WelCom February 2022
In 1910, Wellington celebrated the 50th anniversary of Suzanne Aubert’s arrival in New Zealand with a concert in the Town Hall. The money raised helped to build the Jubilee Ward for disabled children at Mother Aubert’s Home of Compassion at Island Bay.
This photo was taken at the opening ceremony of the Jubilee Wing at the Home of Compassion in February 1912.
Standing: centre-back, is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Wellington Thomas O’Shea sm; second to his right is Eileen Ward (daughter of Sir Joseph and Lady Theresa Ward – Sir Joseph Ward was New Zealand’s Prime Minister, 1906–1912 and 1928–1930).
Seated: at front left is Mrs TG Macarthy (Mary Ellen, wife of prominent Wellington businessman, Thomas George Macarthy) talking with Suzanne Aubert. In the centre is Governor Lord Islington (Sir John Poynder Dickson-Poynder Islington, Governor to New Zealand, 1910–1912) with Archbishop Francis Redwood and Lady Theresa Ward on his right.
Photo: Zak, Home of Compassion, 1912