Mother Damian Duncombe became the fourth woman to lead the Sisters of Mercy. Born in Hughenden in 1899, Sister Mary Damian taught at All Hallows’ Girls’ School from 1927 to 1944 when she became the Superior at Mater and, in 1950, its first Sister Administrator. A shrewd, able administrator, with a keen interest in new ideas and new methods, Mother Damian started the McAuley Teachers’ College, reflecting her determination that the young Sisters would be educated. She also established the Sisters mission in New Guinea and built cottage homes at St Vincent’s orphanage.

Mother Damian was passionately interested in Mater Mother’s Hospital, which opened in December 1960. The new hospital admitted its first patients on 2 February 1961, exactly 50 years after the first patients were admitted to Mater Public. 1961 was also the Centenary of the Sisters arrival in Queensland.