Memories came flooding back on the weekend as former residents of two Goulburn orphanages gathered for a reunion.
-
- Goulburn man and former orphanage resident Alan Gilroy with reunion organiser Phil Merrigan. Photo: Michelle Doherty.
-
- Henry Angos was one of the oldest residents to attend Saturday’s reunion. Photo: Michelle Doherty.
-
- Lindsay Chesworth takes up a trip down memory lane looking through some orphanage history. Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Lois Tozer (St Joseph’s 1967-71) travelled from the Gold Coast for the gathering and met up with Vanessa Irving (St Joseph’s and St John’s 1969-76). Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Tanya Crawshaw attended with daughter Anna Kaplantzi. Tanya’s partner, David Farraway and husband Desmond attended St John’s while his sisters, Roslyn and Barbara went to St Joseph’s orphanage. Photo: Louise
-
- Former St Joseph’s and St John’s Orphanage resident Elaine Williams from Canberra was thrilled to catch up with Sister Angela Jordan. Photo: Michelle Doherty.
-
- Maria Chesworth, the wife of former St John’s resident Lindsay Chesworth, Phil Merrigan and wife, Bev. Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Rita Codner with husband Patrick (St John’s Orphanage 1953-64) and Alan Gilroy (St John’s 1941-47). Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Partners of former St John’s and St Joseph’s Orphanage residents, David Ellis of Bethungra and Maree Irving of Canberra. Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Co-owner of the old St Joseph’s Orphanage, Maggie Patterson, served up Orphan’s Cup coffee, specially blended in honour of the building’s history. Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Doug Clark with wife, Roseanne, of Wollongong. Roseanne (nee Currie) was at St Joseph’s from 1951 to 1954. Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Former St John’s residents Graham Sullivan (1956-62) John Spliet (1956-61), Barry Jones and Peter Spliet (1956-61). Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Siblings Darcy, Vanessa and Michael Irving recalled their time at the orphanages at Saturday’s reunion. Photo: Louise Thrower.
-
- Reunion organiser Phil Merrigan with siblings Donna Keys, of Bulli, Lois Tozer from the Gold Coast and Goulburn man Shane Keys (St John’s 1966-73). Photo: Michelle Doherty.
-
- Lindsay and Faye Chesworth. Photo: Michelle Doherty.
-
- Photo: Michelle Doherty.
-
- All together now. Photo: Louise Thrower.
Former Saint John’s Orphanage resident Phil Merrigan started out organising the gatherings for that institution but in recent years has expanded it to include Saint Joseph’s girls Orphanage residents.
“It’s good to see more of the girls coming along,” he said.
Some 90 people gathered on Saturday, March 2 at St Joseph’s on Taralga Road, owned by Maggie and Darryl Patterson. The couple has restored the building and have happily thrown open its doors for the reunions.
This is especially important to the Saint John’s ‘old boys’ given that the Mundy Street institution has been extensively damaged by fire.
“Maggie and Darryl are just beautiful for holding it here,” Mr Merrigan said.
“They’re always happy to have it here.”
Roseanne Clark travelled from Wollongong for the event with husband, Doug. She was at Saint Joseph’s from 1951 to 1954.
“It’s been good to see what’s been happening with the building,” she said.
“Maggie and Darryl are so kind and generous for putting this on.”
Mr Merrigan told The Post that some had attended the reunion for the first time and had difficulty driving up to the building.”
“There are always mixed emotions but it’s a good thing,” Mr Merrigan said.
Both orphanages were operated by the Sisters of Mercy.
The next reunion will be held in 2021.