Ritual – Siena College

RITUAL

Transfer of Property to Dominican Education Australia

The Dominican Sisters arrived in Camberwell at the invitation of the Dominican Fathers on 14 August in 1926.  Today we mark the unfolding mission, in entrusting the custodianship of Siena College to Dominican Education Australia.  This signifies a change in the role of the Dominican Sisters, from one of responsibility to one of accompaniment – we continue this journey together but in a different way.

We remember the dedicated Dominican women who founded and nurtured this community ministry.  We acknowledge the staff, parents and community workers without whom this mission could not have flourished.

When the sisters came to Camberwell, they were received at the Priory where the Mass bell was peeled.  The sisters moved into a small, two-bedroom house on Riversdale Road, on the site of the now Siena College. Electricity was not installed until 17 August! The cost of the house and land was $2, 500. The sisters lived here until the completion of the Convent in 1939.

The convent, and later the College was named ‘Siena’ at the request of the Dominican Provincial, Fr Powell. This represented his love for Siena Convent, Drogheda, a contemplative community in Ireland still in existence today.

Siena Convent opened its doors to its first 13 students on 6 February 1940 with thirteen pupils.

While the closing of this era brings a sadness, we embrace the opportunity to entrust Siena College to the Trustees of Dominican Education Australia, so that they may carry on the mission of the Gospel. Our blessing and prayers will be with all who continue this work in the of  St Dominic.

As a symbolic gesture of our shared story and for historical purposes, we present to Siena College, a plaque as a symbol of the story we have shared.