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First Catholic Church
In 1845 Lay couple Mary and Michael Burk establishing the first Catholic school funded entirely by money collected from local catholic settlers. -
First Permanent Church
They had their first permanent church St Stephens. Almost 10 years on St Stephens was proclaimed the cathedral diocese. -
Bishop James Quinn
Bishop James Quinn five priests and 6 Irish sisters of Mercy made there way to Brisbane board the Yara Yara. Mother Vincent witty and the sisters of Mercy established our First Catholic secondary school. -
The all Boys School was Established
The all boys school was established staffed entirely by law teachers it was a unique model with both religious and lay student teachers receiving their training before and after school and working in classes apprentices during the day. -
Time of Growth
In the 1870s was a time of growth on the back of divide between the Irish Catholic and English protestants came a push to keep church and state separate. Laws were passed to provide free compulsory and secular education to children and to remove state funding for all religious schools. Catholic education not only survived but flourished it was around this time that St Mary of the Cross Mackillop and the sisters of St Joseph arrived in Brisbane. -
Australian Poverty
After World War 2, Australia suffered the challenges of widespread poverty and unemployment. Catholic education was effected by lack of teachers growing class sizes and economic challenges but Catholic education persevered through these hard times. Some schools wave their fees to help struggling families and surprisingly no schools were closed inspired by Mary Mackillop's message never see a need with out doing something about it. 19 new schools were opened. -
Government Funding
The federal government provided grants to Catholic schools. The appointment of Archbishop Patrick Mary O' Donnell to Brisbane saw the formation of an arch diocesan education commission which recommended the formation of a Catholic Education office. This was the beginning of Catholic Education as we know as today. Catholic Schools in Brisbane continued to struggle with increased costs as compulsory schooling to year 10 was introduced. -
Macaulay College opened it's Doors
Macaulay College would open it's doors in 1973. Over the next seven years another 12 schools emerged alongside the Queensland Catholic Education Commission. After forty years as director of Catholic Education Father Bernard O'shea was replaced by the first Layer Ector Vince or Orc. He was at the helm as the booming eighties in Brisbane brought prosperity for Catholic Education. 19 new schools were opened and many of the facilities and venues you used today were established. -
Catholic Schools Funded By Governments
Under the Howard government in the 1990's it became a ruling that not just the commonwealth will fund Catholic Schools but the Government will also be funding the Catholic Schools as a portion as well as fees paid by Parents of the Students of the schools.
