New Norcia Benedictine Community

This Benedictine community was started in 1846 by a group of monks who arrived from Spain.
The local Aboriginal community embraced the monks and together they developed a mission here.
Over time as the Abbots changed, so did the focus of the monastery
The girls school was the focus of the movie "The Rabbit Proof Fence" Although these kids were considered to be a "stolen generation" there is evidence that in fact they were not so much "stolen" as "saved" from a decidedly uncertain future. The Monks are actively working toward reconciliation with local aboriginal people
By 2017, there are 10 monks living here, all Australian. The land has been leased out for farming and the buildings are no longer used as schools.
Visitors can stay here as a retreat to seek their own spirituality..personally, I cant think of a better place to do this