MacKillop Catholic College is dedicated in a special way to Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop whose passionate human response to need transformed the lives she touched and built the Kingdom of God.
The College aims to create a climate where all are valued for their unique gifts, and served according to their individual needs; where inclusivity, respect, courage, integrity and compassion are accepted as the guiding principles of all relationships and undertakings. At MacKillop Catholic College education is the medium through which young people are called to discipleship.
Our Patron – St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Mary Helen MacKillop was born on the 15th January 1842 to Scottish immigrant parents in Fitzroy, Melbourne. She grew up as the eldest of eight children. Mary and her siblings had a difficult childhood, living through poverty and uncertainty. Her parents, although good people, struggled to adequately provide for the family. Her father, Alexander, had many failed business dealings, and the responsibility of making an income increasingly fell to the children, particularly Mary.
At the age of 14, Mary began providing for her family by working as a clerk at Sands and Kenny Stationers in Melbourne. When she was 18, in 1860, she moved to the small town of Penola in South Australia, where she worked as a governess for her aunty and uncle. Part of Mary’s job as governess was to educate her young cousins, a calling she became passionate about. Part of her inspiration came from her father, who despite his financial failings and lack of a formal education himself, had educated his own children and instilled in them a love of learning, possibly his greatest legacy.
Other children eventually came to sit in Mary’s lessons, especially those in need from surrounding areas. It was at about this time that she met Father Julian Woods, a priest at the local Catholic Church in Penola. Woods and MacKillop became close friends, sharing a desire to find a way to serve those in need throughout the ever-growing population of regional Australia. They established St. Joseph’s School in a disused stable in Penola.
In 1866, Woods was made secretary to the bishop of Adelaide, Dr Sheil. Before leaving Penola, he helped Mary officially establish the order of Saint Joseph, a new religious order of nuns for Australia. In 1867, Mary became the first sister, and Mother Superior, of the new order. By the end of that year, 10 other women joined. By 1871, over 120 women had become Sisters of St. Joseph. To this day, they continue to serve those in need throughout Australia, fulfilling the dream of their determined founder.
Mary MacKillop Painting by Suzie Byrne
Mary’s Parents, Flora and Alexander, and Fr Julian Woods
Find more information on Mary’s life and work on the official Mary MacKillop website.
More information on Mary MacKillop can be found here.
Map of the site with an aerial view of the College superimposed for reference.
Larger map of the area, with a map of areas of archaeological significance.
Illustration of the topography of the camp site, from the signage on the walking track.
Our Location – Steeped in History
Bordered on three sides by a conservation site, a WW2 heritage site and a sacred site of the Larrakia people, MacKillop Catholic College will always retain its bushland setting.
The College is bounded to the east by the 16 Mile Camp – a site of military and cultural significance. On the western side of the College is situated a site which is of significance to local Aboriginal people. MacKillop Catholic College is bound on its southern side by Lambrick Avenue and the College Rugby field, and on the north by Northern Territory conservation land.
The first construction stage of MacKillop Catholic College was completed in 2012. In the years since, MacKillop Catholic College has progressively established itself within its environment; creating historical, cultural, geographic, social, and economic connections. Students appreciate that they are part of a bigger story, and that they are not the first people to visit this place. Through connecting with place and people, MacKillop Catholic College students learn the meaning of courage, endurance, teamwork, leadership and respect.
16 Mile Camp
There are many lessons that can be drawn from this camp and its history. For example, the College motto ‘Lead with Courage’ echoes the sentiments of the soldiers who occupied the camp during World War II. By studying events connected to the camp, MacKillop students have a deeper understanding of what it takes to overcome adversity, the need to stick together, and the importance of making a stand for what is right, regardless of the consequences. This links beautifully with Mary MacKillop’s famous quote ,“Never see a need without doing something about it” (Mary MacKillop, 1867). We hope that this understanding and appreciation will also lead to students actively working to protect the site for future generations.
The following information is drawn from the Defence of Darwin Website and the signage around the site itself.
First occupied just prior to the Japanese raids of 19 February 1942, 16 Mile Camp was the first of the ‘mile’ camps along the old North-South Road, now replaced by the Stuart Highway. The camp was named for its distance from Darwin — 16 miles — and was developed after the bombings to help defend against an expected Japanese invasion. Used as a base for both US and Australian troops, the camp’s remains are testimony to its former role as a key fixture in Australia’s defence. Few images exist of 16 Mile Camp, however a number of images taken at other ‘mile’ camps during World War II provide insight into the lifestyle of those military personnel who lived in this camp during that time.
Timeline
1866
Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods found the Sisters of St Joseph and start their first school in Penola.
1880s
Donald McKillop, brother of Mary MacKillop (they used different spellings), joined the newly established Catholic missions in the Northern Territory along with other Jesuit priests. McKillop St in Parap is named after him, and MacKillop Court in Johnston is named after Mary. From 1887-89 he was attached to the Rapid Creek station, near Palmerston, to work and study the Mulluk Mulluk dialect. It is under the Jesuits that the Catholic Church first establishes its presence in the region.
