Convent Gallery facts for kids

The Convent Gallery is a special place in Daylesford, a beautiful town in Central Victoria, Australia. It sits on a hill overlooking the town, offering amazing views. Today, it's a popular spot for art, history, and lovely gardens.

A Home with a Long Story

The building that is now the Convent Gallery has a very long and interesting history. It dates back to the 1860s gold rush era.

From Gold Rush to Holy Home

Back in the 1860s, the building was first known as 'Blarney Castle'. It was the home of the Gold Commissioner, who was an important person during the gold rush. Later, in the 1880s, the Catholic Church bought the building. For about ten years, it was used as a presbytery, which is a home for a priest.

A School for Girls

In 1891, a church leader named Archbishop Thomas Joseph Carr had a vision. He wanted to create a "source of light and education" for the people of Daylesford. So, in 1892, the building was chosen to become a Convent and boarding school for girls. It was called the Holy Cross Convent. This was a big step, as it was the first school opened by the Presentation Sisters outside of Melbourne in Victoria. Over the years, more parts were added. A new chapel was finished in 1904, and in 1927, new rooms like a parlour, dormitory, and music rooms were built.

A New Chapter for the Convent

The old building was quite large and needed a lot of care, especially with heating. In the 1970s, it was decided that the nuns needed a more suitable place to live. The school closed in 1973. In 1975, the building was given to the Daylesford community. It became a Community Center for arts and education. Many local groups used it, and hundreds of people visited every week. However, the building still needed a lot of repairs. In 1988, it was sold to Tina Banitska, a well-known local artist and ceramicist. She worked hard to restore and bring the building back to life.

What You Can See Today

The Convent Gallery still has many of its original Victorian-era features. It stands on the side of Wombat Hill, looking over Daylesford and nearby Hepburn Springs.

Art, History, and More

Today, the Convent Gallery is a vibrant place. It has eight different art galleries that show new art from local and international artists every eight weeks. You can also visit the beautifully restored original chapel. There's a museum that tells the story of the building, set up by the nuns themselves. You can find unique clothing, jewelry, pottery, and local wines in the retail areas. There's also a Mediterranean-style cafe and two modern function rooms with glass fronts. It even has Daylesford's first world-class wine bar.

Gardens and Views

Outside, the Convent Gallery is surrounded by 6 acres (24,000 m²) of lovely gardens. These gardens are perfect for a stroll and offer amazing scenic views of the surrounding area. It's a wonderful place to explore art, history, and nature all in one spot.