The Australian Women's Register

Summary

The Ursuline order of nuns dates back to the sixteenth century when Angela Merici founded them in the northern Italian town of Brescia in 1535. Its presence in Australia dates back to 1872, when twelve of their order travelled from England to Armidale in New South Wales, at the invitation of Elzear Torreggiani – Bishop of Armidale. Knowing full well the Ursulines commitment to providing quality, Catholic education to girls, he requested that they join him in his quest to spread the word and teach the young in remote New South Wales. Thus began their influence in Australia, which is particularly strong in New South Wales and south east Queensland.