Shipping Intelligence, The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, 4 January 1850, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3171201:

Arrived.—On the 29th ult. the Spanish man-of-war La Ferrolana, 30 guns, Capt. Don José Maria de Quesada, from Cadiz 6th October. Passengers—Right Rev. Bp. Serra, Revds. D. Salvadore Marino and D. M. Urquhart, and 36 Spanish and Italian lay-brethren and artizans. [...]

The announcement of the arrival of a Spanish man-of-war in our port on Saturday last, caused no little excitement in our generally, unexcitable community, more particularly as until the evening no further intelligence, as to the cause of her visit, could be obtained. She is a fine frigate of 32 guns with a complement of 220 men. On coming to an anchor she saluted with 18 guns, which compliment, however, it was not in the power of the authorities at Fremantle to return, until Monday morning; but in order to explain this apparent discourtesy the Resident R. M'B, Broun, Esq., immediately went off to her, and informed Capt. Quesada of our meagre possessions in the way of ordnance—that what he saw on the Gaol hill was not a fort, but merely three or four old guns, only one of which was fit for service, and, we verily believe, he might have added there was not sufficient powder at hand, even if there were a sufficiency of cannon, to return his courtesy. La Ferrolana, such is the name of the frigate, she left Cadiz on the 6th October, for a voyage round the world; she has touched at no port, and made a good passage of 84 days, including several days calm; she brings us a large accession to our population, in the shape of thirty-nine ecclesiastics and artizans, headed by Bishop Serra, who, it may be remembered left this for Europe, in the Merope, in February, 1848, on a mission for the furtherance of the interests of the Roman Catholic Church in this province, in which he has been so far successful as to return, not only with an increase of dignity to himself, but also with ample means for carrying on the Roman Catholic mission for the conversion of the aborigines. Bishop Serra was originally consecrated to preside over the mission in North Australia, but, from representations made, we believe by Dr. Brady, his destination was changed for this province, as coadjutor Bishop, and in his place Father Rosendo Salvado has been consecrated for N. Australia; we hear, however, it is not at all improbable that, in consequence of that settlement having been abandoned by the British Government, Bishop Salvado will likewise be stationed in this province, at Albany. The two native boys taken to Europe by Bishop Salvado, have been placed in the school for the children for the nobility at Naples, previous to which they were created noblemen (!) by the title it is said, of Earl, (probably Count, or Marquis.) The thanks of the Colony are justly due to Bishop Serra, although, of course, his first object was the promotion of the welfare of his Church, still in doing so, he has also furthered in no slight degree the interests of his adopted country, by introducing into it so large an accession of population, some of whom, coming from countries pre-eminently famed for the growth of the vine and olive, are doubtless well acquainted, with their cultivation, and will do much towards the development here; we understand that all have been selected with care for their aptitude at the different professions they exercise. The immediate cause of the arrival of this body of settlers in a man-of-war, was through the intercession of the Papal Nuncio at the Court of Madrid, by whose interest they were generously granted a free passage by the Spanish Government.

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Notice, The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, 18 January 1850, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.article3171244:

Notice is hereby given that Bishop Serra, Temporal Administrator of Perth, will not from this date be answerable for any debts contracted by persons belonging to the Roman Catholic Mission of Western Australia, if not authorised by himself.
By His Lordship's order,
V. Garrido,
Secretary.
Perth, Jan. 17, 1850.

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Shipping Intelligence, Inquirer, Perth, 13 February 1850, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65739495:

Sailed.— On the 8th instant, the ship Acadia, J. C. Dunn, master, for Ceylon. Passengers—Right Rev. Dr. Brady, Rev. Dr. Marino, the Ladies of Mercy Mary Ursula and Mary Ann, and Signr. V. Garrido.[...]

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Shipping Intelligence. Arrived, Inquirer, Perth, 17 August 1853, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65485372:

On the 14th, barque John Panter, from London, having touched at the Cape of Good Hope. Passengers—About 50 of the Roman Catholic Mission.

