On Tuesday April 13^th, Dr Maree Ganley, historian and author, addressed several people from the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast regions, regarding a project to produce a history of the Diocese of Rockhampton that Bishop Michael hopes may be produced for our 140^th anniversary of foundation.

Dr Maree stated that the well-kept archives of the diocese are ready to provide the usual material of dates and significant events, that go into such a documented history.  What is needed now are the stories of what it has meant to be Catholic in the central and coastal regions, in the north and south of the Rockhampton diocese.  The inclusion of the record of the life and experiences of Catholics in the diocese from its beginnings in 1882 will provide an authentic, rich and varied tapestry of Catholic history.

Maree gave an example from her own family history.  Her grandparents, Therese Agnes and John James Graham were a ‘mixed religion’ marriage and this resulted result in 1907 their wedding being celebrated in the Registry Office.  John worked on the railway wharves in Rockhampton and he and Therese reared six children who were raised as Catholic. John was an active unionist and founded the Union movement on the Rockhampton wharves for which he received a citation from the Premier of Queensland, TJ Ryan.   He helped support the building of the Catholic Cathedral by giving concerts as he was a musician and had a fine voice.  John died tragically at the wharves in 1910 aged forty years. In appreciation for his work for the Church, a Catholic priest (possibly Bishop Duhig) led the funeral cortege on his horse through the main street of Rockhampton to the gate of the Protestant section of the cemetery.

As Dr Ganley spoke, I thought of the many stories that should be told, for example, from the Capricorn Coast as one region in the diocese. There were the Melbourne Cup luncheons which were the primary fundraiser at Sacred Heart parish; the amazing lengths to which the Emu Park parishioners went to build their church, Mary Immaculate; the old church at Yeppoon which was demolished by Cyclone David and the ensuing court case for its insurance to be paid. All that and so much more. The life and experiences of Catholic people along the coastal and remote regions of the Rockhampton Diocese may differ because of family heritage, location, and industry but all shared common beliefs and practices. Each story will be the precious record of our past.

Many family histories are already documented in the diocesan and parish offices across our diocese but many remain stored in the memories of Catholic family members.  What is being asked of you is to start thinking of those reminiscences and where photos and memorabilia of the faith of your parents and grandparents are stored.  Soon, a process by which these records can be gathered will be put in place.

Our faith has come down to us in story and now we have the opportunity to tell of our personal and family experiences.

Sr Kym Harris and Dr Maree Ganley

The full text of the talk Dr Ganley gave is in the attached link.