Memories of Nazareth

St Ann’s and CBC have a proud history of engaging with the performing arts.

A product of the two schools' enthusiasm and dedication to the art form is the now hugely successful youth theatre company, Holiday Actors. Many St Ann’s girls affectionately recall their learning of music, singing and theatre taking place in the building known as “Nazareth”.

In 1946 “Nazareth” was built as a “temporary” classroom. This was the only timber structure built at St Ann’s and for many years housed the Preps, Grade One and Two. It was used for sixty years (not so temporary) until 2006 when it was demolished during the Convent refurbishment.

We spoke with some St Ann’s Alumni to learn of their memories of this gone, but not forgotten building.

“When I was there it housed the primary school kids. I went to Primary School there as well. I remember, it would have been in about Grade 3 or 4, at Christmas time I was given the role of Mary in the school play - I was really excited about it! However the nuns learned that I could play piano accordion so pulled me out of the role to accompany the singing of the Christmas Carols.

When I was in secondary school [at St Ann’s], I remember the boys from CBC would be brought over to practice dancing. The girls would have to sit around the outside and wait to be picked as a practice partner!”
- Bernadette Roache (Class of 1974)

“Prior to the Hall being built off Ardlie Street, Nazareth was “the Hall”. Nazareth was only small. It was nothing special, it just looked like a Hall. It had wooden floor boards, and there was always a piano in there. But Nazareth was my comfort place. My memories of Nazareth are:

1. Drama class with Miss Hulin. We had to form groups and make up dances and we chose a Kim Wilde track. I can still remember some of the moves. We’d also practice plays and create little sketches.
2. Choir practice after school with Mrs Adams. I remember being in year 7 or 8, but all the other girls in the choir were much older (and important!). We would sing “We fought the battle of the geriatrics” - we thought we were funny.
3. Rehearsals for Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat. It was 1984 going into the summer of 1985. I remember auditioning at Nazareth and being really scared. We were there every day singing and rehearsing. It was one of the best summers I can remember.”

- Leonie Fortuna (Class of 1987)

“In Nazareth, Sr Patrick was our teacher for Prep to Grade 2 - it was a huge class and she was a little lady. I remember the milk was delivered and left under the tree for us to drink.”
- Maureen Carey (Class of 1968)