Mary arrived in NSW with her step-mother Mary Collicott (nee Allen) on the "Mary Anne" on 19 Jan 1816, with her brother, sister and step brothers & sisters.

The "Sydney Gazette" of 13 Apr 1816 carried an advertisement :-

"ACADEMY. Miss Collicott, and Miss Allen, beg leave to inform the Ladies of the Colony, that they intend opening on Monday the 22d-inst. at 19 Pitt Street, a SEMINARY for Young Ladies; where those who may be pleased to entrust their Children to their Care, may depend upon every exertion in their power being used to instruct them in the following Branches of Education; English, French, Geography, Writing and Accompts, and Needle work."