Students unlock the past via time capsule
In 1873 two nuns sailed into an isolated northern port to build a school and orphanage.
Fast forward 150 years, and St Joseph’s Catholic School is still thriving despite everything around it changing.
Those two nuns were Sisters Gertrude Wright and Magdalen Foley.
The sisters constructed two school buildings and stayed teaching for five years, until disagreements with the parish priest led to the nuns leaving for Brisbane with 15 orphans.
A few months later, the Sister’s of Mercy arrived to run the school, but hardness struck again.
The fact St Joseph’s is still around today is almost a miracle.
Back then Townsville was home to just 2000 people – most of them employed
through the port.
Current school principal Timothy Ham said Sisters Gertrude and Magdalen “paved the way” for a rich educational legacy.
“Adding to the excitement today, the students had the privilege of opening a time capsule that was buried 25 years ago,” Mr Ham said.
Inside the capsule was old school uniforms, newspaper clippings, bits of student work, a nun’s habit and a commemoration book.
Present at the capsule reveal was former grade one student Alix Aurisch, who contributed to the time capsule back in 1998.
Mrs Aurisch attended the opening with her three young sons.
“Opening the time capsule after 25 years and experiencing it with my kids, who now attend the school, is truly spe
cial,” Mrs Aurisch said.
“St Joseph’s has been a part of my family’s history for generations having my grandmother, father, myself and now by three sons attend.”
The school was also gifted a unique JOEYS metal sign by SSAF Sheet Metal.
SSAF Sheet Metal is owned by the Beetham family, who also have a multi-generational connection to St Joseph’s.
Mr Ham said the sign is a symbol of the school’s history for years to come.
“To commemorate this significant milestone, the school has organised a series of events and activities that capture the essence of its 150-year history,” Mr Ham said.
That included a ‘meet and greet’ event on the school oval Friday night, a historic tour and gala dinner on Saturday and a special Sunday Mass the following day.