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Inquirer, Perth, 24 August 1853, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65485681:

The following is a list of the passengers per "John Panter" belonging to the Catholic Mission at Victoria Plains:—Dr. Salvado, (Bishop), Rev. Messrs. Garrido and Rivaya, Benedictine Monks (Spaniards), Rev. R. Martelli, priest (Italian), Rev. T. O'Neill, priest, and Messrs. M. Mulrooney and M. Broderick, schoolmasters (Irish), Messrs. Simon, Mas, Bella, Alfonso, Oliveras, Ramis, Sala, Zorralva, Palon, Ferrer, Salvado, Binessa, Fargas, Arnal, Oriol, Bernich, Oltra, Palleja, Bancells, Clos, Pich, Zomas, Cabané, Monner, Chirgo, Pesqué, Alsina, Corchon, Planella, M. Zomas, Miro, Martinez, Veleda, Martin, Ventura, Serra, and Rivers, Benedictine novices (Spaniards).

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Western Australia, Ordinance 17 Vic 11 (1854, No. 11):

An Ordinance to naturalize the Reverend Martin Griver, the Reverend Venancio Garrido, and the Reverend Pedro Aragon. [ Assented to 20th May, 1854.

Whereas the Reverend Martin Griver, the Reverend Venancio Garrido, and the Reverend Pedro Aragon have applied to be admitted to the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects, and whereas it is expedient to comply with the said Applications; Be it therefore enacted by His Excellency the Governor of Western Australia and its Dependencies by and with the Advice and Consent of the Legislative Council thereof:-
1. That the said Reverend Martin Griver, the Reverend Venancio Garrido, and the Reverend Pedro Aragon be, and they hereby are naturalized and enabled to purchase and hold Lands, and to enjoy all the other Privileges of natural born British Subjects within the Limits of the Colony of Western Australia save and except only the holding or exercising of any Place or Office of Trust in the Courts of Law or connected with the Treasury therein.

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Registrar General's Office, Perth, January 1, 1857, The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, 9 January 1857, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2929711:

In accordance with the 15th Section of the Ordinance 19 Vict. No 12, intituled "An Ordinance for the better Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, in the colony of Western Australia," the following list of Ministers duly registered in this office as authorised to celebrate marriage in their respective Districts in the said colony, is published for general information:- [...]
Garrido, Rev. Venantio, Fremantle, Roman Catholic Chaplain.[...]

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[Found], The Perth Gazette and West Australian Times, 11 August 1865, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3755837:

Brought in from our run with our horses, a grey mare, about three years old, 14 hands high ; black points, white star on forehead ; no brand visible. If not claimed by the time allowed by Law, will be sold to defray expenses.
V. Garrido.
New Norcia, Victoria Plains, 31st July, 1865.

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Victoria Plains, The Perth Gazette and West Australian Times, 7 December 1866, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3754833:

(From a Correspondent.)
On Sunday, the 25th November, the very interesting and rare ceremony of the marriage of a native man and woman, took place at the Benedictine Mission, Victoria Plains. The bride and bridegroom having been educated at the Mission, were bound together in holy matrimony according to the rites and ceremonies of the Catholic Church. The lady appeared dressed in white, and very neatly dressed too, attended by one bridesmaid suitably dressed also. The bridegroom appeared also neatly dressed, and accompanied by the "best man," a fine looking half-caste, dressed in the most approved fashion. The ceremony being over, (and a very solemn and interesting one it is) the married pair, accompanied by their friends, sat down to an excellent breakfast, 8 o'clock being the hour at which the marriage rite was performed. I had the pleasure of shaking hands with the happy couple and wishing them the usual amount of good things of this world. In the evening I was present at tea when about 50 natives were entertained of all ages, and their conduct and bearing would not have done discredit to any community of whites. To Father Garrido, Father Coll, and Father Martinez, all credit is due for their great kindness to the natives under their care, and to their unwearied attention, their great zeal and wonderful patience, the high state of civilization to which they have brought these natives is due. Not only their religious instruction is attended to, but their worldly interests are not neglected, for the happy couple had a neat cottage of two rooms furnished for them, and neat and comfortable it was. The married natives are all similarly looked after, all have cottages of two rooms furnished. Indeed many of the white settlers of this colony would be glad to have equal to them. A visit to this settlement will repay any one the fatigue of a journey from Perth.

