The MacKillop Family in Portland
The whole MacKillop family settled in Portland except for Mary's brother John who was an itinerant carpenter.  Bayview House with its six rooms was large for its time and was like a palace to the MacKillops. With a good wage coming in from Mary's teaching the children could attend school and future employment assured for the younger family members.

Letters from this period show how the family appreciated this time of calm. Mary's sister Lexie wrote that she hoped Papa and Mama could maintain this peace and happiness. Mary's mother Flora responded thankfully to their living conditions, while Mary's father Alexander continued with his studies, reading and letter writing.

Mary at home in Portland
Portland School No 510, was a great learning experience for Mary, the young teacher. Governessing was one thing whilst class management was quite different. Mary was a natural teacher. She understood and loved children whilst having herself received an exceptionally good education from her father, himself a very learned man.

Mary made many friends in Portland and thirteen girls from the surrounding districts later joined her in the order of religious sisters she co-founded. Mary’s happiness, generosity and friendly spirit assured her of many friends. Many were the dance parties Mary attended. One gentleman was  hoping to marry Mary.  A local identity, Angelo Barnaby Rodriquez, a Portugese gentleman even told how he "saw" Mary at the head of a line of "brown-robed virgins".
     

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