College Legends

Throughout the history of St Francis Xavier College, the name McKenna is synonymous with each stage of our development. The planning years, the early and mid-1970’s, the foundation period, the construction of facilities stage by stage, the searching for funds to pay for the quality education that was so desperately needed – throughout it all the figure of Mr Des McKenna stands tall. Des McKenna, together with his greatest supporter, his wife Carmel, were for many years, parishioners of St Michael’s, Berwick. Their eleven children attended the Parish Primary School and later, some came to the secondary College which their parents had devoted enormous energy to building. The records from our early years clearly reflect the fact that Des McKenna played a crucial role in the planning, financing and often, the actual construction of the new Catholic College.

Sr Rosaleen had been an educational stalwart in the Diocese for many years prior to coming to St Francis Xavier College. Since 1962 she had been involved in schools continuously and had resided in Pakenham since 1974. From 1974 until 1980 she had been principal of St Michael’s Primary School, Berwick and was to become the foundation Principal of Don Bosco Primary School. In 1986 she arrived at St Francis Xavier College. In her 8 years here, Sr Rosaleen held a myriad of roles – Registrar, Sick Bay Attendant and Pastoral Associate. However, she was of unequalled value and service as College Sacristan – tending to the new Chapel, preparing the Bread and Wine, flowers, music and liturgy. The sacramental life of many of our young people was greatly enhanced by the devotion and faithfulness of Sr Rosaleen. Countless students benefited from the kindness and dedication of this remarkably uncomplicated woman who simply saw a need and quietly went about remedying it.

Gallagher House was named to acknowledge the role played by Father John Gallagher in the establishment of our College in 1978. His work had begun at least four years before with the formation of steering committees and various meetings involving the parishes of Berwick, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Iona/ Maryknoll and Koo Wee Rup. Father Gallagher continued his active support of the College and spent many years on the Board of Management. In 1990 he was awarded a Papal Honour in recognition of his outstanding service to the Diocese of Sale when Fr John Gallagher became a Prelate of Honour and was given the title of Monsignor. Monsignor Gallagher was also parish priest of St Michael’s Berwick from 1972 – 1999 during a time of rapid population growth, which resulted in many major developments within the parish. Monsignor Gallagher was a Canonical Administrator of the College from its inception in 1978 until his retirement in 1999. During this time he also undertook a vital role in liturgical life of the College and as a member of the Board of Management.

Mrs Maureen McDonagh served on the College Board of Management as Secretary from 1984 until 1990. For the period 1991 to 1996 Maureen was Chairperson of the Board. One of the highlights of Maureen’s time was, in association with others, the establishment of the Cranbourne Campus of St Francis Xavier in 1987 (which was to go on to become a school in its own right in 1994 and is today known as St Peter’s College). Maureen was a member of the Interim Board of Management for St Peter’s College which subsequently led to the appointment of the inaugural principal Mr Terry Feely. Mrs McDonagh then also served on the new Board of Management for St Peter’s College in their foundation period. Maureen fondly remembers her involvement with St Francis Xavier as a family affair: her husband Joseph was actively involved in the building of the College chapel and their five children were students beginning with the second intake of students in 1979. Before her membership on the College Board, Maureen was very involved with the Parents & Friends Association which by necessity in those early days was active in performing many tasks such as building paths, shelters, establishing gardens, as well as fundraising.

In 1990 Aidan became the College’s third principal in its 12 year history. During the 10 years of Aidan’s leadership, the College began its growth impetus and subsequent on-going building programme. In 1990 the official opening of the College Chapel took place; in 1991, the VCE was introduced; our first Presentation Night was held at Robert Blackwood Hall; and there was only one Year 11 Debutante Ball! In 1994 our Cranbourne Campus which had been established in 1987, grew to become a College in its own right and opened as St Peter’s College in 1994. The College’s first large Multi-Purpose Hall was constructed and opened at Beaconsfield in 1995. In this same year, under Aidan’s direction, a major change was introduced to the structure of the College’s Student Pastoral Care Program with the introduction of the House System and its Vertical Care Group structure. This continues today to be a key element of our College community environment. Other major building works that took place under Aidan’s leadership included: a new Library Resource Centre, Drama Music Complex, Materials Technology Centre, the creation of a new staff room as well as additional classrooms at Beaconsfield. The planning of a new Junior Campus due to College’s increasing enrolments meant many long hours, which ultimately lead to the establishment of our Junior Campus in Berwick in 2003.

As Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Sale, Terry Synan was closely involved in the planning, establishment and development of St Francis Xavier College. His assistance was invaluable in the initial investigative committees which were set up in the region in the early 1970’s to work together to provide Catholic Secondary education in the eastern end of the Diocese of Sale. Mr Synan was a member of the Interim Board of Management which was set up to meet this goal. This group undertook the enormous tasks of purchasing a school site, the planning of buildings and curriculum, the appointment of the teaching staff and estimating and organising the necessary finance. Mr Synan was also President of the Victorian Catholic Schools Association before his retirement in 1996.

Mr Bob Burgess worked at the College from 1991 until his death in 1993. During his time at St Francis Xavier College, it was evident that the school had not only employed a man of many talents but a great teacher of life. Mr. Burgess had genuine respect for everyone, related well to students and staff, and actively involved himself in various College activities and excursions. In his relatively short time at the College, his impact on staff and students was profound. Bob Burgess was a very well-known local identity in the Officer area who played a leading role in the CFA and gave of his time generously to the community he lived in. This included local sports clubs, scouts, the Officer Primary School, and the Beaconsfield Fire brigade. In recognition of his immense involvement in community events, Bob Burgess was presented with many community awards.

His motto was” You will always get out of life what you put into it. “

Mr Bob Burgess did ordinary things extraordinarily well.

Mrs Gael White first became involved with St Francis Xavier College when meetings were called to investigate the establishment of a Catholic Regional College in West Gippsland. Mrs White represented the parish of Iona-Maryknoll and was an original member of the College Interim Board of Management where she held the roles of Deputy Chairperson and Secretary. Mrs White then became the Secretary of the first College Board of Management from 1980-1983. As a teacher herself, she gave the Board an important viewpoint in making decisions affecting the College. Mrs Gael White was, the motivating force behind the building of the first Beaconsfield Campus library where she had worked to establish the priority of the construction of a purpose-built Library as being central to the education of all students. Under the request of the principal Robert Schneider, Mrs White wrote to apply for Federal funding for the construction and also provided the guidelines for its design to the architect. After her retirement from the College Board in 1984, Mrs White maintained her active support as a parent over a twenty-year period in the establishment of the College and during the time her six children were students at St Francis Xavier College.