Senior students at St Joseph’s Primary School Numurkah recently visited the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo, particularly the statue of St Mary of the Cross. The statue was commissioned to celebrate the canonisation of Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first and only canonised saint in 2010.

Mary MacKillop opened St Joseph’s Primary School in 1890 which was the first Josephite School in Victoria. The Sisters of Saint Joseph, otherwise known as the Josephites, are the Sisters co-founded by Mary MacKillop.

What makes this statue even more significant and forever connected to the community of St Joseph’s Primary School and Numurkah, is the photo etched behind the statue. The photo below captures the class of 1924 and was taken outside of Rooms 5 and 6 at the school. Both rooms still stand as is and the Josephite charism and spirit that was captured in that photograph are still present in the community today.

The senior students got the chance to see the statue and photo, for some, it was for the first time. Upon reflection, Cobie Patching and Jemma Davies, two Year 6 students, said “We were so proud to see the photo of our school on such an important statue outside of the Cathedral”.

The date, 1 July 2024, marked 100 years since that photo was taken, and its historical significance and connection to the school and Numurkah will continue long into the future.

Dominic Izzard
Deputy Principal, St Joseph’s Primary School Numurkah, Victoria