Loreto Province Archives, Ballarat, Victoria

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Loreto Province Archives, Ballarat, Victoria

• Loreto Sisters are also known as the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM)

• Religieux

Under the leadership of Gonzaga Barry the Loreto Sisters came to Australia in 1875. They founded schools in five states, of which seven are still thriving – Mary’s Mount, Ballarat (1875), Normanhurst (1897) and Kirribilli (1907) in Sydney, Marryatville in Adelaide (1905), Mandeville Hall, Melbourne (1924), Nedlands in Perth (1931) and Coorparoo in Brisbane (1927).

Two more, Loreto Osborne (1901) and Loreto Portland (1884) have formed local amalgamations and maintain links with their Loreto heritage: John XXIII College in Perth (1977) and Bayview College, Portland (1977). The sisters also taught in more than twenty parish schools, opened the first free Catholic kindergarten in South Melbourne (1912) and provided commercial training for school leavers in Ballarat and South Melbourne.

The Loreto Archives, located at Loreto College Ballarat, holds records of enduring value relating to Australian Loreto foundations, missions and members since 1875. The Archives aims to document and preserve relevant and historically significant records and artefacts and share our cultural heritage within our networks and the wider community.

The central Loreto Archives is located in Ballarat and other collections associated with the Loreto Schools are located around Australia.

Officer in charge: Robin Scott, Province Archivist

Material relating to the IBVM (Loreto Sisters) in Australia.

Founder's diaries and correspondence. Early records of Loreto Convent, Ballara Records of Loreto foundations Photographs of Loreto foundations, sisters and students.

The Loreto Archive Centre holds a collection of historical photographs. These are often used in exhibitions for special events, anniversaries and commemorations that celebrate the influence of Loreto in Australia.

Loreto Archive Centre online exhibitions are available at: https://www.loreto.org.au/about-us/archives/exhibitions/

The ‘Selected Guide to Loreto Archives’ is a research tool providing an introduction to the archival collection of the Loreto Sisters in Australia. It includes records found in the Loreto Archives Centre in Ballarat and records in the Loreto school archives. (See https://www.loreto.org.au/about-us/archives/selected-guide-loreto-archives/)

Contact the Archives.

Access to records is through the custodian of the records, the Loreto Province Archives or one of the Loreto schools. Please contact the custodian of the record for more information.
Access to some records may be restricted due to privacy or confidentiality.

The Archives welcomes researchers and provide research assistance and facilities for students, genealogists, academics and historians. A form is available at https://www.loreto.org.au/about-us/archives/enquiries/ for inquiries.

Copying service available.

• Éducation (Thematic area)
• Religion (Thematic area)