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First Catholic School Funded with Local Money.
Mary and Michael Berg founded the first Catholic School funded entirely with Money from the Local Settlers. The school is located in Brisbane not far from where the Cathedral stands today. -
The first Permanent Church
In 1850 the first permanant Catholic church was Built. This was St Stephen's chapel. The Chapel of St Stephen's, was a church located in the old Palace of Westminster which served as the chamber of the House of Commons of England and that of Great Britain. -
The Cathedral of the Diocese.
In 1860 St Stephen's was proclaimed the Cathedral of the Diocese. After formally separating from NSW to be known as the Colony of Queensland. -
James Quinn Sailed to Brisbane
In 1861 Bishop James Quinn, 5 priests and 6 Irish Sisters of Mercy made their way to Brisbane aboard the Yarry Yarra. When Mr Quinn arrived in Brisbane he was surprised and shocked by the poverty of the large Irish Population and committed to raising the economic status by education purposes. -
St James school
St James school for Boys was established. Started entirely by lay teachers. All teachers would receive their training before and after school and would work as a teachers apprentice during the day. It would be almost a 100 years before a dedicated teachers college was started. McAuley College at the all Hallows campas. -
Laws
Laws were passed to provide free compulsory and secular education to all children and to remove state funding for all religious schools. By the end of the decade there were 35 more catholic schools established and funded by their communities. -
Mary Mackillop
It was around this time that Mary Mackillop and the sisters of St Josephs started teaching. There were many changes, the newly formed federation of the Australian states, the new Archdiocese of Brisbane, new arch Bishop Robert Dun and technical and social advancements like electricity and women who are now allowed to vote. -
The Divide
World war 1 made a big problem for catholic education. The divide of Protestants and Catholics, gained momentum during the conscription debate. Catholic schools continued to self fund and it would be another half century before they could access and government. -
James Chui
After Arch-bishop Dun's deathin 1919, James Chui a visionary with an entrepreneurial spirit could see the growing need for Catholic schooling. So he stepped in and invested in large tracts of land around Brisbane and by 1930 had established 28 new catholic schools. -
Diocesan Director
Bernard O'Shea was chosen as diocesan inspector. In 1948 the role was renamed to become Diocesan Director of Catholic education. He lead us through the changes of Catholic education in Brisbane. Catholic education continued to struggle with its demands and requests. The numbers within religious orders began to drop and so a growth of hiring lay staff began. Despite cut backs and continued funding by societies and parishes, 26 new schools were opened in the 15 years to 1960. -
Wide spread Poverty
The period between the Great Depression and the end of World War 2 saw Australia suffer the challenges of poverty and unemployment. Catholic Education faced lack of teachers, class sizes growing and economic challenges. Some schools put aside their fees to help poor and struggling families, surprisingly no schools were closed. Also closely inspired by Mary Mackillop's message, NEVER SEE A NEED WITHOUT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Despite the depressing outlook 19 new catholic schools were opened. -
3 Extra Toilets
Government health wanted 3 extra toilets to be installed at the Lady of Mercy prep school. Goulburn’s bishop called a meeting with catholic parents, who voted a strike. Ending in 1000 students descending on the local state school for enrolment. Political parties began to reconsider state aid to non-state schools and within 12 months the federal government provided grants to catholic schools. This was the first time in almost 100 years that catholic schools had received government funding. -
Significant Growth
From 2007 and on Catholic schools have continued with significant growth from the Rudd Government's 2007 promise of one-to-one technology and the 2008 economic stimulus, building education revolution. A number of ecumenical schools have been established during this time.
