[1] This lack of food, caused by the devastating impacts of colonisation, was a major factor that attracted so many Arrernte people to the many missions that were established in Alice Springs.
[4] The mission was established 1 October 1935, on the feast day of St Therese of Lisieux, which is also known as 'Little Flower' and it was initially located in the Alice Springs town centre; on Bath Street.
The missions new location on the Charles River, nearby the Alice Springs Telegraph Station (which was then operating at The Bungalow), was on the town's northern boundary and was still only a short walk to the presbytery.
[5] At this new site McGarry, and the newly arrived Brother Ed Bennett,[1] sank a well and built a schoolroom, kitchen and laundry; working side-by-side with Arrernte men from the mission.
[3] Following the completion of these buildings, and after forming an advisory council of 8 senior Aboriginal men, they pegged out plots on the mission site for each family and built Wurlies on them.