From the Principal

By Michelle Brodrick

Our Global Loreto Community

On 24 September, 1875, Mother Mary Gonzaga Barry held the first Mass at Loreto Abbey, Mary’s Mount, marking the beginning of a bold and visionary chapter in girls’ education in Ballarat. Her commitment to innovative, holistic education laid the foundation for what would become a nationwide network of Loreto schools, each dedicated to empowering young women through learning, leadership, and faith.

Today, 150 years later, we honour this legacy through Gonzaga Barry Day (GB Day)—a celebration of our traditions, our founder, and the enduring value of girls’ education. This year, Mother Gonzaga was formally recognised as a Trailblazer in the 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women, acknowledging her transformative impact on education in Australia. She established schools, teacher training colleges, and the first residential college for women at the University of Melbourne, driven by her belief that “there is no subject of greater, perhaps as great, importance to a nation as that of its women’s education.”

This legacy continues to thrive—not only in Australia but across the globe. During a recent visit to Timor Leste, I witnessed the profound work of the Loreto Sisters and the impact of Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA), the development agency of the Loreto Sisters in Australia. MWIA supports education and community development projects in Timor Leste and other regions, and every Loreto school in Australia contributes to this mission through fundraising and advocacy.

One of the most moving experiences was visiting Centro Loreto near Baucau, where I was greeted by four- and five-year-old children in Loreto uniforms, singing and dancing with joy. Their pride and enthusiasm was reflected in the learning taking place in the nurturing environment created by the staff and the transformative power of early education. Sr Selvi Adaikalam leads the community, working in formation with young women discerning their vocation. The strength and warmth of Sr Selvi was a true reflection of the Loreto spirit. 

Whilst near Baucau, I spent time with the Loreto Sisters’ at home in Ostico, sharing a meal with Sr Selvi, Sr Margaret Mary Flynn, and the aspirants and postulants.  I also was able to visit other religious communities alongside the Loreto community, including the Marist Brothers and Canossian Sisters. A highlight was attending the opening of a new Marist school in Lautem and a new Marist Village in Triloka—joyful celebrations filled with traditional dancing and singing. These projects are a culmination of dedication and passion involving local leaders and religious leaders, Australian architects and a connected community. 

The past weeks have been a powerful reminder of the reach of our community supporting MWIA on Gonzaga Barry Day, allowing us to support women and children to work with each other to achieve goals. Through our collective efforts, we help build futures filled with hope, dignity, and opportunity—just as Mother Gonzaga Barry envisioned 150 years ago.