Francis McGarry papers, pictorial material and relics, ca. 1907-1972

fonds

ca. 1907-1972

825625

Lay missionary and protector of Aborigines was born in Wagga Wagga, N.S.W. Australia on 11th July 1897, he lived there until 1906 when after his father’s death the family moved to Manly, N.S.W. He was educated at Marist Brothers High School, Darlinghurst N.S.W. and then enlisted in the 45th Infantry Battalion during 1914-18 World War, serving in France. After his return he worked with the St Vincent de Paul Society in Manly and then the Little Bay Leper Hospital. At the request of Bishop Francis Gsell of Darwin, N.T. left Sydney in 1938 to work with the Sacred Heart Order during which time he helped the Rev. Father P.J. Maloney establish The Little Flower Black Mission in the Alice Springs, N.T. and later established the Mission at Arltunga, N.T. (Santa Teresa Mission). After his missionary work ceased in 1944 he worked with the Native Affairs Department, N.T. where he remained until 1946. As his health deteriorated he returned to live in Sydney and continued to devote his life to the work of St Vincent de Paul. He died in Nov. 1955 and is buried in French’s Forest Cemetery, N.S.W. His cause for beatification was sent to the Vatican in 1970.

Reference:
Mitchell Library File
Francis McGarry: Francis of Central Australia / Frank O’Grady. Wentworth Books, 1977

SERIES 01
Papers, 1935-1948

SERIES 02
Further papers, 1917-1972

SERIES 03
Pictorial material, 1914-1968

SERIES 04
Relics, 1907-1955

This collection is arranged into 4 record series