The Sisters of the Good Samaritan had been working in the town since 1893 and by 1901, they were teaching 47 students.

Four sisters were initially living in a cottage on the corner of Osborne and Douglas Streets and they taught in two classrooms erected alongside.

With the great call for Catholic education, plans were soon made for the construction of a convent and three acres of land at the corner of Junction and Shoalhaven Streets was purchased for 328 pounds.

Sydney based architects Sheerin and Hennessy were engaged to design the building and the contract was let to Nowra builder George Muller in August 1904.

The construction was completed in time for an official opening the following April, when the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Moran officiated.

The large building was described as “two-storied, of brick, a handsome structure with lofty rooms and possessing every convenience”, which was “handy to the business part of town, yet secluded”.  

Unfortunately the opening was marred by heavy rain that fell throughout the day and the bunting erected for the occasion assumed a bedraggled appearance. 

However, Cardinal Moran took the credit for the weather and several speakers lamented that he had not come earlier to break the drought.

During proceedings, parish priest Father Patrick Holland read a balance sheet showing the builder had been paid 1257 pounds and the architect 80 pounds plus travelling.

Donations on opening day amounted to 232 pounds, headed by Cardinal Moran and the Mother-General of the Good Samaritan Order.

The classrooms from the former site were moved by bullock dray and located alongside the convent.

An advertisement for boarders published prior to the opening stated the course of instruction was a thorough English education, including French, Latin, shorthand and typewriting and music. Singing, painting, plain and fancy needlework and lacework were all part of the curriculum. 

This was the centre of Catholic education until 1918 when the first brick building was constructed on the North Street site and the much travelled classrooms were moved once more. The sisters lived in the convent building for 87-years, after which time it was sold into private hands.