As students head back to school for 2025 this week, one Lismore institution begins celebrating a milestone in its history.

It has been 40 years since St Mary's College and St Joseph's College combined to form what has been known since as Trinity Catholic College Lismore.

The Presentation Sisters founded St Mary’s College for Girls in 1886, and the Marist Brothers opened St Joseph’s High School for Boys in 1911.

After some years of senior co-instruction, the two schools formally amalgamated to form Trinity Catholic College Lismore in 1985 under the leadership of Sister Mary Cannane pbvm.

In late 1984 the students and staff from both St Mary’s and St Joseph’s attended a Mass in St Carthage’s Cathedral. The two schools entered the Cathedral as separate entities under their own school banners. In a ritual handing over, the Captains of both St Mary’s and St Joseph’s handed over their banners to Fr Frank.

(The handing over of the banners in late 1984. Photo: supplied)

With the banners handed over, the students and staff left the Cathedral as one school community under the “Trinity Catholic College Lismore” banner. The motto for the newly amalgamated school, as suggested and endorsed by the students and staff at the time, was Deeds not Words. 

In the past 40 years, thousands of students have been educated in the best traditions of the Presentation Sisters and Marist Brothers. These students have now moved into the world and have made a positive contribution in a variety of different fields. 

Sr Mary Cannane pbvm served as the Foundation Principal until 1992, after which five Marist Brothers served as Principal until 2022 when Mr Jesse Smith, the first lay Principal, was appointed.

The Marist Brothers maintain a presence on staff and in the Lismore community. The Presentation Sisters of Lismore maintained a presence on staff until the end of 2018, but remain active in the Lismore community. Both Orders have a strong and ongoing relationship with the College, and the charismatic traditions of Venerable Nano Nagle and Saint Marcellin Champagnat continue to inspire current students and staff in the same way they have since 1886 and 1911, respectively.

Principle Jesse Smith said, “We have much to celebrate over the past 40 years, particularly given the tumult of the past few years. 

"Our College is much older than the anniversary we celebrate this year. We trace our heritage back to 1886 when the Presentation Sisters started St Mary’s. Next year, we will celebrate 140 years since that moment in our history. 

"This year’s celebrations will focus on the past 40 years in particular and all that was achieved and accomplished through the amalgamation of St Mary’s and St Joseph’s. 

"I know that the Class of 1985 recently gathered on the Australia Day long weekend here in Lismore, but we hope to see them back with us in the second half of the year to celebrate with as many of our alumni as possible.

"We are asking those interested in joining us to register their details via our College website. We will post updates to this group as the year progresses.

"2025 is also a Jubilee Year for the Universal Church - a year in which we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope. My hope is that we can give thanks to all who have gone before us and to celebrate the positive contributions of so many.” 

This year, Trinity Catholic College will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of its amalgamation. Alumni and former staff are encouraged to register their interest via Trinity's website - www.trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au.

Register your Interest in our 40th Anniversary Celebrations - https://trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au/form/5

Details regarding events and celebrations will be announced in due course. Trinity is planning a celebration dinner in Lismore in August 2025.

You can read more about Trinity's history by clicking https://trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au/about/our-history.