Br Barry Lamb's portrait celebrates Patrician Brother Aengus Kavanagh's contribution to Catholic education, unveiled at Mt Druitt centre

A portrait and commemorative citation honouring Patrician Brother Aengus Kavanagh were unveiled on Monday, 26 October, at the Aengus Education and Equity Centre in Mt Druitt, home to the Marist Learning Zone.

Br Aengus and Br Barry with the sketch

The ceremony recognised Br Aengus’ significant contribution to Catholic education in Western Sydney and brought together representatives from Catholic Education Parramatta, Centre staff, friends of Br Aengus and several Marist Brothers.

The occasion was attended by Star of the Sea Provincial Br Darren Burge, Br Lawrie, Executive Director of Province Ministries Mark Pauschmann, Marist Schools Australia National Director John Kyle-Robinson, and Marist Schools Australia Regional Director Matthew Hutchison (NSW/ACT).

The initiative was led by Br Barry Lamb, who noticed that the Centre had no information explaining who Br Aengus was or why it carried his name. He proposed displaying a portrait alongside a short citation to ensure his contribution would be recognised by future generations. Br Barry personally sketched the pencil portrait, which was approved by Br Aengus.

During the ceremony, Jack de Groot from Catholic Education Parramatta reflected on the many roles Br Aengus had undertaken and the initiatives he had led throughout his years of service in the Archdiocese.

Br Barry spoke about the inspiration behind the portrait project and his hope that future generations would continue to recognise Br Aengus’ foundational contribution to Catholic education in Western Sydney.

Br Aengus also shared memories of the various locations and developments of the Parramatta Catholic Education Office, tracing the journey that eventually led to the establishment of the Centre at Mt Druitt and its broader educational mission.

The unveiling was a fitting tribute to Br Aengus’ vision, dedication and initiative, which helped lay the foundations for the Catholic education network serving Western Sydney today.