St Mary’s College Principal Coby Rhatigan & Sr Pat Rhatigan SSJG presenting a gift to Sr Catherine Brabender RNDM & Sr Helena Brabender RNDM together with Sr Margaret Spain RNDM & Principal’s PA Anthea Demin
Sr Catherine Brabender shares her reflection from the Broome 50th Anniversary Mass held on 13TH June 2024 at NULUNGU – ST MARY’S COLLEGE CHAPEL
The first reading from St Paul to the Corinthians reminds us to be grateful, “I never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ. I thank him that you have been enriched in so many ways, especially through your teachers and preachers”
Today we celebrate and give thanks for the contribution the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions and the St John of God sisters, have made to Catholic education at Nulungu College, now St Mary’s Broome, over the past 50 years
Milestone anniversaries are a special time to look back with gratitude for all that has been, and to remember those who have been part of this education journey over the past 50 years.
I acknowledge particularly the vision of the late Bishop John Jobst who in 1973 invited the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions to establish the first Catholic Secondary College for girls in the Kimberlies. This College for both day and boarding students was to be managed co jointly by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions and the Sisters of St John of God. The boarders came from Balgo, Turkey Creek, Derby and Fitzroy crossing.
It was to be a companion college for girls alongside Nulungu Boys’ College established by the Christian Brothers in 1972.
The invitation from Bishop Jobst was not the first invitation to our Congregation for a mission in the Kimberlies.
In our archives there is a letter dated April 1894, from Father Gregory, the French Abbot of a new Trappist foundation in Beagle Bay, to our Generalate in France requesting sisters to begin a foundation there on land given by the Government of WA. It was described as part of the Perth Archdiocese! Our General Council agreed to this new mission in April 1894, (before the Australian Province was established) however, before anything further happened the Leader of the Trappists in Italy recalled the monks to Europe.
Almost 80 years later, the Provincial Council In Perth received the invitation from Bishop J Jobst, to be part of a new education venture in Broome.
The dream of Bishop Jobst as expressed in THE KIMBERLEY PROFILE in August 2014 was also our dream:
“He was instrumental in establishing a number of schools in remote locations: he was the founder of Nulungu as well as the University of Notre Dame Broome Campus. His love for the Aboriginal people led him to the firm conviction that education was the key to their advancement in justice thus enabling a right foundation for true reconciliation. He was much before his time in his notion of Aboriginal Land Rights and advocated publicly the cause of individual peoples’ owning their own land thus empowering them to achieve a real sense of self determination”
The aim of the College was that the Aboriginal culture would be affirmed and taught in an integrated way with traditional academic subjects as well as commerce and home science to prepare the girls to take their place confidently in contemporary Australian society.
It was a steep learning curve for all involved, the students from the remote communities as well as the staff, many of whom were new to the Kimberlies.
The sisters not only taught during the day but were also the house mothers to the boarders. It was full on and turned out to be a 24 hour day for the first couple of years. It had its challenges and joys, but they were young, healthy and active and enjoyed every minute of the experience. After the first two years Bishop Jobst managed to bring Lay Missionaries who took care of the boarders outside of school hours.
Whilst at times there were only three RNDM’s in Broome, the collaboration and partnership with the Christian Brothers, not only in teaching but in sharing prayer and meals provided a greater sense of community, support and encouragement in an environment that was at times very challenging.
You will see in the Mass Booklet the names of all the Sisters who taught in Broome, I also wish to acknowledge the contribution made by RNDM Sisters from other Provinces including, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK.
The logo for the new school, Nulungu, means “watering hole”. Just outside Broome there is a waterhole which is part of the story/cycle of the Wati Kujarra nation. Students came to Nulungu to drink from the waters of knowledge. When they returned to their communities, they shared what they had learned.
Nulungu was a school built on strong community partnerships and collaboration with parents, Indigenous elders, lay teachers and teachers assistants as well as the Broome community itself.
Nulungu College Chapel designed by the late Brother Nick Billich CFC
Many of the girls from Nulungu have gone on to become the strong women and leaders in community and cultural activities, in both the Kimberlie region and beyond. Education was the key that opened many doors to a wide range of opportunities for students from Nulungu to achieve great success.
In 1985 the two Colleges, Nulungu Girls and Nulungu Boys merged to form Nulungu co education College. The collaboration and partnership between the Christian Brothers and the Sisters and staff brought a richness and greater opportunities to all students.
In 1992 when the boarding facilities closed, Nulungu College combined with St Mary’s Primary school and at that time the whole complex was renamed St Mary’s College (K – 12)
In 2007 Sister Helena was the last RNDM in Broome and it was time for her to move on. We left with a certain sadness but knowing that the legacy of the sisters would continue as it was in good hands.
It is inspiring and encouraging for the sisters to return to Broome and see that the foundations laid 50 years ago, have been nurtured and developed by the subsequent principals and staff into the wonderful St Mary’s College today.
Sr Helena Brabender RNDM with artist Sally Bin Demin, Sr Catherine Brabender RNDM & Sr Margaret Spain RNDM
In the words of St Paul to the Corinthians 3:6-7: Apollo planted, Paul watered and God gave the increase.
We thank God for all of you gathered here today, you are here because you have some association with the Sisters, Nulungu or St Mary’s College. We are grateful for the encouragement and support you have given our sisters over the years, particularly during their time at Nulungu/St Marys.
We pray that the students at St Mary’s will continue go from strength to strength to achieve their dreams and continue to contribute to an inclusive society.
May God Bless you all.
Sr Catherine Brabender RNDM
Province Leader
