The Marist Brothers have a rich and inspiring history in the Pacific. From the first Brothers who journeyed from Europe to Aotearoa-New Zealand, to those who established schools that continue to thrive in Australia, Samoa, and Fiji, their legacy is one of resilience and dedication. Even after the passing of Marcellin Champagnat in 1840, the Brothers remained committed to his vision of inclusive education, leaving a lasting impact across the region.
In this photo essay, Br Michael Flanagan, Archivist of the Star of the Sea Province, presents rare images from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through these photographs, he traces the legacy of the Marist Brothers - their efforts in founding schools, their travels across Australia, and the strong foundation they built for the Marist presence in the region.
In the second row, extreme right is EJ Dwyer who founded the famous publishing company in Sydney in 1904. He died aged 70 in 1936.
The Br Paul in the photo is Br Paul of the Cross Clarke who became a Novice under Br Ludovic (who led the first Marist Brothers to Australia) in 1873. He was appointed Provincial from 1909 -1912. He transferred the High School from St Mary’s to Darlinghurst after the troubles at the former with Cardinal Moran.
In 1917 he became a member of the first Provincial Council in Aotearoa - New Zealand and died in that country aged 80 in 1935.
Haymarket 1894
St Francis’ Haymarket 1898
The boy in the second row, sixth from left was probably disciplined for smiling at the camera!
Someone has written at the base of the photo “Don’t laugh too much”!
The Brother is Br Guibertus Browne, 1881-1968. Among the many places he taught were Kilmore and New Norcia, places that he loved. He was also appointed Novice Master in New Zealand for nine years at the age of 61. He died in Melbourne aged 87.
Juniors at Hunters Hill, 1908
Juniors Hunters Hill, 1911
Some significant Brothers pictured here as boys: Br Leo McKenna, front row extreme left; Br Conal O’Callaghan, middle row fifth from left; Br Cyprian Dowd, back row sixth from left; Br Maurus Bartlett, front row third from left.
Br Conal began teaching Primary classes in 1929 and retired from this ministry 50 years later at Lidcombe. He died in Bendigo, where he had gone to school, at the age of 86. His body, though, was transferred to Sydney and he was buried at the Field of Mars.
Senior Class at Juniorate 1913
The reverse of the photo of the Senior Class 1913.
All of these young men became Brothers but only one was to die as one. Br Loyola Hayes left the Institute in 1931 and died in 1971; Br Chrysostom left in 1918 and probably returned to New Zealand; Br Charles Meadth left in 1915 and likewise probably returned to New Zealand.
Br Ignatius O’Connor had a distinguished career as a Brother, dying as Principal of Ashgrove in 1949 aged just 53. For the last five years of his life, he was confined to bed following a heart attack.
Juniorate Mittagong, circa 1928
Some significant Brothers in this picture: Br John Roberts, executed by the Japanese in World War II, top row second from right; Br Ervan McDonough, second row second from left, captured by the Japanese in World War II, narrowly escaped execution; Br Roderick Greenlees, second row second from right, at one time Principal at Broken Hill; Br Ethelred Ferguson, top row extreme right, Novice Master to many generations of Brothers; Br Urban Bates, front row fourth from left - one of the original staff of Cairns.
It would be interesting to know who Captain Hatfield was and why he and his son are in the photo!
Words and photos courtesy of Br Michael Flanagan, Archivist, Star of the Sea Province.
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