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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 18, 1 May 1902, Page 6

Tne new convent of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Abbotsford^ Melbourne, was opened on Sunday, April lj. It is said to be the finest institution of its kind in these Colonies. The grounds of the institution consist of about o0 acres of fertile land on the banks of the Yarra. A krge gathering of Catholic and non-Catholic sympathisers participated in the formal opening of the new convent Ihe work carried on by the Sitters in the cause of poor and unfortunate humanity had mown to such gigan'ic proportions that the new building btcame necessary, as the !>ist< rs had for yearn accepted uncomplainingly wretched awnmir.odation. Towards the cost of the new convent the recent WoiLl's Fair contributed no less thau .£12,18} 10s 7<i. 'ihe mere formality of declaring the buildings open was L>st iv the more ceremonious thanksgiving which marked tbc occasion G aiitnde and congratulations were the keynotes of all the speaUeis, from the Ai oh bishop of Melbourne downwards II ib Grace o cupud a seat on a dai«. in what id to be the workroom of the new institution, and supporting him were Mr Trenwith (Chief Secretary and Minister for Railways), Councillor Aumont (Mayor of Colhngwood), Rev. W. Quilter (St. Francis), and Mr N Fitzgerald, M.LC. Dr. Ryan, in proposing the adoption of the report and balance-sheet of the World's Fair Committee, referred amid hearty applause, to the valuable support which they had received from people outside the Catholic denomination, and made special mention of his Excellency the Governor-General, the Mayor of Melbourne (Sir Samuel Gillott) and Sir Malcolm M'Eacharn Mr. Irenwith seconded the motion. The great success which had attended the fair showed, he said, splendid liberality on the part of the public, and unflagging industry and devotion on the part of the promoters and assistants. As Chief Secretary of Victoria it had been his privilege, as well as duty, to make himeelf aequsinied with the work the Sisters were doing. For years past those ladies had tenderly cared for broken down old women, wrecks on the ocean of life, and from what he had himself observed their lot in the institution was of a kind to excite envy in the minds of many persons who were not exactly of the very poorest. In the orphanage branch be had seen 200 little children, looking healthy, rosy, and happy, and what pleased him greatly, bearing in their appearance no evidence of a charitable institution. There was no regulation uniform but all were dressed brightly and prettily. The enthusiasm shown by Catholics in supporting their institutions might well, he thought serve as an example to other denominations.