USQ buys residential college from Catholic Church

University of Southern Queensland has expanded its property portfolio, purchasing a residential college it manages from the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba.

Concannon College has played an important student accommodation role at the university since its construcversity tion in 1985 - an initiative of Bishop Edward Kelly, the Catholic bishop at the time.

One of three residential colleges at USQ, Concannon College offers accommodation facilities to 40 students, with room for up to 100. Situated on Baker St adjoining the USQ Toowoomba campus, the uniTHE currently manages the College.

USQ executive director for campus services Dr Dave Povey said after a 33-year partnership the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba and the university had agreed to transfer ownership to the University.

He said Concannon College would continue to function as usual into 2019.

“It’s an exciting time for our Toowoomba campus, with a lot happening here at the moment,” Dr Povey said.

“USQ recognises and greatly appreciates the collaborative relationship it has, and will continue to have, with the Toowoomba Catholic Diocese.”

Concannon College was named after Monsignor Edward Concannon, a priest known for his devotion to youth and education in the Toowoomba region.

Toowoomba Bishop Robert McGuckin said the Catholic Diocese fully supported the university in its move to expand.

“The sale of Concannon College is indeed an exciting moment in the relationship between the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba and USQ,” Bishop McGuckin said. “The diocese will continue to be a part of student life at USQ.”