Reminiscences of Roma Mary Crutchley

[The following reminiscences are based on interviews conducted with Roma Crutchley during May 2019 by her son Michael Organ. A 33 minute interview is available on YouTube here . Comments from that interview, and subsequent discussions, are interspersed throughout the text below. Roma was aged 89 at the time these reminiscences were recorded. She passed away 6 months later at Wollongong Hospital on 27 October 2019 after an accidental fall at her Bulli residence.] Saint Mary’s Convent, Wollongong, circa 1930. This view is looking east from Market Street towards the intersection with Harbour Street. The substantial, church-like brick buildings on the left remain in place (2019), though with altered roof lines and exposed brickwork. They contained the chapel and administrative offices. The wooden structure extending out on the right was the former Royal Marine Hotel which in 1874 had been converted into a convent and school with residences for the nuns and accommodation for boarders.