Goldfields girls' school entered on heritage register

22/7/94

The first boarding school for girls in the Goldfields - the former St Anthony's Convent of Mercy in Coolgardie - has been permanently entered on the register of heritage places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said today the convent was worthy of the full protection of the State's heritage laws.

Described as 'architecturally elegant and visually impressive' by the Heritage Council of WA, the convent was originally entered on the register on an interim basis in 1992.

A two-storey brick, stucco and iron building designed by Michael Cavanagh, the convent was one of the first major buildings constructed in Coolgardie during the Goldrush.

The Sisters of Mercy convent was built in 1903 to meet the demand of a rapidly-growing Roman Catholic community in the region.

"The convent is closely associated with the growth in prosperity and the establishment of a permanent population in the Eastern Goldfields," Mr Lewis said.

The convent closed in 1979, but reopened a year later as the Christian Aboriginal Parents School - the only Christian Aboriginal directed school in Australia.

The convent received a $15,000 restoration grant under the National Estates Grants Program, which is administered by the Heritage Council on behalf of the Federal Government.

Media contact:  Tony Robertson  222 9595