Sunday, 25 March

It has been catch up time all week for me and the community.  Some of us spent a fair bit of time boxing our library and dismantling the shelving.  Thursday with the help of Paul Maunder's nephew Paul Betros we moved the books and shelving into the new library.

Meanwhile the workers on the site have been busy as usual.  The car park has had lemon scented ti trees planted between it and St Teresa's hermitage.  It now has wheel stoppers on the side near St Teresa's as it is quite a drop.

Car Park with signage and wheel stoppers

Wes and Troy have been working cutting and laying sandstone at the entrance to the priory.  The colour of the stone is typical of Sydney stone.

Entrance with sandstone paving

The landscapers have also put in lawn which makes the path from the chapel to the priory very pleasant.  It give a sense of arrival to the front of the priory

Path to the priory entrance

When we look up from the north side of the chapel all the fencing has gone and we can see an almost complete exterior of the new building. 

Look no fence- the view from the cemetery

The view from the novitiate to the oratory is also impressive. 

The oratory from the novitiate

The bedrooms now have windows and door and insulation in the ceiling.  The insulation has an R rating of R3.5.  This is impressive in itself but it is now the standard for all buildings in Australia.

Bedroom with doors and windows

The oratory now has a floor.  The wood is Sydney Blue Gum.  When it is sealed it will look beautiful.

Oratory with Sydney Blue Gum floor

Here is a picture of the library with all our books and shelving transferred.  At some point we will have to begin assembling the shelving and unpacking the book.  We will also soon bring the books and shelving from the Box Hill priory to the site.  Then we will have our library.

Books in boxes and shelving awaiting assembly

The walkway on the south side of the chapel took another step last week.  The columns are now at their right height.  Maurie Cohen, our foreman, is pushing for a lot of work to be completed this coming week as he and his family are going on holidays from Friday.  I will make sure I am organised to update soon.

Columns for the walkway to the priory