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As a Friend of New Norcia you will receive a regular newsletter with news of New Norcia and its events and will have the opportunity to participate in preserving and sharing this unique national treasure.
Contact Us
Address
New Norcia Benedictine Community New Norcia Road New Norcia WA 6509
Reduced operations – January 2027: Please note that for the month of January 2027, New Norcia will scale back its operations. Click here to find out more.
Visit New Norcia
People visit New Norcia for many reasons; for spiritual retreat, to join a tour and see inside the magnificent buildings or sometimes just to walk around the town and enjoy the peace and beautiful scenery.
In this section you will find all the information you need for your visit to New Norcia. Details of places to eat and places to stay, details of the town tours and information about some of our favourite things to do in Australia’s only monastic town.
We recommend your first port of call is the Museum & Art Gallery to speak to one of the staff about the attractions and experiences New Norcia has to offer. The Museum & Art Gallery is also a Visitor Information Centre and is the point from which town tours leave.
Stay at New Norcia
There are so many different options for accommodation at New Norcia.
The Guesthouse is perfect for a quiet, retreat like experience - a world away from the rigours of modern life. You can join a Benedictine retreat here or be housed in the Hermitage for a silent retreat. Groups can be accommodated in the Old Convent or the historic boarding school colleges. Smaller groups are also able to book the Hostel, with its comfortable rooms, neo-classical architecture, scenic deck and heritage veranda, as well as St Ildephonsus' Cottage.
Please click on the areas on the right for more information.
Eat & Drink
Hospitality is a tenet of the Rule of St Benedict, the Rule by which the monks of New Norcia live, so wherever you choose to eat in town, our aim is for you to experience warm monastic hospitality.
Education & Research
From the earliest days of its foundation New Norcia has been focussed on education. The first Abbot, of New Norcia (Rosendo Salvado) established the Aboriginal girls and boys schools and the second Abbot of New Norcia, Fulgentius Torres built and opened the European girls and boys schools, which closed in 1991.
Since the closing of the schools, New Norcia's school buildings and grounds have been utilised by groups undertaking education programmes.
However, New Norcia also has a tradition of research and academia, with its impressive archival records and library collection, and scholars and researchers alike have delighted over the years in the information available in the town's records.
This section also provides information on the archives and library and provides link to forms which will give you access to the records of New Norcia.
Protecting a Unique Heritage
New Norcia is Australia’s only monastic town and has a unique heritage. Founded in 1847 by Spanish Benedictine Monks, the town has had many purposes; a mission, a monastery, a provider of education and now as a place of spiritual retreat.
Delve into the town's unique history, discover the ongoing and completed work necessary for the upkeep and restoration of this special part of Australia.
But it is not only the majestic buildings set amongst the Australian bush that sets New Norcia apart; its history is also encapsulated in the archival records of New Norcia and in the library and museum collections.
In this section we also have information about how you can donate to New Norcia to help the Community restore and maintain this treasure.
What's Happening at New Norcia
We hold a diverse array of events throughout the year at New Norcia.
Each year we host a full programme of events including a spiritual retreat programme presented by the Institute for Benedictine Studies, dinners at the New Norcia Hostel and a few other surprises!
Watch this space for all the updated information about "What's on at New Norcia".
On Friday 22nd November, Abbot John represented New Norcia at the Holy Cross College Annual Celebration Evening.
Abbot John presents award to Grace Birkett
The evening began with a reflective liturgy featuring the inspiring life and work of missionary monk Dom Rosendo Salvado, co-founder of New Norcia.
Along with the Principal’s Address and videos depicting the rich life of the Holy Cross Family in 2024, the huge gathering enjoyed fine musical and dance performances from the students.
End of year award presentations were made, with some very impressive students receiving multiple awards of excellence.
Abbot John was to present the Salvado House award to Samarra Baltaza who was unable to attend, but was pleased to present an award to year 11 student Grace Birkett for her outstanding witness to the values of the Salvado House Enrichment Pillar – Gratitude and Stewardship.
New Norcia continues to value this special connection with Holy Cross College and looks forward to all the opportunities to give expression to this in 2025.
Fitting Tribute to a Local Farmer
The Clune family gather for the interment of the ashes of Michael Clune 1942-2023
On All Souls Day (2nd November), the Clune family gathered on their Wongan Hills farm for the interment of Michael Clune’s ashes.
Abbot John addresses the Clune family
Terry and his sons prepared a beautiful memorial stone and plaque near Michael’s favourite olive tree.
Abbot John presented the family with a framed blessing, and everyone enjoyed a hearty country brunch afterwards…an opportunity also to see all the photos of Isabella and Wyatt’s recent wedding at New Norcia.
First Reconciliations
On the first Sunday of November, traditionally ‘Parish Sunday’ in New Norcia, Jack and Lara Kelly Botha made their first reconciliation.
With confessionals a thing of the past, they received the sacrament seated with the parish priest on the abbey church garden benches. They were delighted to receive decorated crosses as a memento of the occasion, which were blessed by Fr David on his way to the monastery parlour for the usual time of reconciliation before Mass. The congregation was equally delighted to take part in morning tea after Mass, made extra special with homemade treats, which parishioners brought along to share.
Fr David blessing crosses
Alfresco first reconciliations
Wedding Celebration
St Ildephonsus’ chapel opened its doors on Saturday 9th November for a Nuptial Mass to celebrate the Holy Matrimony of Alex Brown and Michelle Maretha.
Everything was beautifully prepared, including lovely spring cottage flowers arranged by the bride herself!