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The Aborigines Mission Station at New Norcia, Victoria Plains, The Inquirer and Commercial News, Perth, 18 September 1867, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article69384735:

For some years past, and indeed from its inauguration, this establishment in connection with the Roman Catholic Church, has steadily and encouragingly increased, under the untiring zeal of the gentlemen under whose individual supervision its affairs have been managed. Many natives who have been trained and educated at the Mission, have small tenements on the estate, having married and settled on small blocks of land, on which they produce their own corn and rear their own stock; while there are now about sixty inmates of the station— men, women, and children—all of whom are being educated and brought up in habits of thrift and industry, and have the opportunity of select ing for themselves any mechanical occupation they choose. About 200 acres of land are cropped with wheat and barley, and a vineyard, comprising 3 or 4 acres, has been enclosed and planted. A chapel has been erected on the station, at which upwards of 130 persons attend. The Rev. V. Garrido, the acting principal of the establishment, has kindly promised us several photographic illustrations taken of the natives while employed at their various occupations, many of which we have already seen. They are exceedingly interesting, and clearly show that the benighted denizens of our soil are capable of refinement and of being brought to a high state of civilization. It has been suggested that the native lads might be brought down to fete His Royal Highness Prince Alfred on his arrival ; and we have reason to know that the request would be cheerfully responded to by the principal of the mission, the Rev. V. Garrido.

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Shipping Intelligence. Port of Fremantle. Arrived, The Inquirer and Commercial News, Perth, 24 February 1869, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66031788:

Feb. 19.— Argo, 34 tons, Owens, master, from Bunbury. Passengers—Rev. V. Garrido, [...]

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Benedictines in Western Australia, The Perth Gazette and West Australian Times, 12 March 1869, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3755777:

To the Editor of the Perth Gazette & W. A. Times.
Sir,—Be so kind as to insert in your next issue the following few lines:—

In the first number of "The Era" I read an article under the above heading, which I, in my capacity of temporary Head of the New Norcia Mission, Victoria Plains, feel bound not to let go unnoticed.

While giving to the writer of the article full credit for good intentions, and thanking him for the encomiastic strain in which he speaks of the Benedictine Order in general, and this Institution in particular, I deeply regret that he did not approach his subject with a less imperfect acquaintance with the circumstances connected with it. Had he done so, he would have guarded against the prodigious mistakes with which his composition is replete.

To point them out would be a long and unnecessary labor.

I am, Sir,
Yours truly,
V. Garrido.

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Victoria Plains. Visit of His Excellency Governor Weld, The Perth Gazette and West Australian Times, 19 November 1869, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3754285:

The reception of His Excellency Governor Weld by the Fathers and community of the R. C. Mission, Victoria Plains, was grand yet simple and religious. The Very Rev. Prior Garrido, accompanied by the Very Rev. Canon Martelli and two natives, all well mounted, went to meet His Excellency; they met him about four miles from the Mission and joined him leading the way towards it. As soon as the party became visible to those on the look out, orders were given and the bells began to ring, and preparations were made for the reception. [...]

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Convent School, Perth. Distribution of Prizes, The Herald, Fremantle, 22 January 1870, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106236743:

The Annual distribution of Prizes to the pupils attending the first school of the Sisters of Mercy, Perth, took place in their new school room at half past 4 p.m., on Friday the 14th instant. [...] among the visitors we noticed His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Weld, Very Rev. M. Griver, Canon Martelli, Very Rev. Garrido, [...]

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Deaths, The Inquirer and Commercial News, Perth, 24 August 1870, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66031112:

Garrido.— At New Norcia, Victoria Plains, on the 12th instant, the Very Rev. Father Venanzio Garrido, the acting Superior of the Benedictine Monastery aud Native Mission; aged 60; deeply lamented by the religious community over which he presided. Father Garrido was for many years a Missionary Priest of this Diocese, and discharged the duties of his sacred office in the districts of York, Toodyay, and Bunbury, with a zeal, earnestness, and simplicity that secured for him the love of his own flock, and the esteem of all who knew him. The intelligence of his death will be received with sorrow by all his friends, to whom he endeared himself by his kindness, his humility, and his spirit of self-abnegation. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." R.I.P.

