The Early Beginnings

In 1905, when Uki’s land sales first began, Allotments 118 and 119 were purchased in the main street for a Catholic Church. The church’s story took a significant turn when Gerald Parker made a generous donation of land from his farm on Uki’s western outskirts. This spacious parcel would eventually accommodate not just the church, but also a convent, school, playground, and even a horse paddock for the children’s “school ponies”.

Parker’s foresight extended further – he donated additional land that was divided into house blocks. The sale of these blocks, along with the original main street allotments, helped finance the church’s construction.

Building the Church

On 9th June 1911, the Feast of St Columba, Bishop Carroll of Lismore laid the foundation stone. Local resources and craftsmen brought the church to life – timber from the Osborne farm was milled at Newell’s sawmill in Uki, with Mr Alf Modini and Mr Percy Clough serving as builders. Given the primitive state of local roads (mere bullock tracks at the time), a priest’s room was added for overnight accommodation.

The Freeman’s Journal of 4th July 1912 reported a remarkable achievement – the church was built and opened with all funds available beforehand, plus a £600 surplus. The total construction cost was £660.

Early Milestones

• First baptism: August 1912
• First altar boy: P.J. Reynolds, remembered for an unfortunate tumble with the heavy missal
• First wedding: William (Bill) Mills and May Askew, 10th August 1920

The Sisters of St Joseph Era

In 1922, the convent was constructed to welcome the Sisters of St Joseph (the “brown joeys”). The first sisters – Avellino Pola, Theodore Hansen, and Julitta Condon – arrived to establish St Joseph’s School in January 1923. Initially teaching 57 pupils in the church and weather shed, they would wait until 1930-31 for a proper school building, funded by Dick Donoghue and Gerald Parker.

School Life

The school offered both boarding and day attendance, teaching through to Intermediate Certificate level. By 1928, four sisters managed various duties:

• Classroom teaching
• Music instruction
• Boarding house supervision
• Housekeeping

A charming memory from 1945 boarder Marion Roberts tells of the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” plant, where “fairies” would leave named sweets for children overnight.

Notable Features

• Uniforms: One of few South Arm schools requiring uniforms
• Winter: Navy serge box pleat tunics for girls
• Summer: Cotton navy box pleat uniforms
• Boys: Grey shorts with grey shirts (senior boys adding ties)
• Later additions: New classroom and verandah funded by Mrs Julia Dixon of Doon Doon

Final Years of the School

1958 saw the arrival of Sisters Paul Maria Cullerton, Teresa Benedict Burton, and Anita Vagg. The famous Convent Ball, organised with remarkable community cooperation, provided crucial financial support for the sisters.

The school closed in December 1963 due to declining enrolments. Over its 40-year history, more than 600 students received education from infants through to intermediate.

A Special Connection: Sister Berenice Twohill

Born Dympna Twohill near Murwillumbah and educated at St Joseph’s Convent Uki, Sister Berenice’s story includes remarkable service in Rabaul during WWII and later work with the homeless. She celebrated her 100th birthday on 9th November 2016.

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