1998

Columba Catholic College, Charters Towers

1998 – PRESENT

In 1998, the three Catholic schools in Charters Towers amalgamated to form a single P-12 college, Columba Catholic College. The three schools forming Columba Catholic College were St Columba’s School, St Mary’s School and Mount Carmel College. The school currently maintains two campuses, a primary school on the site of St Mary’s Convent and a secondary school on the site of Mount Carmel College.

2001

Bishop Michael Ernest Putney

2001 – 2014

Fifth Bishop of Townsville

Michael Putney was born in Gladstone, Queensland on 20 June 1946. He was educated at St Joseph’s School, The Strand, and Our Lady’s Mount, Townsville and St Columban’s College Albion Heights, Brisbane. He studied for the priesthood at Pius XII Provincial Seminary, Banyo, Queensland and was ordained on 28 June 1969. Fr Michael served in a number of parishes in the Brisbane Archdiocese until he began teaching at Pius XII Seminary and then served as Rector of the Seminary from 1980-95. He undertook postgraduate studies at Gregorian University, Rome and the Catholic University of Leuven. He also lectured at the Australian Catholic University, University of Queensland and Gregorian University in Rome. He was a member of several Australian episcopal committees and at a global level was a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Fr Michael was consecrated a Bishop on 27 July 1995 at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane and he served as an Auxiliary Bishop in the Brisbane Archdiocese until he was inducted as the Fifth Bishop of Townsville on 27 March 2001 at Holy Trinity Church, Mundingburra. One of the many things he developed in the Townsville Diocese was the Graduate Diploma of Religious Education, at James Cook University. In addition to his focus on adult education, Bishop Michael Putney was deeply committed to Catholic Education visiting every school in the Diocese at least once each year. He passed away in Townsville on 28 March 2014.

Dr Cathy Day AO

2006 – 2018

Executive Director

Cathy Day was born in Muswellbrook, New South Wales and attended schools all over Australia and Papua New Guinea until she entered high school at Scone in New South Wales.

Cathy graduated from the Townsville College of Advanced Education in 1975 and taught for 24 years in Catholic schools in the Diocese including St Joseph’s School, Mount Isa, and as Principal at Holy Spirit School, Cranbrook and Ryan Catholic College, Kirwan. Cathy holds a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Educational Administration and a PhD in Educational Administration from James Cook University. She also holds a Graduate Diploma of Arts (Christian Leadership). Dr Day joined the Townsville Catholic Education Office as Assistant Director of School Services in 2000 and became Director in 2006 and then Executive Director. Under Dr Day’s Directorship the Catholic Education Office developed a world first Christian Meditation program for all schools in the Diocese. In 2002 Dr Day was awarded the Townsville Corporate Business Woman of the Year and in 2003 received a Churchill Scholarship to study initiatives in rural/ remote and Aboriginal Education in Canada. During her time as Director and Executive Director, Dr Day served on the Bishop’s Advisory Council, the Queensland Catholic Education Commission and the Diocesan Finance Council. In retirement she continues to be involved in Christian Meditation internationally and is also a Director on the Edmund Rice Education Australia National Board.