Foundation Community at Westbury, 1887

Monsignor Daniel Beechinor, on a visit to Bathurst, called at Perthville and asked for a community of Sisters for Launceston, Tasmania.  All volunteered, but the five chosen were Sisters M. Francis McCarthy (Ireland), 37 years; M. Patrick Nolan (Ireland), 60 years; M. Joseph Eather (New South Wales) 27 years; M. Stanislaus Doyle (Ireland), 25 years and M. Teresa Prendergast (Victoria) 21 years.

The intrepid little group, with the permission of the Bishop of Bathurst, Dr Quinn, departed for Tasmania, under the leadership of Sister M. Francis, carrying with them, it is said, nothing but a large statue of the Blessed Virgin.  En route, the Sisters stayed at Mount Street Convent where the inimitable Mother Mary MacKillop showed them every hospitality and encouraged them in their mission which seemed so far afield at the time.

When they arrived at Launceston on 24 May, 1887, they were met by the Presentation Sisters.  We can only guess at the momentary dismay that lay beneath their calm exterior when they found that the proposed residence was not available.  Accordingly Archdeacon Hogan invited them to make their foundation at Westbury, a small country town some thirty miles from Launceston.  There he placed a four-roomed cottage at their disposal.  This the Sisters called “Emmaus” and rejoiced that here in lowly poverty their mission in Tasmania began.  The school, which was also the old weatherboard Church, opened the day after the Sisters’ arrival, with an enrolment of eight pupils.

The Bishop, Dr. Murphy and Father O’Callaghan were present on the historic occasion, and gave their blessing to the new-comers recalling the words of Scripture: “Fear not little flock.”  The convent, which was being prepared for the Sisters, was not ready yet for occupation, so Father O’Callaghan, who was relieving Archdeacon Hogan, P.P. whilst he was in Europe, generously vacated his presbytery for the Sisters until their primitive quarters were completed.