Sister Philomena Sewell, known affectionately in Young as Sister Phil, is moving to Wagga after 36 years in the Cherry Capital.
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Retiring from teaching about 10 years ago, Sister Philomena has remained busily involved in the community as “a jack of all trades”, as she likes to refer to herself.
She’ll move into a retirement home called Nagle Terrace in the Wagga suburb of Ashmont.
“It’s my health which is dictating that I go to Wagga. I’ve stayed in Young as long as I could,” Sister Philomena said.
After growing up in Bathurst Sister Philomena entered the Presentation Sisters at Wagga in 1952.
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She learnt to be a nun and completed a teaching course in about two-and-a-half-years and was appointed to St Patrick’s Catholic School at Sutherland in 1955.
With little experience Sister Philomena took on a class of 90 Year 3 students.
“We taught in a totally different way then. I go over to the schools here and there’s open walls, everyone is on a computer and the teacher relationship with the class is totally different,” she said.
From Sutherland, Sister Philomena spent time at Wagga, Canberra and Hay before moving to Young in 1982. Apart from two years in Cobar in 1990 and 1991, she’s been a familiar face.
She identified a number of best memories.
Her time in Canberra was when she was in her “element” and she’ll never forget being presented to the Queen at a garden party.
“I had a wonderful two years there. I was in my element,” she said. She taught boys for the first time at Hay in 1980. The number of students at the school was equal to the amount of staff at Sutherland.
“I’d been in big communities up until then. I went out to the plains and I loved the outback.”
Last year, St Mary’s Primary School at Young unveiled a shelter named after her.
“I came here and put my roots down here,” Sister Philomena said.
“I have been very happy in Young. Young has been very nice to me. I have lots of associations with lots of people. It’s been great.”
Since retiring, Sister Philomena has remained a busy member of the community and happily took up any invitation to help people.
She identified a time she helped a group of Afghan men learn english, and when she worked with a support group for people with mental disabilities.
“I’ve been involved in bits and pieces. I often get invited to things, I always say yes,” she said. A farewell is being held on September 1 before Sister Philomena moves to Wagga on September 3.
“I just want to thank the people of Young for many happy years I’ve had here, and the way people have accepted and cared for me. I certainly go away with lots of happy memories.”