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Gravestone inscription: Hic iacet Venantius Garrido OSB Hispanus, primus Novae Nursiae Prior, qui per annos viginti et unum pro Aboriginum conversione laborando et orando de missione optime meritus est. Obiit pr. id. Augusti an. MDCCCLXX aetatis suae LX. Orate pro eo. [Here lies Venanzio Garrido OSB, native of Spain, first Prior of New Norcia, who through 21 years of work and prayer for the conversion of the Aborigines has well deserved the reward for his mission. He died on 12 August 1870, aged 60. Pray for him.]

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Victoria Plains, The Perth Gazette and West Australian Times, 26 August 1870, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3749565:

Two very remarkable events have taken place at the Roman Catholic Mission; last Saturday was buried the remains of the much beloved and respected Rev. V. Garrido ; a dark cloud of grief was visible on the faces of all the brothers and Fathers as they followed the remains of their venerable superior and companion in their troubles and labors. On the Monday after the great ceremony of the Profession took place; forty brothers made the sacred vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; the ceremony was very religious and so serious that those who were present will never forget it. The music, instrumental and vocal, was of the best professors and executed with masterly hand.

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The Very Reverend Father Garrido, O.S.B., The Herald, Fremantle, 27 August 1870, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106236281:

(Communicated)
On the 12th day of the current month of August a severe loss was experienced by the Benedictine community and Native Mission of New Norcia, Victoria Plains. The much respected above named clergyman, who, in the absence of Bishop Salvado, has been for years at the head of that institution, in the sixtieth year of his life, was called to his reward. The truth of the common saying that the death-bed of a man is the mirror which reflects the character of his life, has received a striking illustration in the subject of this necrologic notice. His illness was very long, but the cheering serenity with which he watched the slow approaches of the destroyer, and went through the usual trials of a protracted disease, pains, weariness, and unsuccessful remedies, was never seen to depart from him. One could not observe it without being reminded of the beautiful words of the late English Cardinal, who, when about to pay the debt of nature, was able to state that he felt like a schoolboy on the point of going home for his holidays.

To offer to the reader the detailed narrative of a life spent in the discharge of the duties peculiar to the monastic state, and in works of apostolic ministry, is not the object of the following lines. We only wish to scatter a few flowers over the grave of a really good man, a man of God. Father Garrido was born on the 7th March, 1810, in the village of St. Miguel de Pedroso, diocese of Burgos, Spain. The fervent piety which distinguished his early years, gained for him the blessing of a calling for religious life. Having been received into the Order of St. Benedict, he made his profession at the age of 18 years, in the Monastery of St. Martin, Santiago in Gallicia. The happiness he experienced in the seclusion of the cloister, dividing his time between prayer and study, was, after a few years, disturbed by one of those political storms, with which his country has been repeatedly visited in the course of the present century. In 1835 the religious orders being suppressed in Spain, which is one of the measures by which the demon of revolution is wont to vent its hatred of religion and order, the youthful monk saw himself again thrown amidst the dangers of the world, from which he had hoped to have escaped for ever. However, he clung, as much as circumstances allowed, to the tenor of his former life, and devoted his time to pastoral duties in behalf of the poor,—his untiring zeal and loving disposition endearing him exceedingly to his flock. He was still filling the office of Parish Priest, when the Benedictine Fathers, Serra and Salvado invited him to join them in their resolution of crossing the seas and carrying the blessings of the Gospel to the Australian aborigines. With inexpressible joy did he accept the proposal, as to work for the promotion of God's glory, and to face danger and suffering to that end, was the desire of his magnanimous heart. He landed in Swan River the 20th December, 1849. The founders of the New Norcia Mission found in him a most efficient coadjutor. They being of opinion that in order to carry out their views and give stability to their establishment, the best plan was to establish a monastic community, which would be able, at their departure from the world, to perpetuate the work they had commenced. Father Garrido entered with ardour into their views, became a pattern of religious observance to the young Spaniards, who applied for admittance into the Australian missionary monastery, and felt himself again in his own element. All the good he effected as spiritual adviser of the juvenile missionaries by the power of his burning words and by the greater one of his own example is better known to Him, for whose love alone it was done.

