McManus, Ellen ('Nellie')
Ellen McManus was born in 1872 in Wandella near Cobargo, the fourth of thirteen children to Thomas McManus and Maria nee Gildea. In 1878 her father, though without teaching experience, was nominated to take charge of the Wandella Provisional School. As he gained qualifications he was promoted to larger schools, the family relocating to Cobbobra, Breadalbane, Delegate, and Morisset in turn. This experience laid a foundation for Ellen and three of her siblings to become teachers.
In 1890 Ellen, then eighteen, left home to begin teaching, the second of the McManus siblings to do so, her older sister Mary having commenced two years previously. Ellen was appointed to Kowen Provisional, then under threat of closure due to declining attendance, and as an unqualified teacher paid at minimal salary. School enrolments evidently stabilised and Ellen was able to secure essential repairs including reroofing, installing a canvas-lined ceiling, and covering the cracks between slabs.
Ellen remained at Kowen for five years, seemingly satisfied with her appointment, although like many bush teachers she faced substantial health challenges. While given respect by the Kowen community, she struggled to achieve a teaching classification and to satisfy at school inspections. In 1893 she was admonished for neglecting to properly maintain school records including the Class Roll and Lesson Register, avowing 'the like shall not occur again'. Two years later, however, she was again found at fault and although she explained the defects were due to ill-health and 'the very irregular attendance of pupils', she was warned that if a further defect arose 'the question of dispensing with her services' would be considered. Shortly afterwards, Ellen submitted her resignation and entered religious life:
Miss Nellie McManus, teacher of Kowen public school, near Queanbeyan, having tendered her resignation, took her departure on Thursday evening 2nd inst. During her stay of about five years at Kowen she made many friends, which was evidenced by the large number that assembled at the Queanbeyan platform to wish her good-bye. By her estimable qualities and genial disposition she became a general favourite with all who knew her, and her departure from amongst them is looked upon with regret. Miss McManus has joined the community of the Sisters of Mercy at Yass, where she will find a wide field for the noble work she has undertaken. The lady in question is the second daughter of Mr. T. McManus, of Breadalbane Public School-a well-known and highly-respected resident of the district - and sister to the Misses McManus of Wingello and Binalong.
['Goulburn Evening Penny Post', 14 April 1896]
Three years after entering the convent, Ellen was professed, taking the name of Sister Mary Borgia. She persisted in her religious vocation until her death over fifty years later, and while renouncing her former life she did not forsake teaching, as evidenced by her obituary:
The death of one of the senior nuns of Mt. Carmel Convent, Sister Mary Borgia McManus, occurred at Young last Friday, at the age of 80 years ... For many years she held the post of Superior in the branch convents of Mt. Carmel, and always continued her duties in the schools connected with those Convents. She was an able and enthusiastic teacher and she left the imprint of her thoroughness upon her pupils. She ruled by gentleness rather than by fear, and her success as a teacher could be traced to her ardent and highly spiritual character. She looked to the souls of her pupils and endeavoured to aim at their uplift. Her communities will miss her from their ranks, they will miss her kindly, gentle, and charitable character.
['Yass-Tribune Courier', 21 August 1952, p 2.]
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2023. Sources consulted include NSW school teachers' rolls 1868-1908, NSW school and related records 1876-1979, historic newspapers, NSW births, deaths and marriages index, and 'Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region', (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.]
Schools
- Kowen School
07/1890 - 03/1896