I have many memories of “Monte”. I was there from about 1966 – 1970. Also for a short time before that.
The mind gets a bit hazy now and then. I remember……
The razzle dazzle; the rocker [some girls rocked so hard and fast it tipped over].
The Wooder girls getting their beautiful long hair cut with a basin shape.
Dancing in the sewing room to the radio; watching TV always with a nun present; lolly night; the TV going upstairs to the ‘big girls” dormitory; the “charges” we older girls had to look after.
Casseroles of just baked beans or fried tomato; sago pudding [I refused to eat and to this day hate with a passion]; flamange; Sister Pia in the kitchen with her fat cat.
Horrible banana sandwiches on stale bread; the pig bucket; saying grace every day; going to church all the time; aprons we had to wear; hearing the nuns coming every morning [you could hear the large rosary beads hitting the leg as they walked].
We had Sister David in charge when my sister and I were there. I knew many nuns when I was there, but I forget their names now.
I also remember – The Fetes; hair washing out in the back tubs; shoe lockers; the large dishwasher; the large laundry and the clothes dryer rails [they were hot]; the heavy floor polishers.
The best thing was the camaraderie with all the girls even to this day. We all know what it was like. I’m sure I have more memories but this is all I can do for now.
Take care
Mary