Welcome for Duke and Duchess of York

In 1927, the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) visited Australia. They passed through Ballarat on Friday 29 April 1927, for approximately 1 hour on their way from Melbourne to Adelaide. In that time they visited the Town Hall and the Arch Memorial.

The people of Ballarat lined Sturt Street to watch the royal procession pass, including the students from each school. At Loreto Abbey, Lucy Kerley (student) and M. Catherine Goddard organised for the painting of murals and decorating of the front gates in celebration. Large arches also lined the front drive, and student musicians played in honour of the royal visitors.

The scene stopped the procession, as documented in the Age newspaper the following day:

A few seconds later the procession deviated, and momentarily paused to witness one of the features of the welcome, a magnificent display arranged [by] the reverend mother, nuns, and students at Loreto Abbey, Mary’s Mount, in Sturt-street. Lending itself admirably for the purpose, the old Tudor gateway was decorated with Tudor roses as the motif. From the parapet above the centre of the main arch hung the coat of arms of the Duke, while the design in the spandrels was a large Tudor rose, kept in position by sprays of royal blue columbine, similar designs filling the lower arches. The arms of the Commonwealth were held on one buttress. The lower portions of the buttresses was painted to represent an avenue of successful signs of welcome. Probably the most imposing feature of this unique effort was the decoration of the ten-foot brick wall which turns in towards the gateway. On one side was a picture of the entrance of the City of York, and on the other a view of Windsor Castle, with the Royal Standard floating from its tower to complete the effect. The students, with garlands of Columbine, lined the roadway in front of the Abbey, and as the royal car paused the students’ orchestra played the National Anthem. The Duke made acknowledgement, and the procession was resumed amid enthusiastic cheering and loyal enthusiasm.

ARRIVAL AT BALLARAT. (1927, April 30). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 16. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205802547

Mother Catherine Goddard

The daughter of a sea captain, Emily Goddard was educated by the Loreto sisters in Ireland and Germany before studying art in London. In 1896 she came to Australia and opened an art studio in Sydney.In 1902 Emily entered the IBVM order at Mary’s Mount, Ballarat, becoming Mother Catherine Goddard. She became Mistress of Schools at Mary’s Mount, Mistress of Art to Senior Classes, and taught English, Christian Doctrine and History. Students came from as far away as Brisbane to attend her newly formed Culture/Finishing Class which included travel and art lectures based on her extensive travels in Europe, church history, cooking and drama. Mother Catherine and her students produced living tableaux reproductions of famous paintings. Many of the artistic contributions to the school at the time were made by Mother Catherine. She painted stage sets, celebratory banners, and certificates and designed the stained glass in the front entrance.

Lucy Kerley

Lucy Kerley was born in Geelong in 1908, where she lived for most of her life. She was educated at St. Agnes School, then at Madame Clancy's Central College before becoming a boarder at Loreto Mary's Mount in 1923 where she completed her schooling. She left us with a wonderful memoir of her school days in the 1920s. It is witty, honest and irreverent. And Lucy Kerley’s bequest made possible the extensive restoration of the Chapel and the Chapel art and statues in 1999.

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Further information:

Mother Catherine Goddard: https://www.loreto.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mother-Catherine-Goddard-1.pdf

Lucy Kerley: https://loreto.vic.edu.au/loreto-college/heritage/philanthropy/lucy-kerley/

Read Lucy’s memoirs of life at school in the 1920s: https://www.loreto.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Lucy-Kerleys-Memories-Marys-Mount-1920s.pdf

Front Gates & Wall

Built in 1881, around three sides of the grounds. The original wooden fence was falling down, and the Loreto sisters and their students were feeling ‘considerable annoyance’ regarding the ‘curiosity of passersby’. Designed by W.B. Tappin, it was built thanks to community donations.

Restoration works on the fence in 2011

Extra lighting was added to the front gate and fence line to make Loreto College more accessible at night for after hours activities, mainly held in the new MMC theatre.

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