MARY’S MOUNT HISTORICAL WALK

Station D – Orchard Site and Swimming Pool & Our New Sacred Space

The Mary’s Mount land was bordered by Davies Cres, Noel Rd, College Rd, and a valley leading to Faye Cres. After selling the school in 1974, the Sisters retained the valley block. Initially, a freshwater spring-fed swimming pool was used as a dam for irrigation in 1948, and a new pool was built nearby. The area also housed a cow and later goats for grass control.

By the 1980s, the pool and orchard fell into disrepair, and horses were used to manage the grass. The school continued using water from the dam for gardens. In the late 1990s, the valley was subdivided into Public Open Space, offering views of the city, airport, and remnants of the dam and pool.

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The Cottage and Laundry

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Our New Sacred Space

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Orchard Site and Swimming Pool

Originally the Mary’s Mount block of land was bordered on the East by Davies Cres, on the North by Noel Rd, on the south by College Rd and on the west by the little valley that goes through to Faye Cres. When the Sisters sold the school to the three Parishes in 1974 they kept the valley block. In earlier years at the site of a freshwater spring a swimming pool had been developed however in 1948 this was used as a dam to irrigate the orchard and vegetable gardens and a bigger and better pool was constructed nearby. This was where the sisters kept a cow for milk and later in the 1970’s a couple of goats were tethered to keep the grass down. By the 1980’s the pool and orchard had fallen in to disrepair and the Sisters allowed us to agist two of our horses there to keep the grass down in summer. There was always plenty of water in the little dam and the school was still pumping water up from it for the gardens.

In the late 1990’s the Sisters subdivided the remainder of the block and the valley became Public Open Space. But a walk down there gives an interesting view of the city, airport and remnants of the dam and pool where many boys and Sisters once cooled off in the summer heat of the hills.

New Sacred Space

In 1946, the Sisters and boys built a Grotto for Rosary, prayer, and outdoor Masses, using local rock. It was blessed and opened in 1947 but was demolished in 1996 due to safety concerns. The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes from the Grotto was relocated to the school entrance, where it stands in a rose garden.
Part of the Terrazzo Altar from the original Grotto was saved and, along with the statue, has been incorporated into a new Sacred Space built for the 100th Anniversary in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.