The Gowola Homework Club primary school attendees farewell Sister Agnes Murphy after a decade of kindness and commitment to all children.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
After a decade of shaping young lives in Shepparton, the heartbeat behind one of the region’s most transformative programs for Indigenous children is preparing to leave the Gowola Homework Club and return to Melbourne.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
On Tuesday, May 26 Sister Agnes Murphy walked into the social club rooms at Rumbalara one last time, with her departure marking the end of an era for a community she has come to love deeply, and one that has embraced her just as much.
A Sister of Mercy and dedicated educator, Sister Agnes took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, living a life dedicated to God and serving others — particularly women and children.
From founding the Gowola Homework Club to Rumbalara taking over and Sister Agnes continuing as a volunteer, she has always worked for the children.
“It was the Aboriginal people that wanted the homework club. It was their choice but one we could take on so easily,” Sister Agnes said with joy.
Her journey to Shepparton began long before she ever set foot in the region.
While working with the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry for Victoria, she became aware of and inspired by the McAuley Champagnat Program running at Notre Dame College for disengaged students.
“I thought that maybe I could do something up in Shepparton for Aboriginal children,” she said.
And that thought quickly became a mission.
In 2015 she began making inquiries, and by 2016 had moved to Shepparton permanently — a decision that just fit.
“I couldn’t do what I wanted to do from Melbourne, I had to be here,” she said.
“My sisters have a long history here and that was more than motivation.
“Everything just fit.”
Original committee members Bernadette McPherson, Sister Pam Barlow and Joan Fisher farewell Sister Agnes.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Her arrival set in motion what would later become the Gowola Homework Club, a program she not only helped build but envisioned from the ground up.
After receiving permissions from the Shandhurst Diocese and the Sisters of Mercy, she connected with personnel from St Brendan’s Primary School, who then introduced her to community leaders.
“I spoke to them about what they wanted,” Sister Agnes said.
“It was my idea, they welcomed it.”
And together with Sister Shirley Garland, launched two programs: an in-school program and the Gowola Homework Club.
“The word ‘gowola’ means ‘kindness’ in Yorta Yorta language and was the closest thing to ‘mercy’,” she said.
It was the perfect word for a club rooted in compassion, respect and cultural safety.
At its peak, the Gowola Homework Club had 50 registered Year 1 to Year 10 students, with a bus collecting children from schools across Shepparton and Mooroopna.
The sessions ran like clockwork: children arrived hungry and were greeted by volunteers with food and drinks, followed by a Welcome to Country led by students themselves, and then learning began.
“They’re always hungry, the little ones when they arrive,” Sister Agnes said with a laugh.
The program was initially funded by Mercy Works, and later through philanthropic organisations after Rumbalara Football Netball Club took over in 2022.
Year 2 student Ally Giatrajos and Year 6 student Amiyah Bell thank Sister Agnes for her commitment to Indigenous children’s education with farewell gifts.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Today, only the Gowola Homework Club remains and with 40 steady volunteers, the program has expanded into two groups: Tuesdays for primary school students and Thursdays for high schoolers.
In recent years, Sister Agnes has only attended the primary school sessions, and with an even 20 students to volunteers, each child receives one-on-one supervision.
“It’s terrific, each child will do their own progression,” Sister Agnes said.
“I’m very pleased and gratified that what we tentatively thought as a possible program worked out this way.”
For her, the greatest reward has been watching the children grow.
“Our people do go through a lot of hardships here; doing this I can see these kids growing and leading happy lives,” Sister Agnes said.
Now, Sister Agnes is preparing for her return to Melbourne while she is still able to manage the move independently.
“I don’t want my sisters to have that worry,” she said.
The afternoon tea farewell gave the community a chance to thank a women who has given them so much one last time.
As the Gowola Homework Club prepares to continue without its steady force, it will always carry the imprint of Sister Agnes Murphy.
Sister Agnes Murphy’s afternoon tea farewell from the Gowola Homework Club.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