1938
The Diocese of Darwin is established under Bishop Francis Xavier Gsell MSC.
1985
100 years on from the establishing work of Fr McKillop, Fr Gerry Remie, a priest and educator originally from Holland, moves to the NT as Parish Priest of Katherine. Fr Remie had a vision for the church in the top end, and would go on to devote his life to the realisation of many projects. Through the 80s and 90s he was the foundation priest of both St Francis Parish Humpty Doo and Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Palmerston. He fundraised and advocated for the construction of both Sacred Heart Primary School and OLHC Church in Palmerston, raised funds to build St Vincent De Paul Palmerston, and began fundraising and pushing for his vision of establishing a Catholic high school in Palmerston.
1991
Opening of Our Lady Help of Christians Church Palmerston, with Fr Gerry Remie as foundation priest.
1992
Fr Gerry Remie opens St Vincent De Paul Palmerston.
1994
Fr Gerry Remie blesses and opens Sacred Heart Primary School
1999
Fr Gerry Remie dies at the age of 72, but his work continues. By this point he had personally raised substantial funds to go towards the construction of a Catholic high school through the generosity of his supporters throughout Australia and the world.
2010
Long time Northern Territory priest Fr Tom English becomes Parish Priest of Our Lady Help of Christians Palmerston, renewing the push for the College to begin construction.
2011
With the fundraising of Fr Gerry Remie and support from Northern Territory Government, ground is finally broken at the site chosen by Fr Remie. Construction begins with A Block and B Block. The library is named “The Father Gerry Remie Centre”. Bishop Eugene Hurley officially declared that the new Catholic secondary school at Palmerston would be named MacKillop Catholic College, with the motto “Lead with Courage”.
2012
First Year of operation, with classes from Year 7 to Year 9. Mrs Lauretta Graham is the foundation Principal. Foundation of MacKillop Rugby League.
2013
First Year of MacKillop offering Year 10.
2014
First Year of MacKillop offering Year 11.
2015
First Year offering Year 12 – The first class ever to graduate from MacKillop Catholic College. D Block was constructed. First international tour to Japan.
2016
MacKillop’s first musical – “Cruisin’”. Construction of C Block.
2017
Construction of the central walkway. MacKillop Rugby League is incorporated and brands itself as the Saints for the first time.
2018
Our second musical, “42nd Street” sells out for every performance, and cements our reputation as a leading institution for the Arts. The MacKillop Saints change their focus to Rugby Union and join the local Rugby Union competition. Mother Teresa Primary School opens in Zuccoli.
2019
The MacKillop Saints expand into a sporting association, incorporating Rugby Union, Rugby League, Basketball and Hockey.
2020
COVID-19 causes turmoil the world over, with classes going online-only for several weeks in the first half of the year. MacKillop students use our science labs for production of hand sanitiser during a nationwide shortage, which was distributed to the community. MacKillop’s third musical, “Wicked”, faced uncertainty, as large scale events are banned for much of the year. It ends up being presented in December, gaining excellent reviews. After close to a decade, Dr Graham finished her tenure as foundation Principal of the College.
2021
Mr Peter Moloney takes on the position of Acting Principal for Semester 1. Construction of the MacKillop VET Training Centre is completed. Mr Lucas Hurley becomes the new permanent Principal from Term 3.
2022
MacKillop’s fourth musical, “The Lion King”, takes place in June.
2024
MacKillop’s fifth musical, “Seussical” is performed.
Fr Tom is farewelled as Parish Priest of Palmerston, moving to the Cathedral Parish, and we welcomed Fr Mick Court.
Our Crest
The crest represents the undulating land of the site, the same distinguishable and prominent geography, within its relatively flat surroundings, that made our site ideal for the defences of the 16 Mile Camp. A path leading to the cross of St. Mary MacKillop signifies the metaphor of journey – as learners and as people – and coming closer to Christ, which permeates through all we do at MacKillop. The Southern Cross reminds us of Mary MacKillop’s connection to our part of the world, and her dedication to establishing an education system for disadvantaged children in Australia and New Zealand.
Our College colours are Navy and Ochre.
Our Processional Cross
The MacKillop Catholic College Processional Cross was created by the first Year 12 cohort to graduate from our College in 2015, as a gift to pass down to future generations of College Leaders. The staff is divided into 10 sections, representing the 10 students in this original graduating class, and the crucifix is repurposed from an older item from the Palmerston Parish, linking our College to the longer tradition of our parish and our wider community.
Our College Tabards
Special College tabards were created for the first year 12 graduates. The college emblem decorates either end of the navy blue tabard and graduating students are invited to sign the back of the tabard once they have completed the graduation ceremony. It will be a proud day when there is no more room for signatures on the back of tabards.
