Former staff member, Sr Julie Thomas, died recently aged 83. Julie (far right in image below) was educated by the Brigidines at Echuca and was professed along with former Kilbreda Principal, Mary Dalton and former Captain, Reba Woodwiss in 1959.

She suffered in middle to mature age with a rare condition called leukodystrophy and threw herself into finding out as much as she could about the condition and in supporting others and their families. In fact, she started an Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group in 1992, which is now called Leukodystrophy Australia. This week, their website contained the following statement:

Sister Julie Thomas CSB OAM – 3 January 1940 – 6 February 2023

‘With great sadness, we wish to inform that our dear founder, past President, mentor, guiding light and great friend, Sister Julie Thomas CSB OAM, passed away on Monday 6 Feb 2023 after a sudden deterioration in her health over the previous weekend.

Julie’s vision and tireless efforts in shaping the organisation and supporting so many individuals and families impacted by leukodystrophies are the reason the organisation exists today as a National body. Sr Julie was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in January 2001 for her exceptional services to Australians affected by a rare and usually fatal neurological disorder, Leukodystrophy.”

Julie had one sister without the disease which mainly affects males. Her two dear brothers died before the age of 15 and, it is now believed that they too, were probably sufferers.

Sr Julie was still driving when she was at Kilbreda and valued her independence. She was a kind and gentle teacher, who, in her time here was involved in working with students one-on-one. Over the years, she has returned to Kilbreda whenever she could and I believe her visit for the Transfer of Land Ceremony, may have been her last time here.

On the morning of her Rosary, as I was approaching Kilbreda, a car whizzed around the corner, with what appeared to me to be Julie at the wheel. All I recall was a smile on the driver’s face. I couldn’t help but think that she was happy to be on the road again and headed for her next adventure.

Damian Smith
Archives