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The Nelson Photo News

 

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Nelson Convent Celebrates Centenary

Hundreds of people gathered in Nelson recently for a significant day in the city's history - the centenary of the Convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions.

The Nelson Convent became the third in New Zealand to celebrate its 100th birthday. The others were Napier in 1965 and Christchurch in 1968.

School opened at the Convent on February 27, 1871.

Included among guests at the celebrations were the Metropolitan of New Zealand, Cardinal P. B. McKeefry, the Minister of Education, Mr Talboys, who opened the celebrations, and many-past pupils of Sacred Heart College. The name of the college has been changed to Redwood College.

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The new Convent, opened in 1893 of 1894

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Father Garin, SM, the man who saw his duty was to provide for the education of the young. He built schools, including the foundations of what was to become Sacred Heart College and eventually Redwood College

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Father Garin's school

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The centenary cake is cut by a former teacher and pupils. From left: Miss Graham, Sister Mary of Egypt, who taught music at the convent from 1906, Mr C. O'Hagan, Sydney, Australia, Mrs I. Hallam and Mr W, Delaney, both of Nelson

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A section of the crowd at the official function on the Saturday afternoon

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Sister Mary Dionysius, deep in thought

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Sister Mary David, Provincial of the Order of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, addressing the guests

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The Minister of Education, Mr Talboys

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Mr Talboys and Cardinal McKeefry, Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of New Zealand, chat informally on the way to afternoon tea.

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Some members of the official party. Cardinal McKeefry, Mr Talboys, Sister David, Sister Ignatius and the Bishop of Nelson, the Rt. Rev. P.E. Sutton

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Former pupils scrutinise the centennial magazine. From left: Mrs N. Ferguson (Nelson), Mrs F. Payne, nee Gledhill (Wellington) who was at the school 1883-92 and was probably the oldest former pupil there, and Mrs Payne's sister, Mrs L. Capstick, 1883-1885

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Mrs G. Sowman and Mrs E. Newport, both of Nelson, had a lot of old times to talk about

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Happy smiles from Dorothy Pound (nee Ollson), Maureen Singleton (nee Housiaux) and Kath Stevens, all former pupils

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Sister Anna Maria, an old girl of Sacred Heart and now in Auckland, chatting with Patricia Barry and June Ralfe

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Mrs Joan Griffith and baby Karl with Sister Damien

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One of the highlights of the centennial celebrations was the Debutantes Ball held at Nelson College assembly hall. The 24 debs, all former pupils of the Sisters, were presented to Cardinal McKeefry. Other members of the official party are Mr T. Ralfe, Sister Mary David, Mrs Ralfe and St. Mary's Parish priest, Father P. Kinsella. The debs are, back row, Lorraine Smith, Wendy Hartnett, Maureen McBride and Kathleen Campbell (under arch), Helen Booker, Kay Horgan. Second back row: Pauline Cotterell, Josephine Maplesden, Ann Goddard, Jill Goddard, Irene Beattie, Judith Keenan. Third row: Janeen Sherlock, Annette Simpson, Therese Simpson, Glenys McCauley, Maureen McCauley, Mary Stewart. Front row: Maria Hope, Colleen Costello, Angela Amitrano, Denise Haughey, Kathleen Hoult, Mary Harvey. (Peter Cooper Studio).