|
St Vincent's Orphanage, Nudgee Orphanage, or, as it became known, St Vincent's Home for Children, is one of the oldest establishments in the district and its early history is documented in the extensive archives of the Sisters of Mercy.
In 1867, the Sisters established the Orphanage at Queens Road, on 3,500 acres of land purchased freehold by Bishop Quinn. Before St Vincent's Orphanage was established, temporary lodgings were rented at Cairncross House and adjacent cottages at New Farm. These lodgings were known as "New Farm St Vincent's". However, the numbers of sisters outgrew the accommodation.
The first Nudgee buildings, some of which still remain, were constructed of timber felled on the property. These were slab huts that had been erected for the men who were felling the timber on the property. The huts were quickly vacated to make a home for the very ill children, who were moved to "Nudgee by the Sea". The transfer of these children from New Farm took place on 11 November 1867. They were the humble beginnings of what was known, for so many years, as Nudgee Orphanage.
Forty-seven children were admitted on the opening day, and during St Vincent's first century, 10,500 children found a home in the orphanage.
The archive records reveal in detail the hardships of access to St Vincent's, encountered by the Sisters. The road to Nudgee was unformed and became impassable even after a summer thunderstorm. Several small low-level timber bridges were eventually constructed to improve access (later became Nudgee Road).
In 1863, the first survey plans of Nudgee Beach were published by the Surveyor General. Survey Plan S31A1008 Sheet 2 indicated that mangroves to the east of Nudgee Creek, along the Nudgee Beach foreshore had been felled to allow ocean breezes to St Vincent's.
Built within the grounds of Nudgee, the residence, "Rathbawn", was named after Bishop Quinn's birthplace in Co. Kildare, Ireland. The Bishop loved this "Country House" and he would often come to rest awhile, at the same time keeping a fatherly eye on the growth and development of St Vincent's. After Bishop Quinn's death, "Rathbawn" became a residence for private boarders. It was subsequently used as a Sewing Room for making children's clothes.
For almost twenty years, the pioneer Sisters in Nudgee waited for their first Convent, which was blessed and opened on 02 January 1885. Prior to 1885, they were housed in slab buildings that had neither doors nor windows. Shutters were used as substitutes, and they were tied down with green hide and bolted with wooden pegs.
Also blessed and opened on 02 January 1885 was the first Chapel. Extensions were added on 11 May 1915. After those extensions, the Chapel was able to comfortably accommodate 500 people.
On 05 December 1905, a cyclone destroyed a number of St Vincent's buildings and unroofed others. These had been fairly substantial buildings, so it is probable that the rest of the district must have sustained some damage as well.
St Vincent's had its own herd of dairy cattle. In "The Dairy", butter for the children was made and the cream kept cool between meal times. All milk and cream came from St Vincent's herd.
St Roch's was fondly called "The Nursery" and was always an essential part of St Vincent's. In 1938, children between the ages of nine months to two years were admitted to St Vincent's. Prior to that, children were admitted from two years and older.
Today, the former St Vincents Home is still owned and run by the Catholic Church. However its purpose has changed from being a place for children to one for aged residents. Emmaus, a multistory building constructed beside the chapel is used to house and care for the residents.
|
|
