Timeline

1864 - Father William McGinty arrives

Father William McGinty arrived in Port Denison around 4/02. He built a small chapel and called it St Mary's Church. Prior to arriving, he also built a St Mary's Church in Ipswich.

1872 - Convent built

1872 - 1873 - Bowen's first Catholic School

St Mary's, was founded in September 1872 by two St Joseph Sisters, Sister M. Vincent and Sr M. Joseph from Rockhampton. 

The first convent school was built in 1872 on what was then the outskirts of Bowen, now known as the corner of Powell and Sinclair Streets by Dean Murlay.

1873 - Father Tennyson Woods

Father Tennyson Woods visited Bowen and fell ill with a fever while here.

1873 - The Sisters of St Joseph

Sister M. Gertrude and Sister M. de Sales were sent from Townsville to care for Father Woods.

1874 - 1875 - Purchases

Two cottages were purchased to accommodate boarders and orphans.

1875 & 1878 - Special Visitor

Mother Mary MacKillop visited the Bowen convent.

1879 - The Sisters of St Joseph

The Sisters of St Joseph were recalled to Sydney in 1879. In 1880 a group of Diocesan Sisters were gathered together by Bishop James Quinn and given the name "Sisters of the Holy Family." These sisters were entirely under his authority and remained in Bowen until 1885.

1884 - Cyclone

The Bowen Church, Convent and School were blown down during a cyclone. The buildings were re-erected.

Port Dension times reported that two sisters sheltered in the courthouse with other townspeople. The school carried on in the Masonic Hall after the cyclone.

1885 - The Sisters of Mercy

The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Bowen in 1885. Sister Mary Modwena Taylor, Sister M. Stanislaus Kostka Harding and Sister M. Winifred Duggan came from "The Range" Convent in Rockhampton and were met by the Parish Priest, Father Weir.

1895 - Buildings

In 1895, the Parish Priest, Father Jule Bucas, purchased and re-erected the old "Immigration Depot" building for use as a school. This new school was situated on the corner of Sinclair and Powell Streets, together with most other Parish buildings. 

1905 - New Convent erected next to the school

1906 - Presbytery Built

Mr C. T. Cheffins built the presbytery out of concrete mixed by hand.

1911 - Parish Church and Convent extension

A new Parish Church was erected on the corner of Gordon and Sinclair Streets in 1911 and the "Immigration Depot" school was made into an extension of the Convent for the accommodation of boarders. The Church was made of concrete.

1912 - Church Opening

The Church was opened and blessed by Bishop Murray on Dec 2.

1916 - New Presbytery was built by T.J Heron

1918 - St Mary's Church and Parish House

1920 - St Patrick's Day

The St Mary's community participated in the St Patrick's Day parade.

1927 - New buildings

Another new convent was erected between the church and the newly erected school. The new school "St. Mary’s' ' was also cited facing Gordon Street.

The New St Mary's School was opened on 30/01/1927.

1929 - Diocese of Townsville established.

Sister Modwena and Sister Winifred returned to Rockhampton and Sister Stanislaus stayed in this Diocese.

1937 - St Barbara Infants School erected on the 14th November by Contractor Lowcock

1937 - 1940 - Training school/ Sancta Barbara opens

St Mary’s was a training school for pupil teachers up to the early 1940's and many young teachers boarded at the Convent. On 14/11/1937 the new Montessori School, "Sancta Barbara" was officially opened

1943 - Stella Maris Secondary School

Stella Maris Secondary School for Girls was set up by the Parish under the direction and leadership of Parish Priest Father Ormond Rush and given over to the expert care of the Sisters of Mercy. This Secondary School was conducted in the front room and side verandah of the existing St Mary’s School.

1952 - Convent moved

The Convent was moved to Poole Street and raised, a lower story was built underneath.

1959 - Cyclone

Reroofing of Church after cyclone with heavy gauge iron.

1960- 1970's - attire

Approved Boarding School attire. 

1960 - September 75th Anniversary of Sisters of Mercy

Bowen catholics made their chief contribution to the town centenary celebrations to celebrate 75 years of the Sisters of Mercy and recognise their contributions to our local convent.

1961 - Blessing

The border's new quarters were opened by Bishop H.E. Ryan on 24th Sep, celebrating the "Feast of Our Lady Mercy."

1971 - Stella Maris Secondary School Closes

Due to a lack of vocations and a shortage of Sisters, this school closed in 1971.

1973 - Sisters

St Mary’s School is responsible for the early training and education of twelve Religious Sisters and one Priest.

1982 - The Frog Prince or The Princess of Serene

This play was performed at McKenna Hall on 22-24 September.

1983 - School Handbook Mission Statement

"Pupils of St Mary's will cope well academically in any secondary school they find themselves in the future, and as well, be people who will bring the virtues of prayerfulness, discipline, creativity and peacefulness and unshakeable hope to the world in need of God's kingdom."

1983 - Future planning

Future planning was undertaken to consider how St Mary's would look in the future.

1983 - St Mary's Students complete First Aid course

Our students were the youngest group of local students to complete a full First Aid Examination.

1983 - The Misadventures of Mr Benjamin B.Wolfe.Esquire

Angela Brazil played Grandma and Mrs Cheryl Hammond played the organ

1985 - New school building opens/ New school year

New school on Poole Street, known also as St. Mary’s School, was opened. This school started operation on 15 July and was officially opened by His Lordship Bishop Raymond Benjamin on 21 September. 

1985 - Centenary Magazine for Sisters of Mercy organised by the Mothers Club

Mothers Club President Jenny Brazil- " The Mothers Club endeavours to provide social contact for mothers of all St Mary's School children. We also provide assistance to the Principal and his staff when possible. It is with much pleasure we present this Centenary Magazine as our contribution to the History of the Sisters of Mercy."

