The McQuoin Park Retirement Living Village community was delighted to help fellow resident, Sister Betty, celebrate her 90th birthday recently. Affectionately nicknamed ‘our living gem’, Sr Betty is one of the dedicated Sisters of Mercy who carried out the congregation’s ministry in Sydney.
“For my 90th birthday, Vanessa (Village Manager at McQuoin Park) kindly organised a celebration with fellow residents and staff,” says Sister Betty. “We enjoyed a lovely morning tea with a selection of sweets and cakes to mark the milestone.”
Sr Betty trained and obtained her Diploma in Teaching Certificate in 1958, and a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Religious Education during the late 1970s. She was involved in teaching primary school classes in Waitara and also taught at a school in North Ryde, whilst residing at ‘Masalou’ (at Monte Sant’ Angelo).
Sr Betty remembers her days teaching fondly and comments; “I taught all the major subjects including mathematics, English, science and history. I really enjoyed my days of teaching”. Sr Conway recounted a funny anecdote; “The young boys would come out for a break between classes and be attacked by a flock of plovers!”.
Sr Betty is currently enjoying her time residing at McQuoin Park Retirement Living Village, having been there for just under a year now. She enjoys the freedom and independent lifestyle. “I use the on site pool for exercise regularly and have been learning to drive and operate my own scooter around the village,” says Sr Betty.
The Sisters of Mercy is a religious order founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland in 1831. The eastern shores of Australia became part of the global Mercy story when Sr Ursula Frayne came from Perth to Melbourne and when the Bathurst Sisters joined Elizabeth McQuion in the Rocks, Sydney in 1866. A number of schools were opened in Sydney. The congregation’s mission involved nursing and welfare as well as education.
In 1897, Mother Aloysius Casey established an orphanage at Waitara on what was then the outskirts of Sydney. There was a social need for people to care for foundlings and destitute children. Waitara was recognised and registered as a Training School for Mothercraft Nurses.
Pictured above: A photo of the late Sister Mother Aloysius Casey
In the 1970s, the Waitara home became the Mercy Family Life Centre where children, aged care, welfare and counselling services were provided. In 2001, the congregation decided it would not be able to continue to operate some of the services it provided at Waitara and a transfer of the services was made to Centacare, Broken Bay.
The ministry now left was aged care with respite care and care of women in crisis. Some years passed before a provider was named. Catholic Healthcare Limited has been responsible for these Mercy works since.
The part of the original site fronting the Pacific Highway is now the McQuoin Park Retirement Living Village and Residential Aged Care Home. Named after Sr McQuoin, the site still upholds the Sisters of Mercy’s legacy and values – including a devotion to compassion and kindness to those ‘in need’ in the community. One of the retirement village buildings is called ‘Casey’.
Top of page: Sister Betty Conway standing next to a photo of the late Sister Mother Aloysius Casey, who helped lead the Sisters of Mercy in their pioneer work in North Sydney
McQuion Park is a premium Retirement Living Village that offers luxurious and spacious apartments. There are a wide variety of activities and amenities on offer for residents to engage in at the Village including exercise programs, arts and crafts programs and an on site Wellness Centre.
McQuoin Park Residential Aged Care is a premium Home offering spacious, light-filled bedrooms, communal areas and exceptional care. Residents can choose to engage in the many on site activities on offer and have access to a café, chapel and activity rooms.
If you would like some more information on McQuion Park call us on 1800 225 474