The history and heritage that is New Norcia

New Norcia is home to one of the most diverse collections of historic items and materials in Western Australia. Founded in 1947 by Spanish Benedictine monks as a mission to Aboriginal people, it is Australia’s only monastic town.

Additional to its distinctive buildings, New Norcia houses an extensive archive spanning the 163 years of its existence; a library of over 80,000 volumes; a major religious art collection; and a museum collection that covers the full range of life from the earliest days of the settlement. With 27 of its 69 buildings classified by the National Trust, the township is a “distributed museum”, with many artifacts located in the buildings in which they were originally used.

Carmel Ross, CEO of New Norcia, will present an illustrated briefing on the rich and diverse history and heritage that is New Norcia.

A welcome and introduction to Mercedes College will be given by the college Principal, Sheena Barber.
Note: on street parking only.

Directions: visitors can enter the College through the first set of double green gates on the left after turning into Goderich St from Hill St. Look for the college buses parked behind the main car park. Head towards the buses and then keep walking between the buildings, in front of the new construction work, to reach the Administration Office. The library is to the right of the Admin entrance.
Caution: school finishes at 3:30 and so there will be people trying to get out as visitors are trying to get in!