Friends of St Brigids Assoc Inc

Australia's first Irish Cultural Heritage Centre in a community precinct. 

 

The Friends of St Brigid's community would like to provide for the Victorian community a place for reflection on the critical role that Irish settlement played in shaping our history and the personality of Australia by developing the St Brigid’s precinct at Crossley in south west Victoria into an exciting cultural experience that tells the story of Irish settlement within South West Victoria. Our ancestors built this precinct as homage to their ancestors, we continue that journey today. The transition from the local church and Hall to a cultural centre, community owned, keeps the heart of our community beating strong. 

 

 

• Facilitates the ongoing restoration of St Brigid’s Church, Hall and community precinct

• Provides a “place” for a unique Irish/Australian cultural experience for visitors

• Is actively supported and used by the local community groups

• Supports family and community events that are important for the culture of our region.

• Enhances the tourism product of the region and stimulates increased visitation to the Great South Coast region of Victoria.

• Hosts significant, Irish/Australian cultural events

• Provides a foundation of secure financial management practice

• Informs and enhances our visitors travel experience to the Great South Coast region.

 

 

The community has been solely responsible for annual fundraising since taking ownership of the precinct in 2009. The Friends of St Brigids Committee Assoc Inc. have raised  $450,000 (or $50,000 annually) to meet our community mortgage requirements, maintain the precinct and take on required capital improvements. 

 

• Facilitates the ongoing restoration of St Brigid’s Church, Hall and community precinct

• Provides a “place” for a unique Irish/Australian cultural experience for visitors

• Is actively supported and used by the local community groups

• Supports family and community events that are important for the culture of our region.

• Enhances the tourism product of the region and stimulates increased visitation to the Great South Coast region of Victoria.

• Hosts significant, Irish/Australian cultural events

• Provides a foundation of secure financial management practice

• Informs and enhances our visitors travel experience to the Great South Coast region.

 

Donations of historical materials.

If you were to visit the St Brigid’s Church sacristy,  at Crossley, you would see that it has been transformed into the fledgling Australian-Irish Cultural Heritage Centre  and is now ready to accept donations of historical materials

 

The aim has always been to have an area -

 

• where items of interest related to the history of the area are stored and displayed.

• where there are facilities for people of Irish heritage to research their heritage.

• where the cultural heritage of the local community is preserved for following generations.

 

The Centre will rely on contributions from the community.

We are looking for donations of items which have strong provenance to St Brigid’s or the local community.

Photographs –

Weddings, First Communions, Baptisms, school events, social events .

Documents –

Mass books from funerals, Memorial cards, First Communion certificates, Baptismal certificates.

Items of interest and relevance –

School awards e.g. inscribed books.  Sporting awards with inscriptions. 

Badges and medals e.g. Holy Name Society , Children of Mary  ( Robes or veils)

Baptismal robes, First Communion attire (dresses, veils)

 

Please contact us  via  email  stbrigidscrossley@outlook.com or contact  0418519152  if you have any of the above to donate, or anything  that you think is of relevance.