Foundations
Balgo Mission 1954
The Pastoral presence of the Sisters of St John of God in Balgo served the people through caring, nursing and education from 1954-2000. Sister Winifred McBride and Angela Maroney were the first Sisters of St John of God to minister in Balgo.
In the late 1970-80s on the request of Mr. Leo Lee, a local resident, who was concerned about the educational needs of adults, saw the birth of an Adult Education Centre which was co-coordinated by Sister Alice Dempsey.
Later a distinguished artist, who lived in the district, expressed a wish to help his people who where interested in developing their artistic skills, requested the use of this Adult Education Centre.
The request was granted, and outstanding talent has been demonstrated. The first Aboriginal Art Exhibition from Balgo was in 1986 at the Art Gallery Perth. So many in the community of Balgo have found the Centre a place of encouragement, a place of intellectual stimulus and an outlet for the creative and practical skills. Others from within and without the Community have been involved in the Center's development in many ways.
In the 1980s, Sister Alice Dempsey with Mr. Leo Lee taught Religion in the State School . Leo did the instruction in the local language, Kukatja and Sister Alice in English. The elderly people and others observed this and were happy that one of their own people was now passing on the Good News. Later in 1984 a Catholic School was opened in Balgo.
