Welcome to

Mount Erin Heritage Centre

Welcome to the Mount Erin Heritage Centre.

Here, you'll journey through the pivotal moments of our rich history, discover the passionate mission that guides our future, and meet the dedicated team committed to preserving this incredible legacy.

We're proud of the community we've built—see what our visitors have to say, and then find out how you can join us in writing the next chapter of Mount Erin's story.

Three elderly women with glasses looking at photo albums in a museum or historical exhibit with framed pictures and historical memorabilia on the walls.
A museum exhibit featuring a mannequin dressed in a vintage wedding gown with a veil, displayed in a glass case. Behind the gown, there are photographs and informational displays on the wall, including a black-and-white group photo, a color photo of women posing outdoors, and portraits of historical figures.

Our Rich History

 A number of years ago, there was a strong desire by Sisters and Ex-Students to encapsulate the lives of the Presentation Sisters Wagga Wagga, the history of the Mount Erin site and the many students who were educated by the Sisters and their colleagues from 1874.  In 2013, with the support of the Congregational Leadership Team, a committee was convened to make the Mount Erin Heritage Centre a reality and tell the story of the living out of the charism of Nano Nagle. 

The Mount Erin Heritage Centre is located at Wagga Wagga in the original Mount Erin Convent which was built 1874-76. This historic place is where five Presentation Sisters from Ireland established a convent and school in 1876. In the first two years, the Sisters established the first school in a disused stable in Johnson Street, near the current Cathedral while the convent was being built. Since then several schools have existed on the current site including St Brigid’s, St Marys, St Agnes’ Kindergarten, St Eugene’s, Mount Erin High School, Trinity Senior High School and presently Kildare Catholic College.

The Heritage Centre displays the history of the Presentation Sisters in the Riverina and beyond. A timeline, changes in dress, photographs and unique memorabilia show the Sisters’ life and Mission over the years. A harp brought from Ireland by the pioneer women and priceless lace are among the exhibits.

The Mount Erin Heritage Centre is situated in the original first classroom of St Mary’s which is now part of the Kildare Catholic College Campus. 

This is the story of the Ministries of the Presentation Sisters of Wagga Wagga.

In 1874, five Sisters responded to the invitation to come from Kildare, Ireland to Wagga Wagga to establish a school where children could be instructed in the Catholic Faith as well as other subjects that would help them on their life journey. It was fitting that their first school began in a stable. They lived for two years in the Cathedral Presbytery in cramped conditions and finally, on completion of Mount Erin convent in 1876, the Sisters moved and their convent and school were officially opened on 8 December.

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Our Mission

Our Mission: 

The mission of the Mount Erin Heritage Centre is to honour and preserve the heritage of the Presentation Sisters Wagga Wagga, and Mount Erin, through a professional, engaging, and accessible exhibition facility - which tells the story of the Congregation and the evolution of education on and from the Mount Erin site.

Our Vision:

Our vision is to be the keeper of two parallel, but inseparably intertwined stories: 

- that of the five sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Congregation (PBVM) from Kildare, Ireland, who journeyed to Wagga Wagga NSW in 1874 to establish  both a convent and a school, and their subsequent expansion into other towns and dioceses; 

- along with the history of the 40 acre parcel of land that is Mount Erin donated by John Donnelly, the construction of the Sacred Heart Convent paid for by John Cox, and fitted out with donations from the women of Wagga Wagga, and the seven schools that have occupied the site since to serve the Wagga Wagga region and surrounds. 


Wall exhibit with sepia portraits of women, labeled with their full names, under a quote about the story of the Presentation Sisters.

Meet the Team

Our team of dedicated staff and knowledgeable volunteers are the true heartbeat of the Centre. They are more than just guides; they are the custodians and storytellers committed to preserving the rich legacy held within these walls. Their enthusiasm and love for our local heritage are what transform a simple tour into an unforgettable journey, ensuring every visitor feels a personal connection to the past.


  • Centre Manager

    With a background and formal qualifications in management, leadership, education, environmental heritage and sustainability, Kaz has been Manager of the MEHC since July 2024.

    Kaz is an accredited Primary Teacher with a strong connection to the Presentation Sisters Wagga Wagga having managed one of their other ministries, ErinEarth, from 2017-2021. Kaz’s children also attended Kildare Catholic College - the current school on the Mount Erin site.

  • A small but mighty team of ex-students and teachers from schools on the Mount Erin site make up our volunteer group. These dedicated people assist the centre manager with tours, school/group visits, incoming acquisitions, cataloguing, promotion, open days, display planning and organisation.

    New volunteers are always needed and welcome.

    Please get in touch with the Manager on 0438 711 229 if you are interested.