On 17 October 2014, we will unveil the St Mary MacKillop statue project, which is the Sandhurst Diocesan expression of gratitude for the life, achievements and legacy of St Mary of the Cross and her Josephite sisters. The statue forms Stage One of the precinct development project.
 
The statue serves as a reminder of the deep connection she shares with our community connecting the thread of daily life, spirituality and purpose. We remember her incredible journey across the Diocese, establishing the first Josephine School in Victoria at Numurkah on 12 January 1890. She went onto establish sister schools in Eaglehawk, Pyramid Hill, Rushworth, Nagambie, Tallangatta and Corryong.
 
The two-metre-high sculpture will be created using various materials including bronze, glass and light. Illuminated images of school children from the late 1880s will appear at the back of the sculpture and glass shafts at each side will reinforce the saintly quality of the work.
 
The masterpiece is the work of award-winning sculptor Jenny Steiner, of Melbourne (pictured).  “The commission is an incredible honour, it’s probably the most important thing I’ve ever done. It’s a career defining project.”