Pilgrims of Hope: Beacons of Hope
The theme of the 2025 Jubilee year, Pilgrims of Hope, encourages followers to serve as sources of hope to those around us. We have chosen several figures throughout the history of the Sisters of Charity of Australia who have given hope to the Sisters and those whom they serve.
John Hubert Plunkett, 1802 - 1869, was a friend to the Sisters of Charity in Australia, organising a public appeal to raise funds for their first hospital. Image courtesy of Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, digital order number: gpo1_01382
Preparing for a Home Visit c.1960 Image courtesy of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Archives
Margaret Mines rsc, 1934 – 2021, founded Tree of Hope to provide spiritual, emotional and practical support to those living with HIV/AIDS. Image courtesy of St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Archives
Maureen Walters rsc and Mary Bickman 2009 Maureen Walters rsc (left) and longtime Nursing Unit Manager Mary Bickman celebrating the 30th anniversary of St Augustine’s Ward, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. The Ward is a maximum security in-patient unit that also offers state-wide tertiary services to the Victorian prison population. Image courtesy of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Archives
Sisters of Charity Outreach celebrates 25 years in 2015. Past Executive Directors (left to right) Srs Deirdre Hickey rsc, Mary Maguire rsc, Margaret Fitzgerald rsc and Pauline Nicholson rsc. Image courtesy of St Vincent’s Hospital Open Support.
Phyllis Brady and Veronica Brady rsc were trained at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba in the 1940s. Phyllis Brady remained at the hospital for her working career and ran the surgical ward, whilst Veronica Brady rsc joined the Sisters of Charity before returning to run the home nursing unit. Images courtesy of St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba
The Cottage, a unique treatment centre for people without a permanent residence, was the first of its kind in Australia, It provides care before and after hospital. Left to right: David Campbell, CEO; Clare Nolan rsc, Deputy Chair; Judy McWilliams, RDNS Homeless Person Program; Rod Petrie, St Vincent’s social worker. Image courtesy of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Archives
Catherine O’Connell and Francesca Healy rsc 1960s Sr Catherine O'Connell (left), Sr Francesca Healy and Home Care nurses (at left trained nurses at right nurse trainees). Image courtesy of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Archives