sisters of st john of god heritage centre 1 sisters of st ... · mission. she is highlighted in...
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Issue 6: — June 2016 Sisters of St John of God Heritage Centre 1
9 Barker St, PO Box 7442, Broome WA 6725
Tel: 9192 3950
Website: heritage.ssjg.org.au Email: [email protected]
Returning to share story with family 47 years ago Barbara Garcia nee Bargas left Broome and
returned for the first time this month. She came with her
daughter and granddaughter for a two day visit to reconnect
with old friends and see the places where she grew up. Visiting the Relationships Exhibition in the Old Convent
brought back memories of student days at St Mary’s School,
which was then just over the fence in Robinson Street. The
children would often visit the Chapel and have activities in the
Convent grounds. Barbara was excited to catch up with her old friend, Sally bin
Demin and they poured over photos in the Photographic
Collection laughing and telling stories. Barbara’s
granddaughter Dannielle, was particularly excited to learn of all
the close connections between families and to see her relatives
as young girls. Linda Iemma (Barbara’s daughter),
Sally bin Demin, Barbara and
granddaughter Dannielle Booth.
Sisters of St John of God
Heritage Centre—Broome
Leonie Webb with husband Paul Edgley
Leonie Webb is the youngest niece of Dorothy Branigan who
was given the religious name of Sr Damian when she arrived in
Broome July 1943 to commence religious life with the Sisters of
St John of God. Sr Damian was a well known and much loved
religious who worked mainly in Derby and Balgo. She was
driving from Balgo to Derby when she was killed in a car
accident in October 1973. Over the years most members of her family have made the trek
from Victoria to Broome. Leonie was emotional to see
photographs of Sr Damian and thanked staff and volunteers for
the experience.
Barbara’s mother, Agatha Roe was removed from Thangoo
Station as a child and grew up with the Sisters at Beagle Bay
Mission. She is highlighted in this photo taken in 1924.
Barbara’s father was Filipino and the family was typical of
Broome’s mixed race heritage. Barbara, with her sisters
Margaret, Rita and Clara attended St Mary’s School.
Issue 6: — June 2016 Sisters of St John of God Heritage Centre 2
Relationships Exhibition An historical exhibition reflecting relationships between Sisters of St John of God and people in the Kimberley
A busy time with visitors Samantha Wally, with her partner John Bennett Jnr and their son
John Bennett the third. This young couple were visiting from
Bidyadanga and were very proud of their young son.
John has memories of Sr Johanna preparing him for First
Communion in 1988. His parents, John Bennett Snr and wife
Cecilia were leaders in the local Catholic community at La Grange
Mission, later changed to Bidyadanga Community.
Samantha was eager to order copies of family photos to take back
to Bidyadanga.
Kees Klep and wife Nelly with their daughter
Nicole (left) were holidaying in Broome and
visited the Relationships Exhibition to view
photographs of his sister, Sr Johanna Klep.
Kate was delighted to be
back in Broome after leaving
in 2001. She spent her time
catching up with family and
old friends. She visited the Relationships
Exhibition to renew
memories and to keep the
connection strong. Kate and her late husband,
Adrian were staff at the
Broome Campus of UNDA.
Kate Haydock
Ruby and Bill Johnson visited the
Relationships Exhibition as Ruby
was keen to view photographs of Sr
Margaret Charleson SSJG. They
had been friends for 30 years. Ruby
and Bill were also able to see
photographs of their nephew Peter
Wright, who taught at Nulungu
College in 1984.
Madeleine Jadai, Arina Aero and
Majella Nardada from
Bidyadanga, called in for a quick
visit. They were in Broome for the
football game between the
Bidyadanga Emus and Looma
Eagles.
A group of community members and staff from the Mowanjum
Collection & Media Centre in Derby. They spent time with the
Heritage Centre staff sharing ideas on work matters as well as
viewing photographs.
Kate was delighted to be
back in Broome after leaving
in 2001. She spent her time
catching up with family and
old friends. She visited the Relationships
Exhibition to renew
memories and to keep the
connection strong. Kate and her late husband,
Adrian were staff at the
Broome Campus of UNDA.
Kate Haydock