Trials were not wanting, however, to put to the test the solidity of his virtue. By the force of circumstances, which need not to be mentioned here, he was compelled to his inexpressible regret to retire from the field of labor he loved so much, and to bid adieu to his new home and brethren. He yielded to his fate with wonderful equanimity. Not a bitter word issued from his lips. He sailed to Ceylon. There he was qualifying himself by the knowledge of the Cingalese language, for the functions of the sacred ministry in that land, which the holiness, miracles and Christian conquests of the great Saviour have illustrated, when by the will of Providence he was restored to his beloved New Norcia Mission.

To christianize the Australian aborigines is a task beset with so many difficulties, that it is very hard not to yield at times to feelings of despondency. The good Father, however, was above that temptation. With the eye of his mind constantly fixed on the Master he served, he never allowed himself to be disheartened by any drawback, not even by the disproportion between the fruit and the labor. The reclaiming of one savage, was, in his estimation, worth an entire life of work and hardship. Never will the New Norcia Blacks, who owe so much to him, forget the kindness, the patience, the mildness of the good Father. It was while he, in imitatation of the good shepherd of the parable, was pursuing for days through our forests, a sheep which had wandered from the fold, that he got a fall from his horse, and soon after the accident began to appear the symptoms of the illness which has ultimately brought him to the grave. It was also through the anxious wish of widening the sphere of usefulness of the Mission, the management of which Dr. Salvado when proceeding to Europe in 1861, had intrusted to him, that, in the summer of 1866, with a view of looking for a suitable place for a branch mission in the interior, he organized an exploring party of Brethren and Natives, and went with them 150 miles in an easterly direction, suffering severely from heat and scarcity of water. But the nature of the country, unfrequented apparently by the Blacks, did not justify an attempt to carry into effect the plan. The inhabitants of the forests have not been the exclusive objects of his zeal. Wherever duty called or charity invited, he was ready to go, heedless of personal inclination which would have preferred solitude and obscurity. Consequently, he was the first priest who visited the Champion Bay and Greenough Flats at a time when those regions were thinly settled. In the South, where he was stationed for some months, his memory was held in veneration by all those who being committed to his pastoral care were highly edified by the holiness of his life. The transaction of business connected with New Norcia, giving him occasional opportunity of mingling with society, it is not too much to affirm that all that came into contact with him, were taken much by his singular unworldliness of mind and gentle manners; and that no one of them has heard the announcement of his death with indifference. As to his own people the grief is as deep as the love was intense, and as the loss is serious, the only solace in their bereavement is the hope that the bright example of the rarest christian virtues he has bequeathed them, will prove a stimulus to the survivors to walk perseveringly in his footsteps.—R.I.P.

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Patrick Francis Cardinal Moran, History of the Catholic Church in Australasia, 1895, p 564:

Dr. Serra, accompanied by seven priests and thirty-two aspirants to the Benedictine habit, sailed from Spain on board the Spanish frigate "Ferrolana" on the 9th of October, 1849, and arrived at Freemantle on the 29th December. He was welcomed with every possible demonstration of joy by the worthy Bishop, who, in an eloquent discourse on the following Sunday, when Episcopal High Mass was sung by the Coadjutor Bishop, did not fail to recall the landing of the great Benedictine monk, St. Augustine, on the shores of Kent with forty missionaries, and to express the hope that no less fruitful of blessings would be the arrival of the new missionary staff bearing its commission from the same Holy See and the Successor of St. Peter.

Dr. Serra, with his companions, set out for New Norcia early in January, 1850, and the arrival of so many fervent religious gave new life to the infant monastery.