MSB Centre History

Every student and staff member who comes through the College understands how much our Good Samaritan heritage inspires and informs the College community. Mount St Benedict College are humbled to be part of the continuing story that began when the Good Samaritan Sisters acquired Regenbah and the land on which the school is built in 1922. Between 1927, when the Novitiate opened, and 1999, 776 women came through the formation program. Two of those women Sr Christine Manning and Sr Elizabeth Brennan visited the College to share their knowledge, memories and stories, creating an oral history of this special place before refurbishment work on the MSB Centre began.

The story of the Centre began with Mother Berchmans McLaughlin, who was renowned for her strength of spirit and determination. She lived with a small group of Good Samaritan Sisters in Regenbah and oversaw the construction of the MSB Centre, a project which took two years. When the Novitiate was officially opened on 27 November 1927, 28 young novices arrived to begin their formation bringing with them a little dog called Laddie.

The Convent (Regenbah) and Novitiate (MSB Centre) were largely self-sufficient thanks to the small dairy, orchard and vegetable gardens surrounding the Centre. Sr Christine reflected on the natural beauty of the grounds and the rural chores of caring for cows and chickens which were a novelty for a city girl like her.

The young women who came to the MSB Centre for formation were seeking God by discerning if their calling was to be a Good Samaritan Sister. In this process of discernment, they spent their days studying, doing chores and in prayer. Education was a theme woven through everything they did. They gathered daily for lectures about The Rule of St Benedict, theology, spirituality and the constitutions of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. They were also preparing to go out into the community after they professed their vows primarily serving the community as teachers. Despite this workload, there was time for recreation and Sr Christine and St Elizabeth recalled with laughter many joyful moments like playing sport, putting on concerts and music practice.

The oral history video is a valuable addition to the College Archive. It brings to life the stories and photos in the College’s collection. A deep love of learning imbues the MSB Centre and will be the thread that connects the young women who studied there as novices and the young women who will study there for learning excellence when the refurbishment is completed in 2023. As Sr Brennan says, ‘Deo Gratias’.