HERITAGE

Founding Sisters at Lochinvar

SISTER AMBROSE JOSEPH DIRKIN

Annie Dirkin, known as Sister Ambrose Joseph, was the young woman to lead the pioneer sisters to Lochinvar in 1883, to establish the Sisters of St Joseph in the Diocese of Maitland. Sister was born in Ireland on the 8th June 1859. Her parents, Matthew Dirkin and Mary Anne Larkin came to Australia in the gold rush days and settled at Tichborne near Parkes in New South Wales.

Annie met Father Woods on his missionary travels in the Forbes district and in June 1880 she entered with the Sisters of St Joseph at Perthville and was professed in January 1882. In August 1883 she left Bathurst with her three companions to make the foundation at Lochinvar.

Sister Ambrose Joseph held the office of Sister Guardian till 1890. During that time the institute had grown rapidly and branch convents had been established in several places in the local area. Sister Ambrose Joseph spent some time in Carrington till she transferred to Tasmania where she worked in many areas. In 1898 she was elected Sister Guardian of the Tasmanian foundation till 1904.

She visited Lochinvar in 1914 and again in 1933 to celebrate special occasions with the sisters. Sister Ambrose Joseph Dirkin died in Tasmania in 1948. She is buried in Cornelia Bay.