Sisters of St John of God

Heritage Centre—Broome

Issue 10— November 2010 Sisters of St John of God Heritage Centre 1

9 Barker St, PO Box 7442, Broome WA 6725

Tel:9192 3950 Email: ssjgheritagekimberley@westnet.com.au

Bungarun violin off to Canberra and Dublin!!

On Thursday 18 November a small group gathered at the Bell Corner of the Old Convent verandah to

bid farewell to the violin that has been on display in the Relationships Exhibition. Gabby Dolby

showed some of his flare of yesteryear as he recounted memories of his time playing in the Bungarun

Orchestra. Baamba and Gabby led a sing-a-long accompanied by the much adored violin!!

We are very honoured that the violin has been chosen as an exhibit in a major exhibition called ‘Irish in

Australia’ which will open to the public on the 17 March 2011. After four months in Canberra the

exhibition will then relocate to Dublin, Ireland. We have also provided a couple of photos relevant to

the Kimberley Founding Sisters and to the Bungarun Orchestra.

Before anyone panics we need to assure you that we expect the violin to return to the Relationships

Exhibition in mid 2012. We could not refuse to share such a wonderful treasure and the important

story that travels with the violin. Thanks to Sr Camille Poidevin for caring for the violin for so many

years and then donating it to the Heritage Centre to enrich the Bungarun display.

Stephen Baamba Albert and Gabby Dolby - two talented musicians

Issue 10— November 2010 Sisters of St John of God Heritage Centre 2

Wishing all our volunteers, sponsors, friends and supporters a

Holy and Happy Christmas

Film Making for ‘Irish in Australia’

Debbie and Rosie collecting items left from the former

jetty at ‘The Landing’ where the nine Founding Sisters

arrived in 1907 before getting on the bullock wagon to go

to Beagle Bay Mission. Doris (top left) is pointing out the

well; ‘curly bricks’ are foundations of old storage shed.

Fr Dan O’Donovan sharing memories of the

Sisters with film crew and Beagle Bay people.

The National Museum asked the Heritage Centre to support the making of a one hour documentary

relating to the story behind the heritage items to be displayed in the ‘Irish in Australia’ exhibition. Apart

from filming the violin sequence, the Bearcage Production film crew spent one day in Beagle Bay as

part of their journey around Australia.

Sr Pat with the film crew and Beagle Bay Community volunteers who provided stories and acted as

guides to ‘The Landing’ where the Sisters arrived in 1907. This was followed by a visit to Sr

Bernadette’s cross which was placed on the marsh where she was found in August 2007 before finally

guiding everyone to the Sisters section of the cemetery and the Church.

L-R: Sr Pat Rhatigan, Albert Bevan-Wiggan and son Zirren, Doris Victor, Esther Bevan, Rosemary

Nunju, Corbyn Bevan, Deborah Sebastian with the film crew. Photo taken by Gwen Bucknall