New Norcia

The College previously for boarding students

I leave Dunsborough at 11:30am and arrive at Mel's unit at 2:30pm.  I haven't stopped but I've nibbled and snacked on the way!  Mel stays the night with me because the next day is a very early start.  Some weeks ago we booked a day tour for New Norcia and the Pinnacles.  We're on our way and we're parked and waiting at the Barrack Street Jetty in the city by 7:30am.  The coach is brand new and we are in the company of a small group of seven. We are the only locals. Chris, our driver is a minefield of local information and history.  Most of the information I already know but there are small gems which I don't.  It's going to be a long day. New Norcia is a two hour drive, 132kms north of Perth.  There is little to keep our attention on the way, besides rolling parched hills and barren wheat fields.  A succession of over-width trailers ferrying mining and farming machines have us pulling off the road onto the verge of the road until they pass.  Some of them have police escorts.  Many years ago a friend stayed at New Norcia for some respite from her large busy family.  She said it had been a time of peace to her soul.  I am here to see what she had seen.   


One of the Chapels

New Norcia began as a mission in 1846 founded by two Spanish monks.  In 1901 New Norcia became a monastic town with the emphasis shifting towards educational and the pastoral needs of the local indigenous population.  Education ceased in 1991 but today schools visit the chapel due to the amazing acoustics.  Many schools have recorded their own CDs.  The school children and staff board at New Norcia bringing much needed funds to the monastery.  Monks and a small group of nuns continue to live here.


The original Abbey Church

The town is privately owned and sprawls in every direction.  There is an old hotel, the school, the chapel, the monastery itself.  New Norcia is also well known for its scrumptious bakery.   Morning tea includes their delicious hot cross buns.  Mel and I buy fruit bread and we savour every delicious bite of fruit and nuts!

 Paula takes us on a tour of the town including the chapel, sharing its amazing history of how it was built from local materials and how it was preserved with a  plaster type coating and raised graffiti.   We are welcomed into the abbey before touring the art gallery and museum.  It is a truly amazing historical place, a place most unusual in our hot arid wheat belt.
 We are only there for an hour or so and I do not find the spiritual peace my friend enjoyed.  I am sure a longer period of time and reflection would be the answer.   I will never know.  I have seen,  enjoyed and learnt on our short time here.   I take photos of the buildings, of Mel and before long we are on our way to our next destination.