To Broome and Back!: Day 93. New Norcia. 12/08/2015

A lovely sunny morning but quite cold, and a lot of moisture in the air from a very cold night. We braved the cold (or so we think it is cold after the wonderful warm temperatures of the past 4 months), to prepare for our meeting up with Ellen and Doug who were driving up from Fremantle to join us on the tour of the Benedictine community. They arrived on time and whilst we were waiting for the commencement of the tour we browsed the Museum gift shop and the Museum/Art Gallery. We saw some fascinating artefacts of the Monks and Ellen and I were amazed by the collection of homeopathic products that the founding Monk brought with him from Spain back in 1847. The Galleries featured religious artworks by European masters and Australian contemporary artists and a beautiful display of botanist drawings by Charles Gardner.

The Monks are still providing the fruit/producing Olive Oil, Abbey Wines, Bread, Nut Cake, Biscotti and Dom Salvado Pan Chocolate. We purchased some Abbey Bread and a bottle of Abbey Muscat Wine.

The land holdings of the Benedictine Order here in New Norcia is immense. Originally the holdings were some 3 million hectares but now are only 1 million and their main source of income is from the Merino sheep farmed on the farm. New Norcia’s founder, Rosendo Salvado, was a very adventurous monk who cared deeply for his fellow man. He did not discriminate between white or black races, and was also very caring of women.

We learnt that during the early stages of the community there were about 70 monks living and working here but now there are only 11 monks. During the unique history of New Norcia the founding Monks were responsible in setting up housing, schooling and general welfare programs for the Aboriginals of New Norcia Mission Village. In return, the men worked in the fields along side the monks, growing the crops, and helping with the construction of the many buildings that were erected.

The tour was very comprehensive and we visited the Monastery where the Benedictine monks have been housed since the site was founded in 1847. They pray 6 times a day and speak to nobody after 9 p.m. at night until 5.15 am. We entered the buildings of St. Gertrude’s College and St. Ildephonsus College that over the years have been separate colleges for girls and boys. The Abbey Church has the marble tomb of New Norcia’s founder Roslendo Salvado. He actually died whilst on a trip back to Italy and was buried in Rome, but the New Norcia’s community and the Aboriginals insisted that his body be returned to Australia and so it was. All the college buildings have their own Chapels with interesting decoration and fittings. Whilst we were in the Abbey Church we were lucky enough to be treated to a demonstration on the huge Moser organ that was crafted in Germany and imported to New Norcia in the 1920’s. The sound coming from that organ was unbelievable.

We also visited the old flour mill that is no longer in operation but it is fascinating because of the amazing old equipment that the Monks had to operate to supply the bread requirements of the community.

All the College buildings are now used for various workshops, retreats, conferences, school camps and special events.

It was a great tour and our guide was excellent.

We then had lunch at the New Norcia Hotel also owned by the Monks. John and Doug sampled the Abby Ale and felt it could easily get you into trouble. 7% proof with a taste of honey.

A cuppa with Ellen and Doug back at the cricket ground before they returned to Fremantle where we will catch up during the next week.

A pre pack for an early start to our next stop at the Big4 just South of Fremantle.