The Convent School
First 1896, Second 1904, Third 1962
The Barcaldine Convent opened on 3 February, 1896. A school was part of the convent with almost 100 pupils in the charge of Sisters Mary Muredach (Superior), M. Catherine and Fayne, assisted by Miss Catherin Lobie who taught music.
In 1904, the first standalone Barcaldine convent school was opened. Mr Tim Hannay designed the convent school buildings for both Alpha and Barcaldine, both of which were opened by Bishop Higgins of Rockhampton in June 1904.
The bishop spent that week in Barcaldine during which he confirmed 55 people. On the day he opened the school, an ‘attractive airy structure of cypress and hardwood’, he spoke of the need for temperance saying,
every lad who practises temperance will prosper.
Perhaps he had heard that the town was sometimes known as ‘Bar-called-in’, a not undeserved title in those days with 12 hotels in the main street.
Alterations were made to the school in July 1912 and in 1914 to accommodate increasing numbers of children.
The 1914 building was a large new classroom joined to the old one be a 10ft. verandah. It was constructed by local builders, O’Brien and Co. and supervised by Rockhampton architects, Hockings and Co. for a total cost of £1,079. When opened by Bishop Shiel of Rockhampton in August 1914 there was a considerable debt outstanding. A drive for funds at the function produced £135 towards it.
Outbreaks of diphtheria were the main health problem of the depression years, and when, in 1931, there was a major outbreak, the boarding sections of the Convent were closed for three weeks and the carriers, revealed by swabs were sent home.
New brick convent school 1962
A new St. Joseph’s Convent school was opened by Monsignor Tiernan on 21 October 1962. It was constructed of brick in two sections – for infants and seniors – joined by a verandah.
In 1996, the school enjoyed centenary celebrations and launched a book of its history in June 1996.
Members of the Catholic community were sad to see the old convent building in Yew Street demolished in 2002 but its upkeep had become uneconomical. Sister Rita says she rescued the Cross from the old building to be a feature at the Elm Street church.
On November 19, 2007 the school celebrated a refurbishment of all buildings and the acquisition of air conditioning and computers. Principal Lorraine Specogna acknowledged generous support from the government and Catholic Schools to make the work possible.
In 2008, St Joseph’s Primary School had an enrolment of 28 students.
Text sources include: Hoch, Isabel. 2008. Pages 33, 53, 63, 68, 88, 89, 95, 103, 143, 155
