News

Hundred-year-old convent to be reopened

By Eileen Day

Dec 18, 2025

The Mathoura Catholic convent will be re-dedicated on its 100th birthday.

The date of January 10 is becoming even more exciting for members of Mathoura’s Catholic community, with part of its history also being acknowledged.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

This year it will mark the centenary of St Brigid’s Convent which, by chance, was officially opened on January 10, 1926 — 100 years ago.

The building was home to 33 nuns of the Mercy Order over a period of 40 years. They also taught at the Catholic primary school.

The convent and school were valuable parts of the local community until 1963.

The convent has been restored over the past three years and has become ‘home’ for Fr Terence Mary Naughtin, who serves as chaplain for the nuns at the Carmel of Elijah Monastery.

To mark the special birthday, a centennial celebration will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 10.

It will involve the blessing and reopening of the old convent, along with the unveiling of a centenary plaque to acknowledge the event by Most Reverend Columba Macbeth Green, Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes.

The event will be open to everyone and organisers would like to hear from people who have photographs or other memorabilia associated with the convent that could be displayed on the day

Refreshments will be served at the RSL hall to wrap up proceedings on the day. Organisers would appreciate any donations of food to assist.