From the Archives

I find myself in the privileged position of managing the archives of the extraordinary work of the Brigidine Sisters at the Brigidine Convent, later to become St Joseph’s College in Echuca. The Sisters have truly left us with a rich heritage that I am slowly sorting through - a job made much easier thanks to the marvellous work of Sr Margaret Duffy and her team of volunteers, who have meticulously labelled much of the collection. 

The archives hold a wonderful photographic collection of over 8000 photographs spanning our 136 year history. One of my biggest jobs has been to transfer these photographs from filing cabinets and storage tubs into acid free albums. These albums will provide a dust and light proof storage system, ensuring the images will be protected for many years to come.  

Our plan is to then digitise the photographs, which will add another layer of preservation, and will enable us to more easily these wonderful images with our school community and alumni into the future. 

As a genealogist working in archives, I want to know more about the lives in a document or photograph rather than just the best way to catalogue or store it. I enjoy the research involved and my aim is to bring the stories of the Sisters and alumni out of the archives, and to share them with the community that are following in their footsteps. Some of those stories are sad, some are courageous and some are fascinating. Overwhelmingly though, by the grace of God and the prayers of the nuns, they are stories of success, joy and good humour, and I look forward to sharing them with you over the coming weeks and months.

Olive May Lease

Olive, nicknamed ‘Dolly’, was the only child of Charles and Margaret Lease of Katunga near Numurkah.  Olive never knew her father, as he had passed away from an illness just before she was born. The legacy he had left the family however, enabled Olive to become a boarder at the Brigidine Convent in the late 1890s, where she excelled. 

An article in the Riverine Herald in December 1897, described another successful end of year concert:

“This year breaking-up entertainment by the talented pupils is now looked forward to with keen pleasure and, notwithstanding the hot night, the pretty school room of the convent was well filled.  It was most tastefully decorated for the occasion…the work of the nuns and pupils.  The stage too, is a pretty one, having accessories which would put to blush many public halls. The programme opened with the overture on three pianos ‘Marche Mex’caine’ (Hertz) by Misses Lease, Keating, Skelly…”

The article went on to praise the remainder of the programme, and then the ‘pièce de résistance’ of the evening, a drama in five acts, ‘The Flower of the Holy Wells,’ where Olive played Lady Winefride’s handmaid. 

“Those who have had experience in amateur theatricals have been struck with the fact that the Convent pupils’ pieces are always excellently staged and directed by experienced heads…the good nuns will be to some extent recompensed for their great trouble by the knowledge that their efforts gave the audience the utmost pleasure. The tableau, “The Flower of the Holy Well” was a veritable triumph…The solo on four pianos ‘Carnaval Espaguol’ by Misses Skelly, Kelleher, Coglan and Lease gave ample indication of the technical correctness imparted to these young ladies in their musical tuition.”

It was a successful night for Olive.  She was awarded a prize in Latin and Algebra, and received the prize for Diligence in Instrumental Music. She finished off the night with a performance in the final musical piece, ‘Erin’s Wreath’ playing second violin.  Olive and her fellow boarders would have been looking forward to going home for Christmas, and the summer holidays. 

Lurking in the river so near to the Convent, was a danger that on her return in the new year, would invade Olive’s body causing her to fall seriously ill and finally claim her life on March 23, 1898. Olive was only 12 years and 10 months old, she died at the Convent, nursed devotedly by the Brigidine Sisters. 

An article in the Riverine Herald the previous month had warned of the potential danger:

“Bad Water and Typhoid – it is a very common practice for householders in Echuca to drink the Murray water as it comes from the tap. As the river is now below summer level the following from the Argus should be read and remembered - “In view of the fact that typhoid fever is scouring many of the badly reticulated towns of the interior of the colony, as well as the city of Melbourne itself, Dr Greenwell…advises great care be taken with drinking water”. 

The Echuca Brigidine Convent Annals record her death in a March 23, 1898, entry: 

“Miss Olive Lease died of Typhoid fever after a fortnight illness. She was consecrated Child of Mary on the morning of 23rd at her own earnest request.”

A large crucifix was donated to the school in memory of Olive, by her mother Margaret Lease. The cross was on display in the school Chapel for many years and is now in the school archives.  

Natalie Lonsdale

Archives Manager