On Saturday 30 September it was 100 years since St Leo's College was officially dedicated. To celebrate the anniversary a photo taken 100 years earlier was recreated.
Back in 1917 there were only a handful of Residents and one member of staff who worked at the College. Some special guests attended the event to officially dedicate the new College.
The Residents who were here in 1917 were: AM Ping, VD McCarthy, WW O’Sullivan, BA Herzig, WF Watson, TD Sullivan, J O’Keefe, FL Breslin, EJ Burton, R Graff and JH Baxter. They were joined in the photo by Rev Fr Michael McKenna, the first Rector as well as His Grace, Archbishop Kelly – the Archbishop of Sydney; His Grace Archbishop James Duhig DD, Archbishop of Brisbane as well as Rev Fr M Lane, Administrator of the Cathedral and Rev Fr PJ Murphy, Secretary to Archbishop Kelly. So as a result, a lot has changed over the last 100 years!
The original photo shows the special guests and Residents gathered on the steps of the College on September 30, 1917. The photo below shows Chair of the St Leo's College Council Daryl Hanly, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana and Head of College Steve Foley. They are holding the original.
Fast forward to today and the College has over 200 Residents plus many more staff.
A group of Residents and invited guests gathered for the anniversary photo including: Papal nuncio Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, members of St Leo’s College Council including Chair Daryl Hanly, Head of College, Steve Foley and Professor Aidan Byrne, University of Queensland Provost. Leonian Francis Breslin was able to attend, who is a direct descendant of FL Breslin, here in 1917.
A College fanfare has been commissioned and some of our Residents played it at the event. First year Resident Liam Mallinson composed ‘Stand in the Light’ and it was played by Residents Pierce Leahy and Tyler Kiernan. A time capsule will be sealed shortly which includes copies of the original music composition.
To mark the celebration a papal blessing is now hanging in the College foyer.
[bs_icon name="glyphicon glyphicon-film"]You can watch highlights from the day.
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Stay safe, enjoy the break and we look forward to welcoming our new residents next year!
