From Barbara Kowalski, Archivist of the Area of Australia
In our archive we have a brass plaque that used to be mounted on the lodge at the entrance to the FCJ school situated at The Vaucluse, Richmond. Some time around 1977 the plaque was stolen and went missing for many years until it was found returned under a hedge in December 1986.
The piece at the bottom of the plaque had been added when Mother Philomena Hartigan’s name was replaced by “Rev Mother”, rather than the Principal’s name (M Hartigan was Principal from 1910 to 1920). Certainly easier than replacing the plaque whenever a new Principal was appointed.
Vaucluse was the first school founded in Australia by the FCJ Sisters, operating from 1882 to December 2000. Originally called Mount St Joseph College, it later became known as Vaucluse, apparently because it was always being confused with St Joseph’s Convent, home of the Sisters of St Joseph in North Richmond. The Vaucluse buildings now belong to St Kevin’s College and house the Year 9 Waterford campus.
