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Located in Chippendale, next to USYD, UTS and Notre Dame, Bellarmine House is a residence for young adults, usually school leavers pursuing tertiary studies.
The House is an intentional community where we live like a family – sharing our stories, growth – and the chores! Residents commit to 6 volunteer hours per week to serve and engage with our local and partner communities. The House seeks to offer a space to deepen human, spiritual, and intellectual formation; cultivating in residents a “faith that does justice”. Your housemates will quickly become friends for life!
The House has two floors with a large open plan living/dining/kitchen area and two bedroom wings. Cost for full board (room and meals) approx. $5750 per semester in 2022.
For further questions, contact the Rector of Bellarmine House, Father Ramesh Richards SJ at: ramesh.richards@thecardonerproject.org
Bellarmine House Application 2023 Semester 1
Bellarmine House Handbook
All rules, values and expectations are outlined.
Below are examples of what your bedroom at Bellarmine House could look like.
Describe your experience at Bellarmine House.
I first joined Bellarmine House in Semester 1 2020 with Charlotte O’Brien as the first female residents. From there, we have expanded to 8 girls and 9 boys in Semester 1 2021. I have been so lucky to be surrounded by a diverse group of housemates who have always supported me in life following high school. As a Bellarmine House resident, you always have friends to go out with – whether it’s for a “coffee date”, a quick Lansdowne drink or a trip to go-karting. We get up to so much fun and have grown together as adults during a pretty difficult time in the world.
Throughout my time here I have also had many experiences and opportunities offered to me within the Cardoner community. From volunteer tutoring Thai students and sharing our dinner with the marginalised in Surry Hills, the service aspect of Bellarmine ensures we are continually aware of our local community.
I couldn’t have asked for a better home these past two years and recommend to anyone to give Bellarmine House a chance because you won’t regret it!
What is your favourite part of living in Bellarmine House?
Bellarmine House has been an incredible experience that I feel privileged to have been involved in over the last two years. I’ve loved immersing myself in all the different aspects of The Cardoner Project, working both as an intern and as a volunteer in the Two Wolves: Community Cantina. Living so close to University has also been a great perk, but my favourite part of Bellarmine House has undoubtedly been the community that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of, and all the long-lasting friendships I’ve developed and strengthened during my time as a resident.
Why would you recommend this to someone who might be on the fence?
It’s hard for me to recommend one finite reason as to why someone considering moving into Bellarmine House should take the plunge for their first semester, as every resident will have their own unique and enriching experience with the House. I can only guarantee that moving in will make you a part of something that will always surprise you and will unquestionably help you to grow as a person, intellectually, socially and spiritually.
What was an unexpected highlight for you?
As much as I’ve loved the weekends away, long dinners at community night and living in Chippendale, it’s been the little things that have arguably been my biggest and most surprising highlights whilst living in Bellarmine House. It was always a high point in the day when, after coming back from a long shift at work or University, I’d come into the kitchen and just run into a bunch of friends who were always ready to share stories from their day. It’s been a real pleasure of mine to witness and become invested in the passions of others, and have that support and interest reciprocated by my housemates. These incidental conversations have been some of my favourite whilst in the house.
Yes. We welcome all young adults, from the age of 18+
There are two floors. The first floor is located above the Cantina and is composed of the female wing and the common room (kitchen, dining and lounge). The second floor is exclusively the male wing.
There is a weekly roster; 1-2 residents are rostered on every night, excluding Friday and Saturday, and are expected to shop across the road at Broadway shopping centre and cook dinner for the other residents who are in for dinner. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are made by each resident at their leisure. These groceries are provided in one large weekly shop. All bedroom and bathroom cleaning is also organised by the residents themselves, and one large common room cleanup is done by the whole group once a week.
Semester 1 2023 will cost $5750, including board and all meals.
The recommended and average stay is 3 semesters, however it is common for residents to stay for 4 or more.
Each resident is expected to behave according to the Bellarmine House Handbook. This includes caring, respecting and listening to one another.
There are no curfews, as each resident is treated like an adult. However, visitors are not allowed in the House after 11pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Parties must also be approved by the Rector.
The whole House is expected to be present for our formal Community mass, dinner and sharing every Sunday night.
Each resident is also expected to commit to 6 volunteer hours, ranging from volunteering in the Cantina, assisting with our Sunday Outreach program, online English tutoring to Thai students, to helping with school activities at Redfern Jarjum College.
No it is not required. Our residents are composed of a variety of school-leavers, college-leavers and Two Wolves Abroad placement and immersion alumni.
