St Mary’s is Darwin’s oldest primary school and the only school within the Darwin CBD. Bound by Lindsay, Cavanagh, Smith and McLachlan Streets, the school is situated adjacent to St Mary’s Cathedral and was established in 1908 and until 2002 was run by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

Originally the school was called St Joseph’s. It survived the Darwin bombings of WWII although it was shaken badly when a bomb fell beside it. The school was closed down during WWII from 1942 until 1945. In 1967 the school was rebuilt and renamed St Mary’s Primary School. After Cyclone Tracy, St Mary’s was the only Catholic primary school to function in Darwin during 1975.

The Alumni Association embarked on a major project to mark the school’s 100^th year milestone. Over 4 years the Alumni Association has compiled stories, photos and memorabilia from past students of St Mary’s and St Joseph’s.

Dr. Bev Phelts, a historian, and the dedicated committee, collated all the fascinating information presented in the book:

 St Mary’s: The Life and Times of a Parish School, 1908 to 2008

Books can be purchased from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School front office for $20.00.

*Alumni Association – a coordinator is currently not available