German Car Club Visit
On Sunday 3rd November, over one hundred German car enthusiasts drove into town to enjoy a beautiful Spring day at New Norcia.
Along with comparing engines, designs, vintages and the like, club members enjoyed freshly brewed coffee and bratwurst sausages from their own pop up stalls.
New Norcia Groups and Central Catering offered Benedictine hospitality by providing lunch boxes featuring New Norcia bread, and abbey wine and beer at St Ild’s.
On Monday 4th November, Abbot John travelled to Mandurah for the Memorial Mass of long-time friend of New Norcia, Maureen Wild.
Maureen and daughters Loretta and Deb have a long association with the New Norcia Community. They have been coming for their annual weekend retreat which later became twice a year. Maureen loved chatting to the monks and guests in the monastery guesthouse.
Aged 87, Maureen passed away peacefully after a short illness in Mercy Place Nursing Home on Saturday 26th October.
She leaves behind her husband of 68 years, Ernest; she was the much-loved mother of Loretta, Deb and Kelly, mother-in-law to Steve and Leanne.
Maureen had three sisters, Beverley, Leonie, and Kerry (deceased). She also had two half-brothers, Bernie and Tony.
Maureen was a proud grandmother of nine and delighted great grandmother of nine.
Beyond her work life and family commitments, Maureen had a rich array of personal interests and hobbies that brought her joy and fulfilment.
Maureen and Ernest managed two hotels, The Dwellingup Community Hotel and the Hordern Hotel in Narrogin, from 1969 to 1976. As a warm and welcoming person, she was able to express herself fully in this role and often chatted about this time in her later life.
She loved spending time in nature, especially the Dwellingup bush. Other interests were birdwatching, yoga and Banjo Patterson's poetry. She often recited excerpts from hilarious limericks.
The Mass was well attended, included moving tributes, and the liturgy was enhanced with much participation from local Mandurah parishioners.
New branding for the New Norcia Roadhouse
With Fuel Distributors being awarded the fuel contract came the opportunity to rebrand the exterior of the roadhouse.
Axiom designed the branding and it was installed during November giving a great facelift for the building, and better aligning the roadhouse with branding across the site.
Swan Song
Our heritage builder and dear friend of many years John Brassington is soon to retire.
Heritage Builder Extraordinaire John Brassington working on monastery south wing verandas.
We are pleased that one of his final projects was to complete the final stage of urgent works on the monastery verandas.
John has completed countless projects across the site, an extraordinary contribution to the conservation and restoration of New Norcia’s beautiful, yet fragile buildings.
We express our sincere gratitude to John and wish him every blessing in his retirement…while praying that when he’s a bit bored with retirement, he’ll return to do the odd gentle project in the future!
Trading Post renovation work continues
The external works to the old Trading Post are getting very close to completion.
This week saw the foundation concrete painted in “New Norcia red” giving a very striking accent to a very beautiful building. The worker doing the painting…. Dimitri Bakarozos, the newest member of the Grounds and Maintenance team. Dimitri is Greek, and started his working life as an aeronautical technician maintaining jet engines, as a member of the Greek air force. In recent years he has worked in the Catholic schools system in Perth and Kalgoorlie as a maintenance worker. He will be joined by his wife and two adult sons in the new year.
Monastic Visit
During the Abbot’s Congress at Sant’ Anselmo in Rome, Abbot John met Fr Cyprian Consiglio, a Camaldolese Benedictine from the monastery of Big Sur on the central coast of California.
Fr Cyprian Consiglio
Fr Cyprian is the newly appointed Secretary General of Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique (DIM) or Monastic Interreligious Dialogue (MID) and a brilliant guitarist and song writer.
Impressed by his presentation at the Congress, and after learning that Fr Cyprian was going to be in Australia, Abbot John invited him to visit New Norcia.
Fr Cyprian accepted the invitation and graciously presented a day of fascinating talks to the monks and a few oblates and staff in the monastery.
His knowledge of and passion for interreligious dialogue, interspersed with some beautiful music, which included some of his new compositions, was inspiring and deeply moving.
The Abbot’s Table: Spring Wrap-up
On Saturday 16th November, fifty-two guests gathered at the New Norcia Hostel for the Spring Abbot’s Table.
Along with our loyal regulars and several newcomers, we were pleased to welcome award-winning apprentice chef, Kyle Victoriano, a local ‘New Norcian’, who prepared an exquisite dessert.
We look forward to following the career of this very gifted young man.
One lucky table was set with our most recent donation – a beautiful canteen of silver-plate cutlery donated by Bernice Reid, who even washed and polished it for us!
If you are looking for a home for any fine tablewear you no longer use – it will be much appreciated, used, and cared for at the New Norcia Hostel. Contact Director of Visitor Services Carmel Murray: info@newnorcia.com.au
Loyal regulars Tony & Marian Giglia and Daniel and Katie Lynch enjoying a cocktail in the lounge before dinner
New Norcia Retreat and Study Programme for 2025 now available
We are very pleased to announce that the programme for New Norcia’s retreats and courses are now available for 2025.
On offer is a series of varied events focusing on Benedictine spirituality, meditation, and the cultivation of inner peace and freedom. As well as our customary weekend retreats, a number of one-day options is also available.
Our weekend and one-day retreats are an opportunity to step back from the usual concerns of life into a setting of tranquility and reflection, and to absorb the ancient wisdom of our monastic tradition. Participants are encouraged to book well in advance, as events are often fully booked.
