News

Old stories given new life in history book

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 12:38:00

Former St Joseph’s College student and teacher Patricia Riordan has spent the last year steeped in the people, places and events of the school’s 110-year history.

Mrs Riordan, who has been involved with the college for almost 60 years, has published the first written record of Catholic secondary education in Mildura.
The coffee table book, entitled Some Journeys Continue, will be launched on Sunday 19 February at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Mrs Riordan said each of the book’s 10 chapters presented evocative oral history, archival documents, snippets of college magazines, and images and photographs that sparked memories of times spent at St Joseph’s College.
She said the book also highlighted the careers and achievements of past students, and its chronological format would allow for future additions.
“The Sisters of Mercy initiated Catholic education in Mildura in 1906, and they worked extremely hard under trying living conditions, extremes of weather, financial difficulties, and a lack of transport to reach out to the needy in Sunraysia,” she said.
“The courage and initiative to purchase blocks of land, the dream to cement secondary Catholic education in Mildura, and the vision to strive no matter what, has succeeded for 110 years.
“Only a few Sisters of Mercy remain in the district, but the Mercy tradition is proudly upheld in the day to day running of St Joseph’s College.”
Mrs Riordan has first-hand information about many of the college’s significant people and events, having attended as a boarder in the 1960s, worked as a teacher for more than 40 years, and recently taken on the role of Heritage Officer.
Mrs Riordan said the new position was meant to be a quiet wind down to retirement, however, she has been busy compiling the book and setting up a Heritage Centre, which opened to the public in 2015.
“The displays of the changing habits of the Sisters of Mercy, the college uniform, technology, books and musical memorabilia provide a valuable, visual learning experience for Year 7 students, a meeting place for family and past-student reunions, and a point of interest for visitors,” she said.
“The sharing of stories and personal reflections that takes place at these gatherings almost inevitably extends the journey of discovery.”
Some Journeys Continue will be blessed by Reverend Father Michael McKinnon during 5pm mass on Sunday, and officially launched by past St Joseph’s College principal and current Vicar of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea Sister Annette Schneider, RSM. 
Mrs Riordan said a concert and afternoon tea would be held in the convent courtyard following the book release.
“The concert is reminiscent of the early days of the Sisters of Mercy in Mildura, when they held regular Sunday concerts showcasing their talents and those of their students,” she said.
“The parishioners offered small donations to attend the concerts, and this provided the basis for their financial survival.”
Signed books will be available for purchase after the mass, at the concert, and from Monday 20 February at the main office of St Joseph’s College on Twelfth Street, Mildura.