I am writing on behalf of the Abbot and the monks of New Norcia to tell you about the wonderful things that are happening at New Norcia.

Founded by Spanish monk, Dom Rosendo Salvado in 1846, New Norcia is an Australian cultural treasure unlike any other. Home to 14 Benedictine monks, this bush oasis, an hour and a half from Perth, is a living link with a religious tradition that is well over a thousand years old. It is also a priceless repository of early Western Australian history, both Aboriginal and European.

Indeed, so historically important is New Norcia, the entire town is registered as part of the National Estate and 27 buildings are classified by the National Trust. Buildings contain archives and relics from the Mission's founding, paintings by Spanish and Italian masters, Aboriginal artefacts and, in keeping with the Benedictine love of learning, a 75,000 volume library.

However, ensuring the preservation of this living museum is an uphill battle. No regular funding is received from the Government or the Church. But it is a battle that's been made easier, thanks to the Friends of New Norcia.
The Friends is a support organisation of around 2000 people, a cross section of people who wish to help New Norcia survive and prosper. Since its inception in 1991, Friends' funds have been spent on the urgent restoration of New Norcia's architecture. Over the last few years Friends' funds have been used to:

• establish a new entrance to the New Norcia Museum and Art Galley
• restore one of the last remaining pioneer farm carts
• purchase new soft furnishings for the Old Convent Guesthouse
• upgrade the first floor of St Ildephonsus College
• repaint the front of St Jospeh's Orphanage
• restore St Gertrude's Chapel
• restore the open verandahs at St Ildephonsus College
• establish the Life of St Joseph's Exhibition at the New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery
• the refurbishment of the 19th century Reading Room at the monastery
• refurbishment the St Ildephonsus’ College Classroom building, which will become an extension of the New Norcia library
• Establishment of an interpretive center commemorating the Aboriginal Mission Cottages built by Salvado, including renovation of the last remaining cottage

In 2007, Friends’ donations are contributing to the renovations of our Museum storage areas. Following the successful "Robbed & Restored" exhibition in 2006, many of our marvellously restored Old Master paintings are in urgent need of suitable storage areas to ensure their longevity. For several year, and with help from an individual benefactor, we have been doing our best to upgrade the 15 rooms that contain the bulk of the collection. Roofs and ceilings have been replaced, electricity installed and gutters and drainage put in place.

However, to date we have not been able to tackle the subtler, but no less destructive enemies of vermin, light, temperature and humidity, nor provide adequate storage furniture. Having to find a resting place for paintings which have received $250,000 of restoration work has thrown the shortfall between what we have done and where we should be into sharp relief.

These problems can be solved with sufficient funding. Based on expert advice, we estimate that $150,000 will give us the ability to upgrade our storerooms to museum standards. Donations to this project are tax deductible.
While the focus of the Friends' support has been bricks and mortar of the town, the benefits which have followed have been many and far-reaching. Restoration work funded by the Friends has enabled the monks to share their heritage on a scale not possible before. Abandoned areas have been reused, more people than ever visit the town each year, especially school children, and the social fabric of the town and the surrounding area has been strengthened.

And for us, the monks of New Norcia, the knowledge that so many people share our love and concern for this special place is a source of enormous encouragement. However, much more needs to be done to secure the survival and development of New Norcia. We need your help and would be delighted to count you among our supporters.
Friends pay an annual subscription of $33.00. As a Friend you receive a membership card, entitling you to free entry into our Museum and Art Gallery, a bi-annual newsletter bringing you up to date with all that's happening in the town. We also publish a monthly e-newsletter, The Chimes, sent out to your email address. You are also invited to various Friends' functions during the year including the annual Friends' Picnic Day at New Norcia.

For our part, we the monks of New Norcia offer our Friends a special remembrance in our prayers. We hope our cause appeals. To become a Friend of New Norcia and help us preserve and share this unique treasure simply complete the Friends subscription form.

With enthusiasm,

Dom Christopher Power OSB
Head Friend

To contact the Friends of New Norcia:
	Joan Oakland, Friends of New Norcia Coordinator Tel: (08) 9654 8167 Fax: (08) 9654 8018 Freecall: 1800 882 235 Email: friends@newnorcia.com

Friends subscription form

New Norcia Chimes - Friends Edition

February 08 (800 kb)
March 08 (775 kb)
April 08 (800 kb)
May 08 (925 kb)

December 07 (1.05 mb)
November 07 (1.1 mb)
October 07 (1 mb)
September 07 (830 kb)
August 07 (330 kb)
July 07 (398 kb)
June 07 (415 kb)
May 07 (448 kb)
April 07 (392 kb)
March 07 (399 kb)
February 07 (685 kb)

December 06 (382 kb)
November 06 (400 kb)
October 06 (685kb)
September 06 (356kb)
August 06 (230kb)
July 06 (288kb)