Our Sisters continue to embrace new chapters of life with resilience, faith and gratitude. In Melbourne, we have Betty McManus, June Dunford, Stancea Vichie, Bernadette Wallis, Pat Kelly, Pat Brain, Marcia McMahon, Julianne Dunne, Corrie van den Bosch, Kath Clune and Bernadette Madden.
June Dunford MSS, 89, and Betty McManus MSS, 95, both live at Regis Residential Care in Blackburn. As the centre caters for Signing Deaf people, Auslan classes have been offered to residents, with both Betty and June taking the opportunity to learn. ‘I just want to be able to acknowledge Deaf people here in their language,’ says Betty, while June adds, ‘I want to be able to connect with Deaf people here.’ They also attend a monthly liturgy service provided by the John Pierce Centre for Deaf ministry.
Marcia McMahon MSS has formed a friendship with Wafa, who is from the Baháʼí faith and Persian culture. After meeting in a local park, the two now gather regularly for prayer, faith sharing and companionship. In Clayton, Kath Clune MSS tends to an impressive indoor garden at home—she currently has 60 pot plants in the house!
Bernadette Madden MSS has been busy with fellow members of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Bayside Branch, joining a group of creative and talented women sewing bags to support people in need across the community (read the full story here).
Further north, Pat Quinn, Margaret Windsham, Cecilia Bailey, Mary Cleary and Nancy Doyle are in Toowoomba, Queensland, while Marie Murphy is in Mackay. Cheryle Thomson remains in Port Pirie, South Australia, and in Tasmania, Lorraine Groves and Frances McShane are in Hobart.
Across the different places they now call home, our Sisters continue to support one another with friendship, faith and hope, embracing each day with the spirit that has long been at the heart of MSS.
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Bernadette Madden (at the ironing table) and friends sewing bags for those in need.
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Catherine Carr and Marie Murphy MSS in Mackay, Queensland.
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Kath Clune with some of her pot plants in Clayton, Victoria.
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Lorraine Groves MSS and Frances McShane MSS in Hobart, Tasmania.
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June Dunford MSS and Betty McManus MSS practicing their AUSLAN.
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Marcia McMahon MSS (right) with Wafa, who is from the Baháʼí faith and Persian culture.
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Bernadette Wallis MSS continues her work in the MSS Archive with Julia Walsh (MSS Archivist in the background)
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Some of the MSS in Melbourne, staff and friends at our 2026 Foundation Day lunch.
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Stancea Vichie MSS speaks at the 25-year anniversary of Fr John Wallis's Death
