Caroline Chisholm - a prophetic voice in church and society

Caroline Chisholm is undoubtedly an Australian heroine. Most Australians are familiar with her work assisting young unmarried women arriving in the colony of New South Wales, often with no contacts, and having to find their way in the world. She did much, much more than that. The fact that still surprises many is that she was a Catholic and that her work arose from strong religious conviction. Her extraordinary contribution to the wellbeing of others has not escaped the notice of the Anglican or Uniting Churches, and even the Jewish community, but still appears to elude official recognition from the church to which she gave her allegiance.