Mabel Nicholas

Mabel Nicholas OBE who became Sister Rosalie (13 July 1866 – 16 July 1958) was a UK-born Anglican Sister and a founder and principal of Perth College for girls.

Life Nicholas was born in the London area of Kilburn in 1866. Her parents were Mary Ellen (born Hodding) and a wine merchant named John Nicholas. She made her first donation to Emily Ayckbowm's Community of the Sisters of the Church when she was four years old. She gave money to feed breakfasts for poor schoolchildren. Her parents were well off and she became a novice in 1892, In 1895 she took the name of Sister Rosalie encouraged by Emily Ayckbowm to use her talent for business organisation.

Her contribution to the founding of Perth College was significant. The sisters chose Mount Lawley in Perth as a location for their school but it was Nicholas and the diocese's secretary who raised the money in Perth to build it. She then went to England where she gained the support of Arthur Winnington-Ingram, the Bishop of London, and the editors of two newspapers. They assisted her in publicising the nun's appeal for financial support, By 1916 she was able to supervise the opening of the new school and the school in Kalgoorlie closed. She is reported to have said "What for?"