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Published: September 26th 2011
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Mullewa Catholic Church 1
MS Hayes designed and built a number of churches from Geralton and inland in the early 1920s and 30s. Many think this church is one of his best. He generally built in local stone and timber. The Australian outback cultural history since the arrival of Europeans is generally thought of as settlers battering heat and adversity in a hostile environment. Closely associated with this is the heavy drinking guys - miners and farmers etc.
European culture has placed an overlay that seems incongruous with the harsh country. The Catholic Church established many mission centres in WA. In the region behind Geralton there seems to be a couple of highlights. In the early 1900 MS Hayes, an itinerant Catholic Proest built a number of churches accross the inland towns as well in Geralton itself. His skill at designing and building these churches are well worthy of recognition irrespective of ones beliefs.
The other outstanding centre is New Norcica, Australia's only Benedictine town.
When I look at the history it is sad to see at this settlement the segregation of the races. Aboriginal children given limited education focusing on basic reading and maths, and skills training to be home servants for the girls and trade skills to work on rural properties for the boys. The schools, although adjacent are like chalk and cheese. While good intentions may have been to move the aboriginal children forward, one cannot
help but think that this was the source of cheap labour for the enormous land allocations given to the Benedictine monks.
From the 1970s the schools progressively closed, and now host education courses for schools and other entities that promote the value of diversity and equality. So there are 4 schools empty, each with their own three story design featuring Hospitality, Education & Research and Peace. The Latin word PAX is central to the Benedictine philosophy. Pax = Peace.
So we have buildings built from the 1840s through to early 1900s.
On our tour we were able to see in a number of the Chapels used by the Monks, the local community and the european schools.
Enjoy the pictures below of this very spannish styled buildings in outback WA.
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