It marks 150 years since the Sisters of St Joseph’s were founded.

It all began with Julian Tenison Woods and Mary MacKillop in Penola, South Australia in 1866.

Julian and Mary were inspired to find ways of serving the poor primarily through education and the support of families in rural areas. 

From Penola, a foundation was made to Perthville, NSW in 1872.

Difficulties emerged as the Bishop of Bathurst wanted to control the activity of the Sisters, so Mary withdrew them from Perthville. 

In 1883 four Sisters travelled from Perthville to Lochinvar to begin a new diocesan congregation.

Their first convent was originally an inn and classes were taught in the convent.

Many young women joined the Sisters and from their small beginnings, they expanded into various towns in the Hunter and Great Lakes areas.