| Summary: |
The Presentation Sisters arrived in Daylesford in 1892. The little community of founding sisters, led by Mother Byrne, was the first of the order outside Melbourne. Their mission was to create a source of ‘light and edification’ for the people of Daylesford. When they first arrived the convent, which was originally home to the Gold Commissioner and the first priests in Daylesford, was extremely small and cramped. Extensions and renovations at great expense were necessary in order to accommodate nuns, day students and boarders.
The Sisters and founders of the convent and its school took it upon themselves to become responsible for the education and development of the people of Daylesford. They achieved this both through education and religion.
The convent offered many subjects that had not previously been available to the people of the district. They included English, French, elucid (the teaching of comprehension and clear thinking; to understand the logic of arguments and reasoning), algebra, bookkeeping, botany, physiology, vocal music, piano, violin, painting in oils and watercolours, needlework and many more. As we can see, the schooling was of an excellent standard and quite ahead of its time. |
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