150 on Tour: Loreto College Ballarat

The 150 Years Exhibition commenced its national journey at Loreto College Ballarat—
the birthplace of Loreto in Australia—on Friday, 28 February.

The Opening Mass, celebrated by Fr Justin Driscoll in the front gardens, was set against the backdrop of the College’s historic Chapel, constructed between 1898 and 1902. This Chapel, affectionately termed the "Children’s Chapel" by Mother Gonzaga Barry, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Loreto community.

The Loreto Sisters were central to the ceremony, occupying front-row seats. Sr Denise Desmarchelier ibvm, former Principal (1967–1976), delivered the First Reading, while Sr Trish Franklin ibvm AO, alumna of the Class of 1968, offered a heartfelt Communion Reflection. Members of the Loreto Province Council—Sr Helen Maguire ibvm, Sr Selvi Adaikalam ibvm, Sr Margaret Callaghan ibvm, and Sr Diaan Stuart ibvm—were also in attendance, underscoring the event's significance.

Following the Mass, guests gathered in the Mary’s Mount Centre for morning tea, leading into the official launch of the 150 Years Travelling Exhibition. The morning culminated with a performance of Serious Business—a creative dialogue bridging past and present, which would become a hallmark of the exhibition's tour.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to this memorable commencement, and to the Loreto Sisters, whose vision and dedication continue to inspire the journey ahead.

A large group of students in blue uniforms and blue ribbons seated outdoors on green grass, attending an event or ceremony in front of an old stone building with arched windows, surrounded by flowers and trees.
Three people standing behind a lectern, with a woman reading a paper, in front of a floral arrangement, at a formal event. The woman on the left wears a wide-brimmed hat and white dress, the woman in the middle has short gray hair, glasses, and a bla
An elderly woman with gray hair, glasses, and a colorful floral shirt speaking at a podium during an event at a church or cathedral. There is a microphone in front of her and a sign on her shirt that reads 'Sr Denise Desmarchelier.' The background sh
Statue of a religious figure dressed as a nun with a black headdress, white coif, and a black and white robe, holding a black rosary with a gold cross, inside a church with stained glass windows.
A tall sculpture of a woman wearing a long, colorful dress with a black head covering, displayed in a hallway with arched ceilings, wooden floors, and framed artwork on the walls.
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