New Norcia
New Norcia is the only monastic town in Australia.
Built in 1927 and nestled beneath gum trees on a rise overlooking the township The New Norcia Hotel was originally a hostel for the parents of the boarders at the New Norcia colleges.
On 1 March 1846, a Benedictine mission to the local aborigines was started about 8 km to the north, led by the two Spanish Benedictines, Rosendo Salvado and Joseph Serra. Within a year the mission was moved to where the town is today, and on 1 March 1847 the foundation stone of the monastery was laid. The place was named New Norcia, after Norcia in Italy, the birthplace of St Benedict.
The town of New Norcia has buildings in a Spanish style of architecture, along with some other historical sites. Among these are the two old boarding schools, St Ildephonsus’ and St Gertrude’s.
St Ildephonsus’ Boys’ School
Since working for Paul at Severn Gas Pumps, I always take notice of the older gas pumps everywhere I go. This one he tells me is an unusual Wayne Pump.
Would you believe this is the outside of the…
…handball courts??
It was right about here in our walk that I saw a bird. John and I were walking together, and I guess John didn’t see it. The bird came straight at us. Better said, straight at ME! Years of elementary school dodge ball paid off, I was able to duck before it swooped me even closer. Soon enough, we saw that it was a magpie, famous for protecting their nests, but it wasn’t yet spring, so we were surprised. It came at us both again and again, until we left its territory.
The Abbey Church, which contains the tomb of Dom Rosendo Salvado. In the Abbey Church of the Holy Trinity is a large 35 rank German organ, built in 1922 by Albert Moser of Munich. The organ was designed in consultation with the abbey organist, Dom Moreno
The last Spanish Benedictine monk of New Norcia died on 18 January 2010, aged 99. He continued to prepare the bread for the monks and olive oil almost upon his death.
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[…] Sacred ibis, black swans and numerous duck species can be seen during the wetter months and a bird hide and lookout have been established adjacent to the swamp to enhance visitor viewing. First bird, a heron. We didn’t get too close, but they kept flying away. They are pretty in flight, though. We saw some Australian (Sacred) Ibis. We walked around some, but came back to the bird hide area. Not a huge success at the bird hide. As we were leaving, I couldn’t help get a photo of this innocent looking magpie, remembering the one who viciously tried to attack me in New Norcia. […]