Brief historical overview The history of Catholic Schools in Australia is an epic story beginning in 1820 with the Diocese of Sandhurst making its unique contribution, from 1853, not only to local church, but to the wider Australian church. The unbroken tradition of belief in Jesus Christ is our bridge and our lifeline to the story that predates us and the story with which we are entrusted. In the words of the Pope St John Paul II in Novo Millennio Ineunte (2001):
‘… we remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm and to look forward to the future with confidence: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:8)’
We acknowledge the original custodians of the lands on which our schools and churches have been built including, the Yorta Yorta Nation, Dja Dja Wurrung/Jaara, Taungurung, Baraparapa, Bpangerang, Dhudhuroa/WayWurru and Minjambuta (https://www.kbkb.ceosand.catholic.edu.au/ ). We recognise and give thanks for their Cultural knowledge and spiritual beliefs and honour the sacred story shared by First Nations people. We give thanks for the pioneers of Catholic Education within the broader context of the Sandhurst Diocese. These pioneers include lay people, priests, bishops, and religious congregations of women and men who have responded to the pastoral and educational needs of the people. The Diocese of Sandhurst was created on 30th March 1874 under the episcopate of Bishop Martin Crane, an Irish Augustinian. In 1874, Sandhurst was made up of five parishes – Bendigo, Beechworth, Wangaratta, Heathcote and Echuca. Parish numbers continued to grow until the 1970s, with the present number being forty one. The Diocese now extends nearly 400 kms from west to east, and up to 130 kms from north to south. Two rivers form three of its boundaries - the Loddon in the west and the Murray to the north and east - while the southern limits lie on the 37th parallel of latitude. The earliest schools in the Diocese appeared around the Goldfields, with the first begun for approximately thirty pupils by Reverend Dr Backhaus in 1853 at Bendigo. The contribution and foresight of Dr Henry Backhaus is integral to the story of Sandhurst. Within six years, another seven schools were founded around Bendigo and similar schools were also established at Beechworth and Wangaratta. As the population and parish numbers increased, so did the numbers and enrolments of schools. The withdrawal of government funding from 1872 was a major challenge to this growth, overcome only by immense perseverance and commitment. During these early years, lay teachers were the backbone of Catholic schools, often working under very difficult circumstances, and it was only gradually that Religious Sisters and Brothers came into the schools of Sandhurst. Many Religious Congregations have contributed generously to the fabric of Catholic Education within the Diocese and this contribution is acknowledged and applauded.
Source of Life Core Document (2020)
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