The Chimes

Our first Artist in Residence – Simon Sieradzki

Simon was born in Bunbury, and describes his heritage back to his grandparents as a combination of Polish and a ten pound Pom. His great grandparents settled and farmed in the Denmark and Northampton area, his side of the family coming off the farm during his parents’ time.

Simon’s mum married a second time to a United States sailor and as a consequence he spent a number of his primary school years in the States at schools that very much promoted art.

After school he played and gigged in a number of Indie rock bands before turning his attention back to art, his first love.

He has had an extensive and wide education in the arts. He graduated from Curtin University in Graphic Design, then went to Melbourne University to do a planning and design post-graduate certificate.

Both his Masters degree in Art and his PhD in Art were completed at Curtin University.

Simon works in oils, mostly brush, but also employs a pallet knife in his work.

Simon heard about the artist in residence programme by word of mouth, and a friend sent examples of his work to Abbot John prior to him applying to come to the Old Trading Post.

Simon is a working artist. He met a German artist undertaking his PhD work while at Curtin and visited him in Leipzig. He says his first thought was to go and establish himself in Berlin, but fell in love with Leipzig where there is a thriving art and artist’s community. There he undertook two residencies in Leipzig but was unable to leave the country during the initial COVID wave. As a result, he has a studio and flat in Leipzig, and divides his time between Germany and Australia.

Our backpackers in the Roadhouse

They are usually highly qualified people who work in the roadhouse kitchen or for Grounds and Maintenance as a town cleaner.

Our newest “crop” of backpackers is no exception, all currently working at the roadhouse.

As you can see, they are lovely, smiley people who spend months with us, and inevitably enhance our life at New Norcia.

At left are Karen and Guillaume who come to us as a couple. Karen is Argentinian from Buenos Aires. Karen is an HR graduate who worked in recruitment, compensation and benefits. She has also worked as a barista, so has become a great asset at the coffee machine in the roadhouse.

Guillaume is more a man of action. He hails from Carcassonne, a mediaeval fortified city in the south of France and is excited by all things relating to water. He has worked as a lifeguard, a diver and on jet skis.

Karen and Guillaume have been travelling Australia for a couple of years and plan to be in the country until February 2026.

Izzy, on the right, is from Devon in the UK. She is here with her husband, Jos, who is working for Brad and Lisa Sinclair on their farm. Izzy worked with homeless people in the UK, for the YMCA, assisting them to get housing and general help and support.

They present wonderful smiling faces when you go the roadhouse. We are so happy to be able to host you for the time you are here.

More visions of the Saints translated into English by New Norcia’s Fr. Robert Nixon

New Norcia’s Fr. Robert Nixon has recently had published some new translations of visions of saints. One is The Life of Christ Revealed: The Visions of Blessed Veronica of Milan, published by TAN Books. Blessed Veronica was an Augustinian nun of the 15th century, who experienced a series of beautiful visions of the life of Christ. These often add many small but touching and colourful details to the incidents described in the Gospel, as well as other events in the life of Christ—such as when the Holy Family were attacked by bandits while travelling to Egypt, or the final supper which was shared between Jesus and Mary alone (on the night before the Last Supper).

The second collection is The Eucharistic Visions of St. Frances of Rome, published by Sophia Institute. St. Frances of Rome, who also lived in the 15th century, is the patron saint of Benedictine oblates. Very often, after receiving the Eucharist, she would enter a state of trance and experience visions which offer illuminating insights into the mystery of Christ’s presence in the sacrament.

Finally, Fr. Robert has also translated The Memoirs of Blessed Ramon Lull—the First Missionary Martyr to the Muslims, published by TAN Books. This remarkable and fast-paced memoir reads almost like a Quixotic adventure tale, and includes travels through exotic lands, shipwrecks, narrow escapes from death, treacherous betrayals, and both remarkable successes and heartbreaking failures. Ramon Lull, a Majorcan knight and third order Franciscan of the 13th century, was also a novelist, poet, mystic, experimental scientist and alchemist. He embarked on an ambitious campaign to convert both the Muslims and the Mongols which finally resulted in his martyrdom in Tunisia.

All three books (as well as many others of Fr. Robert’s translations) are available through the New Norcia giftshop and webshop, and through online retailers.

The Easter Triduum at New Norcia, 2025

As usual, the monastic community at New Norcia were privileged to be joined by a diverse and appreciative group of guests, many of whom stayed at the various accommodation venues which are on offer. The liturgies were of great solemnity and beauty, presided over by Abbot John Herbert, and with music led by the celestial voices of New Norcia’s special Easter choir. These liturgies commemorated the triumphant entrance of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; the intimate actions of humble charity and service in the washing of the feet and sharing of bread and wine at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday; the ultimate expression of love and self-giving in the sacrifice of the Cross on Good Friday; and, finally, the glorious Resurrection of Our Lord from the dead on Easter Sunday. The Easter vigil liturgy commenced in darkness at 4:30am, with participants devoutly gathering around a blazing bonfire in front on the abbey church.

Apart from the liturgical events, the experience of the Easter Triduum at New Norcia is an opportunity for focused personal prayer and reflection, leaving behind for a few days the distractions and concerns of the external world to enter into the prayerful and contemplative silence of Benedictine monastic life. Our guests and visitors expressed their deep appreciation for the opportunity to share in this enriching experience of renewal and insight.

Yerecoin P&C Ladies' Night

Attendees ranged from current parents of Yerecoin and Calingiri primary schools to past parents, principals, teachers, and new residents encouraged by employers to get involved in the community. Long-time locals mingled with newcomers, creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere where shared experiences and community spirit were celebrated.

Marlon’s Kitchen provided a delicious selection of finger food, thoughtfully served by his staff, while drinks were available for purchase. A raffle organised by the P&C added a fun fundraising element to the evening, raising over $400 to support our small school.

Although there were initial concerns about the lack of background music, it quickly became clear that none was needed — the sound of laughter, stories, and lively conversation filled the air, making it a truly memorable night.

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Roadhouse electrical upgrade

After the Old Trading Post ceased operation selling provisions and food some thirty years ago, the roadhouse was expanded a few times to accommodate a fully equipped kitchen, together with serving counters and a café seating area.

As a consequence, the roadhouse had three separate distribution boards in three different locations. The boards have increasingly been incapable of supply the power needs for the roadhouse, and were not up to modern day standards, requiring a complete rewire of the building. Rewiring a building of this age and complexity is difficult enough, without having to keep the operation running at the same time.

Doug Pauly and his team Pauly and Co from Bindoon, are undertaking the rewiring and upgrade work.

The upgrade required relocation of the old distribution boards to one central point. They are having to remove all the old cabling and install new power circuits to even out the power demands required to meet the modern demands within the roadhouse. They have installed three new sub boards, cable trays to carry electrical cables in the roof spaces, upgraded the lighting to all LED both in the shop and over the service counter.

To meet the brief to keep the roadhouse operational throughout the work, they have to work nine night shifts starting at 5:00pm working through till 3:00am in the morning.

Once all the work chasing cables and placing the new distribution boards is completed, they will change over the cabling to the new supply.

The project is expected to take 3 to 4 weeks to complete.