History of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Townsville
“ I have come so that you may have life and have it to the full ”
John 10:10
The proud reputation Catholic schools enjoy today is based on the strong tradition built by the religious orders who founded Catholic Education in the Townsville Diocese in 1872.
However the story of Catholic Education in Queensland dates back to 1845, when lay teachers Michael and Mary Bourke, under the guidance of the first priest posted to the free settlement of Moreton Bay, Fr James Hanly, began teaching in a slab building on the corner of Elizabeth and Albert Streets in Brisbane – near where the Myer Centre stands today. This school had an enrolment of 56 students.
During the 1870’s, education acts passed in the various colonies meant that education in Australia became compulsory, secular and free in state schools. All government financial assistance to Catholic schools was withdrawn.
In the late 1800’s, Catholic schools were only able to operate due to the contributions of members of religious orders and from donations received from the Catholic community.
Over the next 100 years, various priests and religious orders, with the support of the Catholic community, established schools to serve communities across the state.
The men and women from these religious orders played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the significant contribution made by Catholic schools to the education of young Queenslanders.
From that humble beginning, Catholic education expanded to most cities and many townships throughout the state.
Since the 1960’s, government funding has once more been provided to Catholic schools. Our schools today are staffed almost completely by lay teachers committed to the goals of Catholic education.
The first Catholic school in the Townsville Diocese was St Mary’s in Bowen, which opened in 1972, closely followed by St Joseph’s School North Ward, in 1873. The Diocese of Townsville was established in 1930.
Today more than 116,000 students attend 283 Catholic schools throughout Queensland, comprising about 17% of all Queensland students and almost 60% of students educated in non-government schools.
How does the Catholic Education system operate?
The Catholic Church has been educating children for Centuries, as part of its ongoing commitment to providing a Catholic education to all, regardless of location, family background or financial ability.
These schools are governed by the Townsville Catholic Education Office and/or Religious Institutes, and supported by the Diocesan Education Council. The Director of the Townsville Catholic Education Office reports to the Bishop of the Townsville Diocese who is also the Chair of the Diocesan Education Council.
The Townsville Catholic Education Office is supported by the Queensland Catholic Education Commission. Catholic schools are accountable to their communities and State and Federal governments. Catholic schools are often the centre of a Parish and play a vital role in the wider communities in which they exist.
History of the Townsville Diocese
John P. Maguire has written a history of the Diocese of Townsville called PROLOGUE: A History of the Catholic Church as seen from Townsville 1863-1983.
A selection of passages and photographs from the early years of the Catholic Church in North Queensland appear in the Catholic Diocese of Townsville web site, www.tsv.catholic.org.au (select About the Diocese)
PROLOGUE: A History of the Catholic Church as seen from Townsville 1863-1983
John P. Maguire
A Church Archivists' Society Publication
Toowoomba, 1990
ISBN 0 949122 18 1
