Mary MacKillop Penola Centre — Attraction in Penola

I drove through Penola a couple of years ago and came across the Mary Mackillop Centre. Unfortunately it was after hours and closed at the time, but I really wanted to come back to see the museum and school house. Today I finally visited the centre in Penola and boy was I glad I did. This place is beautifully presented. So much work has gone into telling the story of Mary MacKillop and the key people who contributed to her life and achievements, but also the story of Penola. It is told with so much pride and celebration. I spent two hours but could have spent longer reading all the information, taking in the story and looking at all the exhibitions. This centre should be visited by more people even if you are not religious, but to learn about our history and how these key figures have paved the way for the subsequent generations. Amazing place! I recommend a visit when travelling through and even better factor in a stay in Penola to take in this...

Not just a memorial to an amazing woman in Australian history, (and an amazing priest in Tennyson Woods) but a testament to the guts and determination of ALL Australians who survived (not just lived) through that brutal time in history. Beautifully, simply, graphically depicted in logical, well thought out sequence with well crafted easy to read and understand displays and relevant images. For the entrance fee, this place is far too cheap for what you get, but it's priced for normal people, fsnilies,the people in the street. Only $8 for adults, children free!! This place isn't just Churchie history. It's a part of Australian history. Without the contribution, pain, sunburn, mozzy bites, blood, saddle sores, sweat, and tears, Australia would not be the place it is today, but, to theirs and our peril, there are some who are determined to not only wipe out the memory of these gutsy pioneers, but the very foundation of society they...

It was great. Lots to see. A bit about Catholicism and Mary MacKillop's work, a bit of local history, a bit of biology -who knew Father Julian Tennison Woods was so into botany and the natural world?! The gardens were lovely and it gave us a chance to see a corner of the world we wouldn't have otherwise explored. There was something for everyone. There were a few things for the kids to play with and lots of things to look at and talk about. There's a little shop with some books, rosary beads and other religious things. We got prayer cards from the church and visited the little shrine there. We checked out the old schoolhouse too which was very well set up. The staff were so lovely and it was all very clean. Well worth the visit to Penola from Mt Gambier! It was also a lovely drive with the beautiful scenery and old trees...