Our Story

Being the “first” parish priest of this area, Fr John Brady’s reflection of Riverstone and his connection to the local First Nations people would have been a fitting calling. Riverstone was a very untouched tree studded landscape, which could be viewed at a distance with a very defined Eucalyptus tree line. Native to that area, the White Gum Eucalyptus was very significant in Darug culture, as it was the staple of ALL life. It housed the animals, it was a source of food, its wood, the making of weaponry, Coolamons for gathering bush tucker, message sticks for communication, clap sticks and Didgeridoos for celebration through corroboree.

Not unlike Dreamtime, the Earth is a symbol of all God’s creation.

The Eucalyptus White Gums have an ever changing green foliage/leaf and, depending on the season, changes in shade from light to dark. Fr John Brady’s commitment to the Indigenous community of this district is typified by the representation of this tree and its connection to the Earth. The logo for Brady House, is an original Artwork Termed – “Tree Of Life” by Trevor Eastwood who currently resides on Darug Country.

The Indigenous Artwork of the meeting place, bordered by representation of the Land in all directions, Blacktown, Parramatta and Liverpool, acknowledges Maria’s stance as being a “Traditional Land Owner”, both recognised as her First Nation right but also as the first indigenous person to be granted a land petition. The artwork is that of Jay Brookes-Lane a direct descendant of The Locke family and it is termed- “DARGANG”. The Darug word for “Everyone”./p>

The two handprints and the union of the cross represents the first legalised marriage in the eyes of the church between a person of First Nation Descent to a European settler, Robert Locke. Maria was Educationally Advanced in comparison with ALL her peers and her devotion to learning is very fitting as the representation of a House Patron for St JPII.

Mary Mackillop was the first female Australian Saint which is very significant for the STJPII community and represented by the The “Saint” Halo. The colour representation is of the Josephite Habit colour for Mary Mackillop and the barren earth that could be seen on Mary’s journey.

The original meeting place and the “children’s” footsteps added a “Journey trail” to signify Mary Mackillop’s tireless journey across our country to establish the Sisters of Joseph foundations of the 23 isolated areas within our countryside, and hence the trail zig zags from south to north, west to east.

The meeting place underneath the shadow of the Halo and just outside its rays, is used to signify protection and the establishment of these autonomous regional communities.

Father John Therry was one of the “first” official Catholic priests within the area. Being of Irish descent, his promotion of the faith was noteworthy and vigorous. His connection to community was very strong and his commitment to travel long distances on Horseback to officiate advise on Banking, Arbitration, Spiritual direction to all number of communities and institutes like- Hospitals, Schools, Gaols, Working Farms, Government Bodies and Road Gangs brought him considerable respect for not only establishment but that of first nations people to whom he was a purveyor of education opportunities to the indigenous communities.

The artwork here designed by Artist- Jason Douglas- represents Fr John Terry’s “reaching” of areas of visitation, such as Wollongong (Tharawal), Goulburn (Gundungarra), Maitland (Wonnarua), Bathurst (Wiradjuri) and Newcastle (Awabakal and Worimi), all individual areas of great distance in the pursuit of Education and Guidance.