Sisters of the Order of Perpetual Indulgence - Sydney House

16/07/2026

12/06/2026

If you'd like a LGBTQIA+ history lesson from nuns in heels & Trough Man, the Sisters of the Order of Perpetual Indulgence - Sydney House have you covered. Read more: https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/join-the-sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence-trough-man-for-a-newtown-q***r-history-walk/242130

10/06/2026

🌈🚶‍♀️ PRIDE MONTH HISTORY WALK 🚶‍♂️🌈
As part of Pride Month and the Pride Centre’s ongoing commitment to preserving our community’s stories since 2010, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence invite you to join us for a gloriously inappropriate stroll through Newtown’s q***r history.
Join community legend Barry Charles (“Trough Man”) as he guides us through the triumphs, scandals, protests, parties, and occasional bad decisions that helped shape Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Expect history, laughter, activism, mischief, and enough gossip to make a church committee nervous.
📍 Pride Centre
📅 27 June
⏰ 10:30am
Come for the history. Stay for the rumours. Finish at the pub.
Amen, Awomen, Atrans, Algbtqia+

01/06/2026

The Bear Pit 23/05/2026
Last weekends bear Pit went off more smoothly than a nun on roller skates after two chardonnays, and it truly in would not have happened without our fabulous Sisters and Brothers working the room like the holy professionals they are.
A huge thank you to Sister Rosacea, who kept the bags organised with the precision of a Vatican archivist guarding scandalous letters from the 1970s. Meanwhile, Brother Al Dante was stationed at the door handing out plastic bags like they were communion wafers at Easter Mass “Take one, my child, and go forth in glitter.”
The evening also gave us a wonderful opportunity to speak with the Gavin faithful about the Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence and the work we do in the community. Plenty of laughs, conversations, and curious souls wondering if sainthood now comes with sequins.
Sister Verandah was, as always, in absolutely divine form throughout the night directing Sisters and Brothers where needed with the authority of a slightly tipsy Mother Superior at bingo night. He also spent much of the evening helping patrons in various states of undress, distress, and emotional confession, offering assistance with kindness, humour, and very little judgement. Truly pastoral care in its purest form.
Special thanks as well to Richard, who was lovingly roped into service by Sister Verandah and survived the experience with both dignity and sensible footwear intact.
And heartfelt thanks to Scott from Sydney Harbour Bears for supporting us in this fabulous new adventure. The gathered faithful were wonderfully patient and polite as we relocated bags, coats, and what I can only assume were several poor life choices entrusted into our care for safekeeping.
All up, a fantastic night filled with community, laughter, service, and just enough chaos to keep the saints interested.

Attending order members:

Sister ophelia ring
Novice pastor al dente
Novice sister verandah gobbie
Novice sister Rosacea

Volunteer guard Richard thank you so much for your help xo

25/05/2026

On May 17, Reverend Sister Ophelia Ring was joined by Postulant Sister Rosacea of the Immaculate Complexion in attending ACON and Positive Life NSW's annual candlelight vigil honouring those in the community lost to HIV. This solemn and important event highlighted those we have lost (including many sisters) and the many more working to find a cure to those living with HIV today. The sisters chatted and regaled with fellow audience members on memories of friends, family and the community.🙏🏳️‍🌈

20/05/2026

On Sunday the 17th of May, the Sisters once again ventured forth with the Gathered Faithful for day two of our history walks with University of Sydney. Guided by our beloved historian Barry Charles, we journeyed through the sacred halls of Qtopia Sydney and once more traced the holy route of the 78ers with curious hearts and eager minds walking beside us.

Together we shared the gospel of q***r history, protest, resilience, and liberation with the faithful of Sydney Uni, while many curious passers-by joined our wandering congregation throughout the pilgrimage. It was a truly beautiful day spent in fellowship, storytelling, and joyful reflection.

We concluded our walk with a Q&A back at the Substation Theatre at Qtopia, and we pray we helped inspire, indulge, and free a few young inquisitive souls from the burdens of stigmatic guilt. This manifestation also marked the very first holy outing for Novice Brother Bothways and the second manifestation for Postulant Sister Rosacea of the Immaculate Complexion. Thank you to Sydney Uni for such a wonderful weekend of learning, laughter, and perpetual joy.

And of course, as all proper pilgrimages should, the evening concluded with sacred libations and sacramental delights at the holy halls of the Oxford Hotel.

Dingo vobiscum

Attending Order Members:

Bary Charels (Historian)

Sister Rowena Keeper of the Holey Doyley

Novice Sister Verandah Gobbie

Novice Brother Bothways

Postulant Sister Rosacea of the Immaculate Complexion

20/05/2026

18/05/2026

On Saturday the 16th of May, day one of our Sydney Uni Q***r History Walks commenced.

The Sisters gathered at the Oxford Hotel in eager excitement awaiting the arrival of the Gathered Faithful from Sydney University, ready to explore the wonders, struggles, protest and triumphs of q***r history. Guided by our wonderful historian Barry Charles, we journeyed through stories of this sacred land, from its traditional custodians, through the rise of Oxford Street as a thriving q***r hub, to witnessing the victim of its own success we see today.

We followed in the footsteps of the 78ers and the very first Mardi Gras protesters, learning of the courage, joy and defiance that shaped our community. Along the pilgrimage we were even approached by a less than allied passer-by who, with the power of a “loving and accepting god” apparently by his side, informed us that we were disgusting and undeserving of love or acceptance. In doing so he wonderfully demonstrated the hypocrisy that birthed the Order’s serious parody origins in the first place, and gave the Gathered Faithful a genuine piece of living q***r history you simply cannot buy haha.

The journey also led us through the wonderful Qtopia Sydney who graciously hosted us, where we concluded the day with a Q&A in the beautiful Loading Dock Theatre.

Thank you to University of Sydney, Qtopia Sydney and the amazing Barry Charles for such a wonderful and meaningful day.

DINGO VOBISCUM 🙏😇

Attending Order Members:

- Barry Charles — Historian
- Sister Rowena Keeper of the Holy Doyley
- Sister Beefcake Tenderloins
- Novice Pastor Al Dente of the Damned Dental Dam
- Novice Sister Verandah Gobbie