Mother Margaret Mary Burke csb

My first memories of Mother Margaret Mary Bourke are of an austere woman who glided along the Kilbreda Colonnade arms folded in front with her hands disappearing into the cavernous sleeves of her habit. She seemed to me to seldom smile, to know each student by name and to have the respect of most. As a new, grade six student I became intrigued by this woman. Her quiet presence was powerful; girls slowed to a walk, lowered their voices, nodded or greeted her without hesitation. Looking back she must have spent most recess and lunch times walking along the colonnade. She missed little and was well informed of behaviours both in the grounds and along the shopping strip.

I came to know her, or rather she to know me, very quickly mostly due to my mother’s involvement at Kilbreda and my father’s support of the sisters. Our encounters were always positive and even when called to the parlour by Mother Margaret Mary I was always confident it would somehow be related to my mother and not to behaviour unfitting for a lady.

Over my years at Kilbreda she was instrumental in guiding and mentoring me to gain confidence, to express my opinions and to see the role of women in society as important. She entrusted me with small tasks of responsibility which slowly increased in the degree of responsibility and enabled me to contribute to my environment.

At the end of my Intermediate year Mother Margaret Mary had a short conversation with me that was to change the whole direction of my life. I was enrolled at RMIT to undertake a Business Course the following year. This was not my dream but being the eldest of four children I believed that it must have been too expensive for my parents for me to continue at Kilbreda. I was sitting on the Colonnade studying for a French exam when she approached me and said she was disappointed that I was leaving Kilbreda and didn’t believe this was what I really wanted to do. She then asked me what my dream was. I replied that it was to become a teacher but that I felt that my parents needed me to leave even though I had never discussed my dream or the reasons that I was to leave Kilbreda with them. I am forever grateful that this wise woman intervened at this point in my life.

When I arrived home that afternoon my mother asked how I felt about going to RMIT, my response would have lacked enthusiasm. I was then informed that the enrolment had been cancelled, that I would be returning to Kilbreda and that both she and dad would support my endeavours to become a teacher. I learned that immediately following our conversation Mother Margaret Mary had phoned my mother ensuring that I would continue my education at Kilbreda.

When the time came I applied to the Brigidine Teacher Training College and later learned from Mother Perpetua that she had been reluctant to accept me as I was running three Irish Dancing classes and felt I would not be dedicated enough to my studies. Mother Margaret Mary had another conversation and I was accepted into the College.

I often reflect on that conversation on the Colonnade and wish I had expressed my gratitude to Mother Margaret Mary more adequately. My life personally and professionally has been strongly tied to the amazing Brigidine women, women of strength and kindliness.

Denise Leonard nee Morrissey