Pam Betts, Executive Director Brisbane Catholic Education turns the sod of the new McAuley College Beaudesert, watched on by Mrs Deidre Young, Foundation Principal, Archbishop Coleridge and Fr Michael McKeaton

On Friday 22 April, the sod was turned for McAuley College, Beaudesert, the newest Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane blessed the new site assisted by Father Michael McKeaton, Parish Priest of St Mary’s Parish. Foundation Principal of McAuley College is Mrs Deidre Young, formerly Principal of St Marys College, Ipswich. Pam Betts, Executive Director of Brisbane Catholic Education acknowledged the presence of the Sisters of Mercy saying  “Just a few years ago All Hallows' and then St Mary’s College Ipswich celebrated 150 years and today our newest secondary college carries the name of their founder.“ She added that many years ago the Beaudesert community saw a need and never gave up on their dream for a Catholic secondary college for this community. “It was the steering committee in consultation with the primary school and the parish who decided that this College would continue another inspiring story, that of the Sisters of Mercy. The Mercy charism is very evident at St Mary’s and the Sisters of Mercy have been a presence here in Beaudesert for more than a century. In naming the college after Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, their presence will continue to inspire and guide. We are very grateful to the Sisters for their ongoing interest in this new venture and for their willingness to be involved in whatever way they can.”

Srs Rosaleen Carroll, Bernadette Ahearn and Mary Lawson at the blessing of the McAuley College Beaudesert site