Commencement of works at Sydney’s new Catholic University

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Winter 10-6-2005

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell will mark construction at Sydney’s University of Notre Dame Australia with a Mass and Foundation Ceremony on Friday 10 June.

The Ceremony, commencing with Mass at 11.45 a.m. will signal commencement of building works at Notre Dame’s St Benedict’s Campus and the re-dedication of the presbytery for use by both the University and the local Parish.

Notre Dame Australia Vice Chancellor Dr Peter Tannock says Notre Dame Sydney will make a substantial contribution to the quality and diversity of higher education in Sydney.

‘I am delighted that planning is well on track to commence courses in Arts, Business, Education, Law and Nursing at the St Benedict’s Campus in 2006.

‘The development and occupancy of St Benedict’s Campus and the Sacred Heart Campus at Darlinghurst will see the revival of two places of historic significance to the Church in Sydney,’ Dr Tannock said.

In 2004, Cardinal Pell invited Notre Dame to establish a campus in Sydney on the St Benedict’s Broadway and Sacred Heart Darlinghurst parish sites.

Notre Dame was established in Western Australia in 1989. It has campuses in Fremantle and Broome with over 5000 students.

Both the Commonwealth Government and the Archdiocese of Sydney will provide financial support for the establishment of Notre Dame Sydney. The Commonwealth Government will provide 140 commencing Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) in 2006, an additional 60 commencing CSP places in 2007 and $4M in capital contributions.

The Archdiocese of Sydney will provide $5M for the development. For its part, the University will need to borrow the additional funds for the project and these borrowings will be repaid over a 20 year period.

The University will be responsible for the restoration and maintenance of the buildings on each site, including the historic, heritage-listed churches, and for financial support of the two Parishes.

Dr Tannock says, ‘The University’s investment will ensure traditional parish facilities are maintained and improved, and buildings that have stood in a semi-derelict state for many years will be guaranteed continued support for their maintenance and for the provision of parish pastoral work under the leadership of a parish priest, appointed by Cardinal Pell.’

For media related information contact: The Media Office, University of Notre Dame, Direct line: 08 9433 0698, Mobile: 0408 959 138, Email: media@nd.edu.au

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS