The Chimes

St Ildephonsus’ College ‘Old Boys’ Reunion

The mostly 80 and 90 year old “Old Boys”, stayed overnight in their former college dorms, reminiscing about their schooling life in New Norcia. They enjoyed a roast beef dinner along with a few Abbey Ales and other drinks, served in their former refectory. Many commented on the wonderful changes to the refectory since their last visit.

On Sunday morning they had a cooked breakfast followed by Mass in St Ildephonsus’ Chapel, with their dear friend Fr. David as the celebrant. After Mass the “Old Boys” enjoyed a light lunch before farewelling each other and returning home.

Safeguarding Audit 2023

The 2023 audit assessed New Norcia for both Children and Adults at Risk in line with the second edition of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS). We are pleased to announce that the auditors have assessed us as having “fully implemented and embedded a culture of safeguarding throughout the community.”

This pleasing result is a product not only of the dedicated work of the New Norcia Safeguarding Committee but of the awareness of, and commitment to, safeguarding as being everybody’s responsibility.

Although assessed as 100 percent compliant, when it comes to safeguarding, there are always opportunities for further improvement. The auditors have encouraged us to continue the development of our safeguarding profile by making a few recommendations that will further enhance what is already in place. With safeguarding being a major priority, we have commenced work on the implementation of these suggestions.

The ACSL Audit Report can be accessed here: NewNorciaAudit.pdf

Things Both Old and New

After specialist contractors removed the asbestos roof, it was discovered the steel frame was completely rusted and the concrete floor deemed unstable. It was also more than obvious that the iron sheeting walls and louvre windows had seen better days. Although the building was not heritage listed, Jim Longbottom prepared a comprehensive photographic report using heritage guidelines and our heritage consultants (Urbis) submitted the request to Heritage Council (WA), who subsequently approved the demolition. Originally used as an extension to the laundry in the 1950’s, in recent years the shed housed a display of old farm machinery and domestic equipment such as a meat safe, butter churn and wine press.

These important fragile historical pieces have been carefully transferred to three heritage buildings at the northern end of town – the olive and carpentry shed, the blacksmith’s shop, and the old flour mill, forming three new self-guided exhibitions. We are working on printed and audio-visual interpretation installations with our design partners Axiom, and hope to open these exciting new exhibitions not too far into 2024. The original early 20th C laundry, now in full view, will eventually be restored, providing a sheltered space with seating and vending machines for visitors waiting for the tour, or to enjoy an indoor picnic on a rainy day.

The 5th International Benedictine Oblates Congress

Held every four years (although it has been six years since the previous one), this Congress met at Sant’Anselmo Monastery in central Rome, for a week of balanced work and play, interspersing days of workshops and guest speakers with trips to special places, all covered by Morning and Evening Prayer, and daily Mass. There was also a short concert featuring the modern premiere of O Beate Benedicte, a 16th century composition by Allessandro Grandi which honours St Benedict, and has only recently been re-discovered.

Guest speakers included Sr Marie Madeleine Caseau, Prioress of Saint Bathilde of Vanves, France; Abbot Donato Ogliari, Abbot of St Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, and Abbot Primate Gregory Polan, who spoke on Benedictine hospitality as a path to reconciliation; while the workshops looked at Oblate formation, living out our calling in the 21st century, and explored Islands of Silence and contemplative practice.

Day trips included a visit to Monte Cassino, with guided tours led by the Abbot’s secretary, Mass in the Abbey, and lunch in the Refectory with the monks. Next was a trip Sacro Speco in Subiaco, site of the cave where a young Benedict spent three years of his life, the tour of which was followed by an amazing five-course Italian lunch at the restaurant that forms part of the Subiaco Monastery.

The final day of the Congress saw the group at Vatican Palace, where they were given a private audience with Pope Francis who spoke to the Oblates on three aspects of Benedictine life – ‘a continual search for God’, ‘enthusiasm for the Gospel’, and ‘hospitality’. Following his message, all members of the group had the opportunity to greet the Pontiff, with photos taken of the occasion by Vatican Media.

The Mystery of the Puzzling Document solved

“I think I can shed some light on the mystery document but, unfortunately, it is not the light for which you were hoping. In a nutshell, I don’t believe that it has any possible connection with the Benedictines in general and New Norcia in particular.

I believe that the recipient was Hugh Brown Birch (b. 1876, d. 1901). He was the third son of Henry Birch, a very well-known Perth identity who was a butcher/baker and also a leading Congregationalist and Freemason. Those last two facts of course militate strongly against any substantial link with New Norcia.

Hugh married in 1899 (Sarah Jane Halliday) and my best guess at present is that the document could relate to this event. The key word, understandably read as “Benedictine”, might then refer tongue in cheek to his new status as in numbered among the ‘blessed’ (i.e., benedictos).

The witnesses are an interesting bunch (possibly all married) but the most easily identifiable among them is not Gerald De Courcy Lefroy but De Courcy Gerald Lefroy (gosh I really wish families would not do this!). He lived until 1948.

The others, apart from his employers, seem to have been young men around Hugh’s own age. Apart from the one I too cannot read, they can be traced. I have some rather disorganised sightings that I am happy to share with you and/or Richard [Williams]. Trove, register entries (BMD) and the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board together often combine well.

How or why the document survived (let alone ended up in Doubleview) is just as mysterious as anything else. Hugh’s widow Sarah Jane never remarried (she died in Victoria Park in 1960) and there were no children.”

Thanks Margaret, and thanks to Richard who sent us the certificate; whilst it has apparently nothing to do with New Norcia, the document has at least been saved from the chook shed!

Who was Peter Lewis?

He has been described as a monk, an alter ego for Fr Francisco Salvadó, as a relative of Bishop Salvado’s and as a workman at New Norcia. Adding to the confusion is that Peter apparently anglicised his name from Pedro Luigi Salvado or something similar. My predecessor, Wendy McKinley, tried valiantly to find out who he was and, in an email to one researcher in early 2007, she wrote “If you find the real story I would love to know it”. The response to that from her correspondent was “I somehow doubt we will ever know the truth about Peter Lewis”.

Thinking Outside the Box – the 2023 New Norcia Library Lecture.

Like Library Days in the past, the format was for talks in the morning followed by a sumptuous lunch in the newly renovated St Ildephonsus’ College dining room, after which attendees could choose from a variety of walks and visits.

The proceedings began with Nicole Wreford, librarian at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, who gave a talk entitled Post-Covid hybrid library thinking: thinking outside the box in 2023. Nicole was followed by a double presentation from Shane Dowling and Laura Blake from City of Swan. Shane started off by giving us some personal reflections on his life as a librarian which included some fascinating connections to New Norcia; no less interesting was Laura who spoke to us about Library values in the digital age – the evolving role of the public librarian. Finally, we had a most informative and in-depth presentation from Danielle DeGiorgio who is the Digital and Information Literacy Advisor for the Library Services Centre at Edith Cowan University. Danielle’s talk was Beyond the reference desk: transforming learning technology support with library peer assistants.

After lunch our guests were treated to a rare visit to the monastery library, hosted by the monastery’s Liturgist, Fr Robert Nixon; a look at some of the monastery’s rare books in the main library presented by monastery librarian, Dom Paul Forster ably assisted by volunteer Jim Longbottom; a visit to the archives; and a working display of printing in the old Abbey Press, kindly demonstrated by Geoff Moor who has volunteered in the Abbey Press for many years and who very kindly agreed to come up from Roleystone especially for the demonstration.

Upcoming Events

2024 Mandorla Art Award

Entries now open.

With a prize pool of over $50,000, Mandorla is Australia's most significant thematic Christian art prize. The Mandorla Art Award actively fosters a relationship between contemporary fine artists and the writings of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Open to all artists across Australia, working in any medium, Mandorla invites artists
to think laterally and with sensitivity by interpreting anew theme for each iteration of the award.

Click here for more information.

Treasuries of Ragtime Piano

16th December 2023 NEW NORCIA HOSTEL

This soirée will present an array of ragtime music (including pieces by Winifred Atwell, Scott Joplin and many others), performed by New Norcia's Fr Robert Nixon.

Click here for information and tickets.