AT ST JOHN’S ORPHANAGE

I was eight years old when I went to the Orphanage. It was in September 1938 when my mother was forced to send me and my two brothers Don and Colin there. We were too much for  her, the final straw was breaking windows in the Parish Hall using catapults. We stayed at the Orphanage until war ceased in 1945.

Mother Superior at St Johns was Sister Ligouri. A very nice lady. Other teachers were Sister Genevieve who taught the infants, she also taught drama and music to all the pupils.  Sister Madeleine taught me for two years. I had to repeat sixth grade as I was too young to go to High School. I remember doing Algebra during the second year which gave me a good start … Read More »

I’m Only an Orphan Lad

I often look back on my childhood
My parents put me away in an orphanage
To me it felt like a cage
They left me feeling angry, sad and alone
I often tried to escape and go home
Bewildered, bitter and cold to the bone
And wondered, if I was good or bad
For I had become an orphan lad

There were times when I would shout and yell
It could be no worse in “hell”
Rudely awakened at every dawn
Still feeling forgotten and forlorn
Told to get dressed and fall into line
To do as I was told and I’d be fine

I would be given many a task to do
Wash that floor, clean that loo
I’d march to the sound of a bell
Then stand back in line, half asleep
Still feeling cold, I’d quietly weep
With a “clip of the ear”, told … Read More »

Reunions have been held several times over many years. Gatherings in parks and clubs have provided an opportunity for old friends to catch up and renew acquaintances. Sister Genevieve was a great supporting of inviting back old boys to St. Johns during her long posting at the home.

Share this: