Archived Events
'Dr James Linklater Thomas Isbister: A life of service ot the community - stories from the desk of Mary's MacKilllop's physician.
Exhibition Opening
7 April 2011
Decendents of Dr Isbister joined the Sisters and staff at Mary MacKillop Place to celebrate the opening of this special exhibition.
The exhibition was on display in the Museum's Reading Room from 7 April to 12 June. Read more about the exhibition...
This exhibition explored the life and work of this prominent local figure Dr Isbister.
The exhibition also displayed original furniture from his consulting rooms with letters and documents reveal the friendship developed between Dr and Mrs Isbister and Mary MacKillop in the early 1900s.
Dr Isbister was Mother Mary MacKillop's general medical practioner at the St Joseph's Convent, Mount Street, North Sydney. He attended to the Sisters at the convent in Mount Street and the Girls' Orphanage at Gore Hill, St Leonards.
Image courtesy of Peter Isbister
Reaching the People: Mary MacKillop in Sydney Cove Exhibition
28 August - 26 September 2010
The exhibition celebrated the work and achievements of the Sisters of St Joseph in The Rocks area over a twenty year period from 1881 to 1901. The exhibition highlighted the establishment of the order in Sydney and the community links developed in the Catholic and Protestant communities in The Rocks. The exhibition gave an insight into the role Mary MacKillop played in providing Sydney's underclass with a level of dignity and compassion.
The exhibition told the story of the shared vision and friendship between the Marist Fathers and the Sisters of St Joseph, in meeting the needs of the poor and homeless in The Rocks. Visitors were able to see recreated rooms of a migrant family home and take a journey to bygone days, through an interactive website produced by ABC3.
The exhibition also provided school groups with educational resources covering such topics as social and living conditions affecting immigrant (majority Irish Catholic) families, including the fight for the provision of equal rights for women and children and the rise of welfare organisations in the area.
View of Sydney Cove, 1890, showing the location of the Providence House & St Michael’s Church in the foreground.
Courtesy of the Marist Archives, Sydney
8 August 2010
Record crowds of pilgrims visited the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop at North Sydney on her traditional Feast Day of 8 August, with thousands of people coming to pay their respects to the woman who will become Australia’s first Saint later this year. Read more...
Fireside Reading Series at Alma Cottage
13 July 2010
Geraldine Doogue AO presented the Museum's second of three Fireside Readings in Alma Cottage on 13 July. Guests had the opportunity to listen to several specially selected letters written by Mary MacKillop. The theme of the evening was 'Mary's response to God in service.'
Guests also enjoyed wine and canapes in Anderledy Lodge before and after the reading.
Canonisation Celebrations
17 October 2010
Mary MacKillop Place was a sea of pilgrims as thousands arrived for each of the masses to celebrate the canonisation of Mary MacKillop. Read more...
Museum School Holiday Program
October 2010
The Museum ran a School Holiday Program during the second week of the October holidays for primary school-aged students.
We enjoyed a variety of activities which included taking a museum tour, exploring interactive computer activities, investigating old items from the travelling trunk and creating art and craft activities.
'Reaching the People: Mary MacKillop in Sydney Cove'
Exhibition Opening
27 August 2010
'Reaching the People: Mary MacKillop in Sydney Cove' exhibition was officially opened by the Honorable Tom Uren on the evening of 27 August. The exhibition is currently on display in the Old School House until 26 September. Read more...
Fireside Reading Series at Alma Cottage
17 August 2010
The Honorable Tom Uren presented the Museum's final Fireside Reading in Alma Cottage on 17 August in Alma Cottage, Mary MacKillop's home in Sydney.
Guests enjoyed listening to some of Mary's letters and Tom's personal reflections.
Feast Day Celebrations
8 August 2010
Record crowds of pilgrims visited the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop at North Sydney on her traditional Feast Day of August 8, with thousands of people coming to pay their respects to the woman who will become Australia’s first Saint later this year. Read more...
Fireside Reading Series at Alma Cottage
13 July 2010
Geraldine Doogue AO presented the Museum's second of three Fireside Readings in Alma Cottage on 13 July. Guests had the opportunity to listen to several specially selected letters written by Mary MacKillop. The theme of the evening was 'Mary's response to God in service.'
Guests also enjoyed wine and canapes in Anderledy Lodge before and after the reading.
Eminent Australians Grant Announcement
30 June 2010
The Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon. Peter Garrett MP, came to Mary MacKillop Place on 30 June 2010 to announce Australian Government funding to conserve the memorials of seven eminent Australians. Included in the list of eminent Australians was Mary MacKillop. Read more...
Fireside Reading Series at Alma Cottage
8 June 2010
Caroline Jones AO presented the Museum's first of three Fireside Readings in Alma Cottage on 8 June. Guests were able to listen to several specially selected letters written by Mary MacKillop to her family. The theme of the evening was 'Mary's spirituality and the influence of family.'
Guests also enjoyed wine and canapes in the courtyard before and after the reading.
The Art of Icon Painting by Michael Galovic
8 May - 8 June 2010
This exhibition showcased the many facets of the art of icon painting and to demonstrate the rich heritage of this art form which originated in Europe since the Middle Ages. The exhibition demonstrated the craft and origins of icon making, through the artistry of Michael Galovic's artwork.
Michael Galovic is solely devoted to the practice of icon painting from traditional to contemporary in religious and non religious themes. The exhibition comprised of a collection of works for the first time in Sydney, representing the unique technique and execution required for the detailed painting of icon artworks
Michael Galovic's icons have been displayed in a number of churches in Australia and New Zealand. His commissions are largely for Catholic churches, institutions and schools, including the Sisters of St Joseph in Sydney.
Michael has produced beautiful iconic depictions of Mary MacKillop and we are thrilled to be able to show two recent commissions for this exhibition.
Michael Galovic's work has been represented in a number of group exhibitons including the Blake Prize for Religious Art in 1993 and 2004.
Commissioned portrait of Mary MacKillop by Michael Galovic
The Sisters of St Joseph 2009
Open Day & Arts Market on the Green
18 April 2010
Everyone enjoyed a glorious warm autumn day for the annual Mary MacKillop Place Open Day on Sunday 18 April. Visitors from far and wide explored the Museum which displays the Sisters of St Joseph's Collection and the temporary exhibition of Western Australian artists: Stories of the Dreaming - The Ringer Soak Community of the East Kimberley.
Of course, a visit to the beautiful Chapel built in Mary's honour was a highlight for many of our visitors. People were also able to enter historic Alma Cottage and catch a short talk on Mary's life in North Sydney.
Our younger visitors had fun in the Kid's Space where they played games and created some artworks. Our roaming Peruvian musicians and gramophone music from a bygone era helped to provide real atmosphere.
Visitors also browsed around the Arts Market and enjoyed the delicious barbeque menu and Devonshire Teas.
Wisdom Series Exhibition by Richard Campbell
Opening Night
8 December 2009
On Tuesday 8 December Friends of Mary MacKillop Place, Sisters and staff gathered for an enjoyable evening to celebrate the opening of the Wisdom Series exhibition. The artist, Richard Campbell, gave an informative talk on the symbolism behind his artwork.
We were pleased to show the Wisdom Series of paintings by Richard Campbell in the Reading Room at the Mary MacKillop Place Museum from 9 December 2009 to 9 April 2010.
Richard Campbell was a finalist in the 2007 Blake Prize for religious art and his designs were endorsed for World Youth Day merchandising for the event in Sydney in 2008. He is a passionate educator on the interconnection of Aboriginal spirituality through storytelling and mans relationship to God as understood in the Catholic faith. Asked what he desires indigenous and non indigenous people to experience when viewing his art, he reiterates:
'We all have a spiritual connection, we're all brothers and sisters, withthe animals, the trees, rivers and rocks, we all belong to one big God - call it Christ, we call it Birrigun, we are all one in God.'
The Wisdom Series on show connected visitors to the Christian story of Christmas, in this unique and beautifully executed indigenous interpretation we are celebrating Christ's birth and God's constant presence in this world.
Peruvian Regional Textiles Exhibition:
Showcasing a diversity of motifs and techniques
7 - 27 November 2009
As series of Peruvian regional textiles were on exhibition in the Museum's Reading Room from 7 to 27 November.
Museum Open Weekend
15 & 16 August 2009
On the weekend of 15 & 16 August, several hundred visitors enjoyed the beautiful weather and festivities at the Musuem's Open Weekend. This was a great opportunity to discover a local secret in the heart of North Sydney and unravel the story of Mary MacKillop - Australia's first Saint.
Visitors explored the museum's story through the new interactive exhibition Mary Path to Sainthood on a guided tour as well as visiting historic Alma Cottage, Mary MacKillop's home from 1884 to 1909.
The roaming Peruvian musicians and Gramophone Man helped create a a wonderful atmosphere of celebration for visitors as they enjoyed Devonshire Tea and the sausage sizzle in the grounds.
Thank you to all our visitors, volunteers and staff for helping to make our Open Weekend one to remember!
Mary MacKillop
Centenary Feast Day Celebrations
8 August 2009
On Saturday 8 August, the Sisters of St Joseph welcomed everyone to celebrate Mary MacKillop's Centenary Feast Day celebrations in North Sydney.
A Centenary Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Pell at 11am at St Mary's Church in Miller Street, North Sydney and broadcast to North Sydney Oval.
Masses were also celebrated in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in the early morning and evening. The Chapel was open all day for visits to Mary MacKillop's Tomb.
Many visitors enjoyed a day of celebration and Josephite hospitality in the grounds of Mary MacKillop Place.
Calligraphy Lecture
23 July 2009
As part of the Museum's Public Programs, a lecture on the Art of Calligraphy was presented by Heather Courtis in the Reading Room on 23 July 2009. The lecture also gave those attending an opportunity to view The Book of Heroes and Champions (featuring Mary MacKillop) produced by the Gold Coast Calligraphy Society.
Feast Day Celebrations - Friday 8 August 2008
Journey of the WYD Cross & Icon is placed under the patronage of Blessed Mary MacKillop
1 July 2008
With the arrival fo the WYD Cross and Icon on Australian soil on 1 July 2007, Australia's year-long national journey of prayerful preparation towards the celebration of World Youth Day in Sydney in July 2008, commenced.
A delegation of young pilgrims from New Zealand brought the WYD Cross and Icon to Sydney for an international handover to a delegation of young Australian WYD08 pilgrims in the presence of religious and and civic leaders.
The Cross and Icon travelled from the airport to Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel for a special event during which, in the presence of invited guests, the Journey of the Cross and Icon throughout Australia was placed under the patronage of Blessed Mary MacKillop.
The Cross and Icon were then taken across the Harbour Bridge to Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour where WYD08 presented and exciting festival program as part of the welcoming celebrations. The celebrations included the first live performance of the World Youth Day song 'Receive the Power' sung by Guy Sebastian and Paulini. All young people and families were invited to this celebration.
The national welcome day concluded with a 6pm Mass at St Mary's Cathedral.
Catholic Schools at a Crossroads
7 August 2007
The Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of NSW and the ACT, 'Catholic Schools at a Crossroads', was launched at Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel on 7 August 2007. The Liturgy of the Word was celebrated by the Bishop of Broken Bay, the Most Rev David Walker, with those enjaged in the mission of Catholic school educaiton in NSW and the ACT.