1985 - Centenary Magazine for Sisters of Mercy organised by the Mothers Club

Bishop's Foreword Raymond Benjamin "Townsville Diocese surely must regard St Mary's Bowen as our cradle of faith. Congratulations to the Mothers' Club of St Mary's School on their initiative in compiling and publishing this Centenary Magazine " 

1985 - Centenary Magazine for Sisters of Mercy organised by the Mothers Club

Father G. Dore  "The Sisters of Mercy celebrate one hundred years spreading the teaching of Jesus in this city and district. During my thirty years as a priest of the Diocese of Townsville, I have come to appreciate so well, I thank them on behalf of all the priests they have assisted in this city and district for one hundred years."

1995 - Mural

The Year 5 students made the stone wall outside the music room. 

1996 - Pre-school opened at St Mary's

1999 - Class of 1999 Year Book

Pastoral Leader Sister Patsy handed out badges and Mr Dash announced who received the captain positions for the year. 

2000 - School Events

Students won second place in the State Final for Tournament of the Minds. The team entered a Maths/Science challenge and had to lift a 1kg weight with shredded paper.

2002 - Stella Maris College Reunion

Past Student Margaret Picking (attended 1952-1953) shared that she has fond memories of Sister Mary Alacque teaching elocution, and Sister Mary Denise being her music teacher from her time here. 

Past Student Winifred Harriott (attended in the first year of the college in 1943 and 1944) shared that the teachers were very strict but excellent. She loved the Saint Patrick's concerts that were held at the Grand Theatre. 

Past Student Stephen Malone (attended Years 1-7) shared that he remembers school concerts being held in the shed and his favourite subjects were English and Geography. Mr Malone went on to be secretary of the P and F Association and a member of the school board. His son and grandchildren also attended St Mary's. 

Past Student Mrs Jenny Pilcher (attended Years 1-3 at Santa Barbara, Year 4 onwards across the road at the separate building and returned here as a teacher) shared that she remembers that there were no fans, air-conditioners or computers. Mrs Pilcher has fond memories of The Maypole Dance being a feature performance at our school annually.

Past Student and School Officer Maria Lloyd (attended Year 8, Sub Junior and Junior, then came back to work in Years 1 and 2) shared that students had to sit up straight on very large pink chairs with feet flat on the floor.

Past Student Annette Doyle (attended 1960-1961) shared that there was a 12 o'clock church bell and the sports comp was blue and gold.

2008 - School Events

Upgrades were given to our front entrance, Junior Playground and Undercover area.

2010 - School Events

Our current senior block had an upgrade with new cement laid.

2011 - School Events

Mother Nature certainly challenged us this year as we started off with Cyclone Yasi in January followed by flooding in March. 

2012 - School Events

Staff and students also celebrated with Sister Carmel her achievement of 60 years of service. As part of this celebration the mosaic of Sister Carmel was revealed which students helped to create.

2014 - School Events

Students participated in a whole school meditation and celebrated at Mass the special occasion of Sister Leo turning 90. Playgroup began on a Friday, as a way to network with others in our community. 

2017 - Cyclone Debbie

Due to the damage from Cyclone Debbie we had to start our school holidays early at Easter and the classrooms above our library were unable to be used. The students were able to move back into the classroom later in the year. 

2017 - School Events

Our school captains travelled to Townsville for the ordination of Bishop Tim. Prep became compulsory as of this year on. 

2017 - Upgrade

Our beloved Fire Truck was taken for a much-needed makeover. 

2018 - July Pre-Prep

We started a Pre-Prep transition program which helped to capture future Prep's in our community. It was an influential program in terms of securing enrolments for our school.

2018 - September Upgrades and Opti-MINDS

The Admin building and Prep classroom were upgraded/renovated. The convent on Poole St was demolished.

2019 - School Event

At the end of this year our school uniform bottoms changed from green and grey to black. Renovations began on our Year 1-4 classrooms as well.

2020 - School Events

Foley were victorious in winning the annual school swimming carnival, and were presented with a new trophy which was donated by the Muir Family (as it was their last year at the school.) The new logo on the school uniforms was rolled out, and we experienced our first taste of online learning as the COVID pandemic hit. 

2021 - School Events

Our Stop, Drop, Go Zone was officially opened. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) was rolled out as the behaviour framework for our school which aims to encourage students to follow the Mary's Way. A special cross was made by the Bowen Woodturners and it was blessed and revealed to our students as part of PB4L. St Catherine's Catholic College and St John Bosco Catholic School joined us for a special mass and workshop with Andrew Chinn to celebrate 200 Years of Catholic Education. 

2022 - School Events

We also celebrated a very special day as Matthew our Crossing Supervisor celebrated 30 years on the job at our school. Our students were challenged to try and bring foods that were not wrapped in plastic as part of raising awareness for sustainability,sadly we had an extended break from school due to COVID. The students and teachers were very happy for school life to return back to normal and to say goodbye to online learning. 

2023 - School Events

Our Senior playground was replaced with an upgrade. As part of our NAIDOC Day Celebrations our new Yarning Circle was blessed and declared open. We celebrated our 150th anniversary (a year too late, according to some records) and opened a new dedicated sacred space.

This timeline was created by the following students in 2023:

L to R: Mrs Land (Staff), Ella Wilson, Quade Cristaudo, Sam Murray, Samantha Pugh, Ahkeem BYers, Kye Land, Domingo Del Solar, Matilda Smith, Adison Jenkins, Sophie Boyle, Benjamin Pilcher, Bela Puri, Andrea Firth, Liberty-Grace Fellows, Blake Williams, Aislinn Ninnes, Sophia Nicholls, Keira Lane and Laharnah Nelson. Absent: Ada Beygirci