Past Congregational Leaders

Sr Francis McCarthy 1887–1889

Francis McCarthy was born in Dublin, entered the Sisters of St Joseph at Perthville in 1875 and was present during the separation. Francis knew  Mary MacKillop and  with the founding community stayed with her en route to Tasmania.

In Francis’s time as Sister  Guardian, foundations were made at Devonport, Ulverstone and Forth.   Considered  a saintly faith-filled woman, she was regarded highly by all who knew her.

Sr Joseph Eather  1889-1899

Born in Newcastle, she entered the Sisters of St Joseph, Perthville in 1879. One of the Tasmanian founding sisters, Joseph Eather was an excellent music teacher. She provided information for George O’Neill’s life of Fr Woods.

Sr Ambrose Joseph Dirkin 1899-1904

Foundress of Lochinvar, she transferred to Tasmania in 1895 .  Ambrose was appointed Sister Guardian in 1899.   She  ministered for over 25 years at Zeehan and was a noted musician.

Sr Hyacinth Quinlan (1905- 1914)

Hyacinth entered the Sisters of St Joseph in Adelaide in 1868.   A member of the founding Perthville community, she  became Sister Guardian  after the separation.  Hyacinth was the foundress of Whanganui New Zealand and transferred to Tasmania in 1891. In her term as Sister Guardian, the motherhouse and novitiate was established at New Town.

Sr Columba Cahill (1914-1920; 1923-1928, 1932-1937 and 1942-1946)

Born in Ireland, she entered the Tasmanian Josephites from Queensland in 1893.  Columba was the longest serving Sister Guardian and was regarded as a woman of great prayer, and compassion. During her term, the novitiate was purchased and additional classrooms were built at Sacred Heart School.

Sr Stanislaus Doyle (1919-1922, 1929-1931)

Born in Wexford Ireland, she entered at Perthville in 1882.   One of the founding community, she was Sister Guardian twice and was noted for her administrative skills.    She was universally loved.

Sr Eulalia Smith  (1938- 1941)

Born in Meredith Victoria, Eulalia was elected in 1938.   Her term was marked by significant changes wrought by Archbishop Simonds.    Eulalia was re-elected despite suffering from cancer and died in office in 1941. She was remembered as a saintly and kindly lady.

Sr Magdalen Saye (1946-1957)

A former teacher of Sacred Heart School New Town, Magadalen and her sister, Sr Josephine joined the Sisters of St Joseph at New Town. Magadalen was the first Tasmanian-born Sister Guardian. Her term saw the development of St Joseph’s Waterton Hall and Regis House Hostel, Launceston.

Sr Paschal Briggs (1958-1969)

Sr Paschal from Brighton was a former pupil of Sacred Heart College. During her term as Sister Guardian, the secondary section of Sacred Heart was completed. Sr Paschal was responsible for overseeing the changes of Vatican ll  and the implementation of new forms of religious living.  She was deeply concerned for the welfare of the sisters and it was during her term that St Joseph’s was built as accommodation for elderly sisters. Paschal was a member of the first Federation Council.

Sr Celsus McCarthy (1970-1975)

Born in County Clare, Ireland, Celsus was one of those educated at St Brigid’s Missionary School, Callan.   Celsus was a delightful character and loved by all.   It was during her time as leader that novices went to the Federation House of Studies in Canberra for part of their novitiate and their teacher training.

Sr Margaret Cousins (1976-1985)

Sr Valerie Burns (1986-1993)

Sr Barbara Duggan (1994-1999)  

Barbara was a “reluctant” Sr Guardian who brought great vision to the role. A former student, teacher and Principal of Sacred Heart College, Barbara was strongly associated with the College and it was during her time as leader that the College underwent real expansion.    She strongly supported all the initiatives of the Federation.  In the 1960’s, she was one of those charged with writing the original Federation Constitution.

Barbara died in 2001.

Sr Carmel Jones (2000-2005)