Cootamundra U3A have been very active in recent weeks, with two excursions attracting many of the members who carpooled and travelled over to Wagga on 16 September to attend a concert performed by the Kapooka Army Band. The performance was greatly enjoyed by all the attendees, with a mix of superb classic brass performance and a wonderful young piano soloist, still at school, who accompanied the band for the full version of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Her performance was outstanding and very well received by the large audience who were in awe of her skill at the piano. An army corporal also sang several songs as the band played on; another provided a trumpet solo. The hour was filled so quickly and was thoroughly enjoyed by the members and the capacity audience in attendance.
On Wednesday 23rd September, a very beautiful early Spring day, members again organised carpooling and around 22 local members drove over to The St Clement’s Historical Galong Monastery, where they were greeted by the Manager – Sue -, who was the tour guide for the day.
Members were shown into the very beautiful upstairs chapel, where Sue provided detailed history on the original owners of the land, being former convict Ned Ryan and his family, and how it was later bequeathed to the Catholic Church where the Redemptorist Order constructed the Monastery attached to the original Ryan Homestead.
Further, the order also built and established a secondary boys’ school for the training of young men who may, or may not, wish to take up further studies to become priests or brothers. The clergy and the boys then constructed the chapel we sat in, which features an altar and surroundings that look as though all is made of marble. However, we were told that all was actually made of timber with very clever artistry and technique, with brush and paint, giving the structures the exact appearance of marble – what a surprise and discovery, as so many of the group went to tap on the structures to convince themselves it was indeed a timber structure.
Above the chapel, the upper floor, which originally held dormitories and clerical accommodations, has been converted into private rooms with ensuites to cater for various groups regularly attending the Monastery for retreats. Members were not given access to this section.
Following the historical overview, as the group sat in the chapel and then explored its features, Sue then guided the group back downstairs to the detailed museum within the building, which everyone explored, asking questions and viewing the documents and history there within, including the extensive farming history on the property, both before it was bequeathed and then ongoing to provide for the needs of the clergy and the boarding school.
Sue then led us around to the classroom area where the wide corridor overlooks a small courtyard. The beautiful gardens beyond the courtyard beckoned, and the group were able to wander the grounds, which are maintained to a very high standard, view the ponds and the gardens before re-entering the building to view another, less ornate, chapel which we were advised is used regularly for the local Galong community to attend Mass.
The tour wound up in the Dining room where several tables were beautifully set up, and a wonderful roast lunch was served.
As the members broke up to commence the journey home – some to visit the historical cemetery on the way- everyone expressed their thanks to President Mary Donnelly for organising such a special and lovely day.
Cootamundra U3a
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