The heart of the Mercy Exchange lay in the open, engaging, discerning, and fruitful table conversations centred around the Mercy Charism and legacy.

The Vietnamese Catholic Community of Perth responds with great gratitude for the 30 years of service Sister Patricia Byrne (formerly Sister M St Gemma Galgani) RNDM dedicated to the Vietnamese and Cambodian refugee communities of Perth. Having had a very full and rich life of education, travel and an abundance of helping others, many are grateful to have crossed paths with her.

We know from her subsequent letter writing, how much Mary relished, the sights and sounds of Fremantle and Perth. From the ship, she was warmly greeted by relatives, including her paternal uncle John Glowrey and his family. John became a Western Australian MLC and was the successful publican of the Palace Hotel on St George’s Tce.