Religious women set up some of Australia's first schools, but their history remains veiled

St John’s Pro-Cathedral, the Convent of Mercy and the girls’ school in Perth circa 1862. State Library of Western Australia

In a wealthy country like Australia, a time with no government schools seems unimaginable. But back in the 1840s, when the Sisters of Mercy opened the first seconadary school in Western Australia, there were only a few tiny private schools. Many children, particularly girls, received no formal education.

Women religious, or nuns, made education more accessible. Their way of life also offered one of few leadership opportunities for women.