This site aims to provide readers with accurate information about Monte Pio Girls’ Home and Orphanage and to inform past residents of any planned informal reunions.
The last official reunion took place on Sunday, 6 March 2011. However, we have an informal get together on the last Sunday of February each year. See our Reunion page for more information.
The words “Monte Pio” can evoke a variety of emotional responses and memories to all who passed through its doors. Personalities and temperaments, being what they are, no two people share the same experience. Where a Sister, for example, could bring the best out in one girl, she would have an adverse affect on another. Many girls thrived on the Monte Pio regime, while some openly rebelled, and others learned tolerance and acceptance.
The Monte Pio reunions had been an ongoing event since 1990-91, thanks to the dedication and tenacity of Nancy and Anne. We owe these women and their families a tremendous debt of gratitude. Without their efforts and commitment, not only would we have been deprived of a wonderful opportunity to resume past friendships, but also a means of obtaining closure through sharing past memories with people with whom we could relate and who understood our feelings.
The reunions provided past Monte Pio girls and Sisters with a friendly environment in which to indulge in a little nostalgia and an opportunity to discuss and understand each other’s experiences. The reunions also provided a forum whereby girls of different generations could discuss the vast changes in living conditions at the home over its life-span, as well as the social attitudes of the time and opportunities that were afforded them.
We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge with gratitude the efforts of Nancy Champion, Joan Peterson, Freda Newton and Anne Incze whose dedication, commitment and compassion were responsible for the successful organisation of the Monte Pio girls reunions.
Many of the girls at Monte Pio had brothers who attended Murray Dwyer Boys Orphanage, Mayfield; Nancy and Anne just two of the many. Because of the overwhelming success of the Monte Pio reunions, both Nancy and Anne made it their mission to provide the same opportunities to the boys who attended Murray Dwyer and thanks to their efforts the boys of Murray Dwyer have enjoyed a number of wonderful reunions.
Although the official reunions are no longer conducted, an informal meeting occurs at the Cardiff RSL on the final Sunday of February annually. However, with this event we do not send out invitations, reminder emails, or make phone calls. If you would like to attend a get together, all you need to do is circle the date on your calendar and complete the ‘Contact us” form on the Reunion page. To ensure that you are catered for we ask that you complete the “Contact us” form as early as possible so we know how many to book for.
For information relating to the expansion of both Monte Pio Girls’ and Murray Dwyer Boys’ homes and the general routine and living conditions at the homes, click on National Archives found on the drop-down menu under the History tab. You can also read correspondence between the Diocese and the Department of Immigration, concerning the financial position in relation to the building operations at both homes, in order to adequately provide for immigrant children.
General info: there is a tree on the grounds of the Murray Dwyer site that has special importance to the Murray Dwyer boys. As part of negotiations when buying the Murray Dwyer property a representative of BHP gave a commitment that the tree would never be removed… unless it died by natural causes.