Mother Mary Gonzaga Barry

Mother Mary Gonzaga Barry came from Ireland to Ballarat in 1875, leading the first group of Loreto Sisters to the Australian colonies.

She was determined to bring quality education to local girls, and opened kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and teacher training colleges.

The Loreto network of schools was quickly established in Ballarat and, soon after, in other states.

Mother Gonzaga wanted the schools to produce well-informed women of faith and integrity who could make a positive difference in whatever field they chose. She saw potential in every student and was committed to assisting those experiencing disadvantage.

Her students took classes in music and drama, science and astronomy, literature and mathematics.

She told them to 'leave after you something on which others may build'. She encouraged them to make their own mark in the world, by not settling for the stereotypes of women.

Mother Gonzaga worked across finance, property acquisition, social justice issues and church politics.

She was Deaf and travelled widely, gathering and sharing information on the latest developments in education. She wrote: 'There is no subject of greater, perhaps as great, importance to a nation as that of its women’s education.’

Mother Gonzaga was a friend and colleague of Mother Mary MacKillop. She passed away in Ballarat in 1915.

In 2025, the Loreto network of schools around Australia celebrated 150 years of her legacy.