MARY’S MOUNT HISTORICAL WALK

Station J – Oak Tree, Loquat Grove & Rose Garden and Administration Garden

An oak tree, planted from an acorn by Mother Pius in the early years, stands between Loquat Grove and the Art Room, offering shade for nearly 100 years. It is believed to be a descendant of an oak from the mother convent in France.

The Guardian Angel Rose Garden was established in 1986 when the original two-storey school building was demolished. Many roses from the original garden were relocated and continue to thrive. In 1996, a statue of a kneeling Guardian Angel was discovered and placed in the new rose garden. Unfortunately, the statue was stolen in 1999, but the plinth remains, hoping for its return.

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Oak Tree, Loquat Grove & Guardian Angel Rose Garden

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The Administrative Garden

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Oak Tree, Loquat Grove & Rose Garden

Between Loquat Grove, the Nature playground, built and funded by the Parents and Friends between 2018 and 2021 and the Art Room which was the year 3 classrooms until 1986 there is a deciduous tree which has spread its branches and offered shade for nigh on 100 years. An acorn seed was planted by Mother Pius in the very early years and we now have an oak tree that, it is said is a descendent of an oak from the mother convent in France! Try to find an acorn underneath its canopy and take it home and grow it but plant it where it can spread its boughs and drop its leaves in autumn.

Our Guardian Angel Rose Garden was setup in 1986 when the original two-storey school building was demolished because it had become a safety hazard and the cost of renovation was too expensive. There was a magnificent rose garden in front of the original building containing 130 roses and many camellias with a double gated circular driveway allowing easy entry and exit. A benefactor, Mr Ahern, gifted the roses to the Sisters in 1923. However, this area became the site for the new 1986 classrooms and the garden had to go. Luckily many of the roses were shifted to the front of the 1954 building and they thrive there today. Some were removed and sold to families in 1986 and I was able to purchase three, one for each of our sons who attended Mary’s Mount. They bloom profusely in spring and their perfume is like that of the Tea Rose.

In 1996 when the 75th Anniversary preparations were in progress I was fossicking in the garden shed near the massive Moreton Bay Fig tree when I came upon a statue of a kneeling, Guardian Angel. She was white, covered in dust and too heavy for me to move but with a wheelbarrow and a friend we transported her to the school library. There we cleaned and polished her and to our delight she was in perfect condition. Then we set about trying to find out her history. To this day we don’t know who purchased her but Michael Giovinazzo, the gardener at the time said she had been in the big rose garden when he made his First Communion at Mary’s Mount so that made her at least 60 years old. Another ex student who came to the 75th said he had a photo of her in the rose garden, which he later sent to us. So we gave her a new home in a new rose garden with the old roses. Sadly after one long weekend in 1999 we returned to school to find our angel missing. The plinth she knelt on is still in the rose garden and we hope the person who stole her will return her to her home one day so she can ‘watch and pray’ over all those who play in the quadrangle.

The Administration Garden

In front of the Administration block is the latest Mary’s Mount crest incorporating a cross at the top, the double M, the Christian sign of the Fish and the 1970’s Motto TRUTH which speaks to us all to strive always to live in Truth and follow the one true God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Until this week, for many years, it has also been the home of our Lady. This week Mary was moved to her new home in our new Sacred Space.