St Joseph's Orphanage (1930).
There are many newspaper articles on Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia about government and religious institutions in Subiaco throughout the early years of Subiaco.
One of those religious institutions is St. Joseph's Orphanage. In 1930 St Joseph's Orphanage had 361 babies and children from the age of a couple of days old to over 16 years of age. The institution accepted babies and children that were homeless and were cared for by Sister Mary Claver and her staff of specially trained sisters from the Sisters of Mercy. The boys stayed there until they were six before being transferred to Clontalf and the girls until about 16 and were able to earn a living. The article encourages people to donate.
The aim of this blog is not to pass value judgement on the work of the people involved but to share the stories published at the time.
This article is from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Swan and Canning Leader, 28 November 1930.
The Gateway of Happiness At Subiaco.
Two ladies were talking of big families. One said: "Oh, my brother has a family of 10." The other replied: "That is common where I come from. A cousin of mine has 16." A little girl standing by said: "That ain't nffin, that ain't. I know a bigger one than that. Sister Mary Claver down to Subiaco has 361, and some of 'em ain't a week old,' I know, cos I seed 'enf last Sunday." No one lady laughed and said, "What does she do with them all?" "Well, you ain't got any av you, she might giv you ope if you liked; they's lovely bids, they is."
Now, all this is true, the good Sister who acts as foster mother, guardian and mother has 361 relying on her for help and assistance, from the three-day-old to those over 16 even. It's a great big job and none but those with, a good great heart could take on this task, but she and her loyal band of carefully trained specialists in the wonderful staff of Sisters do their job and do it well, a love and affection equally a mother's, and for no monetary reward.
The St. Joseph's Orphanage is on historic ground, for it on the site of the first Benedictine foundation in Australia and is called after that great, order, to whom West Australia owes so much; original foundation is in Spain. From Subiaco the good fathers and brothers walked daily to Perth to work on their Cathedral Church and home; their first home was a poor one, very poor; it is still there. When the late Bishop Gibney took over the biggest see in the world he found there were orphans demanding his care, and he asked the Sisters of St. Joseph, of the Convent of Mercy, Victoria Square, to take charge, and what better able than they, for does not the old carol tell us of that first Christmas morn:
"When Joseph was a walking, He heard the angels sing, And Mary's Son at midnight, Was born to be our King. Be glad then all good people, At this time of the year, And light yea all your, candles That his light may shine clear."
This they, although heavily taxed, readily accepted the great burden and have done so for perpetuity. Then later one day, a little infant, not more than two days old, was found placed on their doorstep. They took it in and that became the foundation member of St. Vincent's Foundling Home ,with its 200 little inmates. The boys, when about six, are sent to Clontarf, the girls remain at the orphanage till able to go out and earn a living, but then even are under the personal care, love and guidance, not only of the orphanage Sisters, but also of the very Rev. Mother Bridget, of the Victoria Square House.
Now, all this takes money and goods, and just now the Sisters are hard put to it to, not make ends meet, but get the hard string, near meeting. It is not elastic and won't stretch; they feel the "times but the children must be fed. Now there ace many who would doubtless like to help. Anything from a box of matches to a cow is useful; any eggs, butter, poultry badly needed for the new poultry farm; sheep, pigs, wheat (particularly required), all and everything is useful. Any parcels handed to the railways are carried and delivered free, whilst parcels may be left at the Convent, Victoria Square.
There are no questions asked there as to age, sex, creed, religion, no colour test; to be helpless and homeless is all they ask, and none know the story. We are sure some will find something to help along; it's a good cause and a great one.
These Lovely Kiddies gave a Garden Party last Sunday and 4000 attended.
This trio of Babies beat Bannajher and he beat the band.
