ST. MARY'S MARIST BROTHERS' COLLEGE,
ASHGROVE, BRISBANE, QLD
COMMANDEERED BY THE MILITARY DURING WW2

visits since 23 June 2002

St. Mary's Marist Brothers' College at Ashgrove in Brisbane, Queensland was commandeered by the Australian Army during WW2. The school had only been open for 2 years. The Director, Brother Ignatius O'Connor had to chose whether to close the college permanently or to evacuate the students. He chose to evacuate the students to Eagle Heights on Mount Tamborine. Eagle Heights had been recommended to him by the military authorities as a relatively safe location in the event of a Japanese invasion. 

They moved into three buildings at Eagle Heights which were adapted for school usage. Their living quarters called "Bungunyah" was about 100 yards from the classrooms. They had a 1.5 kms walk to eat their meals at Davidson's cottage. This walk became quite uncomfortable due to the regular rain while they were on the mountain. A new arrangement was organised which involved Brother Ignatius delivering the food to "Bungunyah" by car.

Another guest house called "Semloh" was used by the boys for accommodation when guests moved out. The school eventually purchased "Semloh"  to provide more space for the school's requirements.

The Australian Army returned St. Mary's to the Marist at the end of 1944 and the senior boys returned to the school at the beginning of 1945. The junior boys remained at Eagle Heights.

The Military occupation had caused some substantial damage to the main building at Ashgrove. Considerable effort was required to rectify this damage.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"And all this shall be added"
Catholic Education in Queensland - Volume VI
by Susan Mary Tobin

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

This page first produced 23 June 2002

This page last updated 23 June 2002