News & Photos

CELEBRATION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

OPENING OF THE MARY MACKILLOP INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

ON 1/6/2008

The Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre was officially opened on 31/5/98. Volunteer staff and parishioners of St Joseph’s Catholic Parish gathered at the Centre after Mass on Sunday 1st June for a BBQ lunch to celebrate the occasion.

Claire Larkin is Chairperson of the Administrative Committee.  She thanked the wonderful volunteers who are the lifeblood of the Centre. Over 94000 people have been welcomed by the volunteers over the last 10 years. Many have been helping since the opening. Claire made particular mention of two people whose contribution has been outstanding.   

 

Anne-Marie Matuschka, (pictured left) treasurer and researcher, gives countless hours of her time and is an inspiration to all.  

Margaret Muller, (pictured right) expertly researches, writes and edits the text on the displays and is now involved with the new upgrading planned for the Schoolhouse. We are so fortunate to have someone with her skills giving so much time to the Centre.

 

 

The major achievements over the past 10 years have been:
-The displays in the Mary MacKillop Gallery "Penola, where it all began."
-The story in the Father Woods Gallery "Ten Years in the bush & beyond."
-Celebration of 150 years since Father Woods came to Penola in 2007.
-The new website just completed in 2008.

 

A major project being planned is the new displays in the Schoolhouse to concentrate on the story of early Josephite education. It will be encouraging more participation of  students and should attract more school children to visit.

After lunch a Birthday cake was cut by Father Paul Gardiner SJ. The occasion also marked a farewell to Fr Paul who travels to Rome next week.