History of Rosemount Programs

 

The Good Shepherd Sisters trace their origin to a society founded by St. John Eudes. This was the congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge established in 1641 in France in Caen. It was set up at the instigation of Madeline Lamy. She had expressed concern to John Eudes about the fate of young girls who "were being lost for want of proper supervision and control".

Between 1642 and 1724 some eight convents and refuges were opened. The general suppression of religious organisations which followed the French Revolution resulted in the closing of some of these convents. However, five Sisters who had survived opened a boarding school for girls at Tours in 1804.

Rose Virginie Pelletier became aware of the refuge at Tours while attending a school nearby. She became interested in the work of the Sisters and indicated a willingness to join them. Her involvement was opposed by her family since they thought that the work of this unfashionable and struggling community was unbecoming. They did not approve of her undertaking a work that would take her among the outcasts of society.

In spite of the opposition Rose entered the refuge at Tours as a religious sister on 20th of October 1814. She demonstrated an aptitude for the work and such qualities of leadership that she quickly became the mistress of novices and was the superior by 1825.

The Good Shepherd Sisters' work with adolescent girls and women began in Sydney in 1913, providing institutional care with an emphasis on protection and shelter. During 1981 it was decided to replace the hostel with a non-residential day-attendance programme. The closure of the Ashfield hostel concluded 68 years of residential care in Sydney by the Good Shepherd Sisters and their staff. The concept of the Day Programme developed after consultation with officers from the Department of Youth and Community Services, solicitors in the Children's court Legal Aid Scheme and magistrates.  

The Day Survival Programme began in 1982 and continues as a valuable service to young people in need ever since.