After 144 years, St Joseph’s Convent, North Goulburn has begun a new life as an extension of the aged care provided by Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT).
On 11 February 2026, over 100 people gathered to mark this occasion blessed at the beginning by First Nations elders in a smoking ceremony on the lawn in front of the chapel, as a symbol of healing. The planting of two magnolia trees in the front garden of the Convent grounds followed. Sr Josephine Dubiel (Congregational Leader), Caroline Waldron (Chair of the Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT Board), Srs Anne Porter and Noelene Quinane, using shiny gold shovels prepared the soil for planting.
We then moved to the Julian Tenison Woods room of the Convent for a series of speeches and a final blessing by Fr Richard Thompson, Vicar-General of the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese. Special features included warm words of appreciation to the Sisters by the four school captains from the adjacent St Joseph’s Primary School, accompanied by their principal, Matthew Mullins.
Speaking at the event, Congregational Leader Sr Josephine Dubiel shared that the Convent had been ‘home’ to at least 450 Sisters over the last 144 years. It was also a girls’ boarding school for many years so ‘home’ to several thousand children for periods of a time.
“Sisters came to the Convent, then after some formation and training they responded to the invitation commonly known as ‘going where the work is waiting’”, said Sr Josephine. “From Goulburn, they went to where they were needed, scattered throughout the Diocese of Canberra Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, up to Papua New Guinea, and lots of places in between.
“Wherever the Sisters were, they were highly regarded and appreciated as educators, as music teachers, for their work in the parishes, in spirituality. But they didn’t do it on their own. They were always surrounded by their local community. They would visit the people, the sick, the lonely, the housebound, and the aged.
“We thank the Sisters of St Joseph Goulburn and look forward to the site continuing to serve the community with aged care and social services under the stewardship of Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT).”
The Sisters of Saint Joseph’s new Congregational Leadership Team, local clergy, Sisters of Mercy, former members of staff, ex-students and friends of the Sisters, the Goulburn Mayor and members of the City Council, were among those who attended the ceremony as well as almost all of the former Goulburn Sisters.
What moved me most in the presentations by Southern Cross Care representatives, was their deep, sincere and repeated expressions of gratitude to the Sisters for their years of service and the commitment from Southern Cross Care to continue our legacy of care, compassion and connection.
After the official part of the ceremony finished, we enjoyed a generous serving of finger food presented and served by Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) staff. We went on our way with hearts overflowing with gratitude that our former ‘home’ is moving forward to a bright future. A sincere word of thanks to all those involved in making this significant event happen.
Sr Kerrie Cusack rsj
Read more published by the Catholic Voice (Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn publication) here.
