Mother Mary Xavier Read: Mother of Music (1859-1938)

Mother Mary Xavier Read, one of the pioneering Mercy Sisters at Bunbury was known as the ‘Mother of Music’ throughout the South West of Western Australia. She was a highly qualified and accomplished musician and was an experienced teacher before she joined the Sisters of Mercy (McLay, 1992, p.168). Mary came from a family of wealthy and talented musicians who ran a prestigious music school, Read’s Academy in Dublin (McLay, 1992, p.168). Mary’s dedication to music resulted in outstanding music results for the Bunbury convent, with 7% of the Trinity Music College awards given throughout the Commonwealth to her students. Amongst her students, two fellowships and three national prizes were also gained (reference).

Born in 1859 to well-off parents Thomas and Teresa Read, Mary Josephine was one of thirteen children. Her upbringing had the other Sisters at the convent thinking her a ‘snob’ (reference). Her father was a Protestant but Mary and her siblings were brought up as Catholics like their mother. Mary’s father, dressed in his Sunday’s best of tails and a top hat, would see them off to the Catholic church in the family coach driven by a coachman before walking to his Protestant Church (McLay, 1992, p.168).

At twenty-four years old, Mary arrived in Perth in 1883 as part of a group of nine postulants. In September of that year, she ‘took the white veil’ to become a novitiate, choosing Sister Mary Francis Xavier as her religious name (reference). Sister Xavier completed her training at the Victoria Square Convent, Perth, and ‘took the black veil’ in 1885 with the other eight women who she took her white veil with (reference). She took her final vows at Fremantle in 1891 (reference). 

Two of these women died within two years of the ceremony, Sister Ignatiua, aged 21 (McLay, 1992, p.466), and Sister Bridget, aged 32 (reference). Their deaths are a testament of how hard life was in Australia, and how committed Sister Xavier was to give up the privileged life she lived in Ireland to serve the people of Australia.

Sister Xavier was sent to Bunbury in January 1886 where she stayed for a brief period (McLay, 1992, p.72). In 1897 she returned to Bunbury, the year when the Sister of Mercy convent became separate to Perth’s (reference). Sister Xavier was then appointed Assistant Mother under the Reverend Mother Angela Costello, who was the first Australian born sister to receive this title (reference).

Mother Xavier’s main contribution to the Bunbury community was teaching music which she did with much dedication. As a result, her pupils constantly did well in the Trinity College exams. In 1914, Nora Coalstad, at just 11 years of age,  was one the youngest musicians to win an exhibition (reference) and in 1921 Doris Bettesworth achieved the highest mark in Western Australia for the Licentiate of the Associated Board of Music exam (L.A.B) (reference). Cecilia Lucey, who was later billed as “Bunbury’s Favourite Soprano '' also won gold medals in singing for three years in succession (McLay, 1992, p.172). 

Bunbury became the second examination centre in Western Australia to hold Trinity College examinations and a special Music Hall was built in 1918 to accommodate the growing number of students. Lessons were offered for several instruments, singing and to both Catholic and non-Catholics alike (McLay, 1992, p.201).

Mother Xavier was talented in other areas besides music, including sewing, as shown from this letter penned by 11-year-old Mary Hastie to ‘Aunties Corner’ in The W.A. Record (January 21 1901):

“...My dear Auntie, I am pleased to tell you the bazaar was a great success, as the Sisters worked hard to try and have it nice. There was one beautiful Doll which stood in the middle of the Irish Australian Stall, which was the attraction of the room — Erin, dressed by Rev. Mother Xavier. She stood on a bed of moss, dressed in a beautiful white satin dress with shamrocks worked down the front; her right hand was resting on a gold harp and a bunch of shamrocks in the other hand….. Goodbye, Dear Auntie; I remain, Your Loving Niece, (age 11 years) Mary Hastie.”  (reference).

Early in 1914, Mother Xavier returned to Ireland on account of her mother’s death (reference). She was accompanied by Mother Agnes and returned to Australia in 1915 with nineteen new postulants for Bunbury (reference). Their trip back to Australia was not without danger, as WWI had begun, making the seas a deadly place. Their ship was pursued by a German submarine for two hours, during which the ship’s captain had them pray for protection and safety (McLay, 1992, p.174). The party was given a large welcome on return (reference) with the Children of Mary welcoming home Mother Xavier. In a speech, Miss Josie Buswell said “...we all recall with pride and gratitude your unselfish and inspiring work for our good. In the midst of overwhelming difficulties and sorrows you always found time for us, and on every possible occasion you gave us the benefit of your ripe knowledge, and experience, and fanned our often dormant faith into life and fruit.” (reference)

In 1935 Mother Xavier’s Golden Jubilee was accompanied by great celebrations. The first was a Ball in her honour (reference). The following night consisted of the official Jubilee programme with several musical items performed by former students. They were followed by speeches and the presentation of a Honorary Fellowship from the Trinity College of Music in recognition of their long and successful connection. Mr Parkes, a representative of the college, listed the achievements gained by the convent and said it was remarkable considering the small population (reference). 

Mother Xavier Read died in 1938, aged 79, and was buried with other Sisters of Mercy at the Bunbury Cemetery. In 1953, Xavier Street was named in her honour for her contribution to the cultural life of Bunbury (reference). 

Research on Mother Xavier Read was conducted using newspapers and Anne McLay’s published book, Women out of their Spheres: A History of the Sisters of Mercy in Western Australia (1992). A copy of her book can be found on the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy Australia & Paupa New Guinea website: Women out of their Spheres

Information about other personalities of Bunbury that are buried at the Bunbury Cemetery can be found at http://bunburyheritagewalk.com.au. 

This article was researched and written by Gaye Englund for the Streets of Bunbury project.