110 years ago, when Kilbreda, the first urban Brigidine school, was still in its infancy the decision was made to establish the novitiate in Mentone where young nuns or novices would be trained.

A suitable building, not far from the convent was sought. The choice made was ‘Mabernoul’ at 86 Mentone Parade, the former home of Mentone’s ‘founder’, Sir Matthew Davies. The property was deemed suitable as it backed onto St Benedict’s Park (the back oval) and sisters would not need to walk publicly on the Parade to access it.

The venture was short-lived, lasting only a few years until 1918, when a new urban school was established in Malvern. At that point, the novitiate house was moved there, and Mabernoul was sold.

A further connection with the convent was established in the 1930s when the property was bought by the Spillane family, whose daughters attended the school. Mr Spillane, who was a native of County Cork, named it ‘Bantry’ after his hometown there. It remained so called until the arrival of its present owners removed the sign. A previous owner did so too, until, after a conversation with me about the building’s history, it was reinstated.

Sadly, after a meeting late last year with ‘Mrs Mentone Station’ Dorothy Booth, I learned the fate of the building, perhaps the second most historic in Mentone after our own. It appears that the present owners, with no interest in Mentone’s history, plan to demolish the building, but, as there has been opposition to their plan, have been unable to do so. Their response has been to vacate the building, allowing it to fall into natural disrepair and then claim that it must be pulled down for the sake of the community’s safety! What a pity that a legal loophole may allow the removal of an iconic Mentone landmark!

Damian Smith

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