The Marist Centre Melbourne is about to close its doors and reopen them in the new year in a new space. I thought I would take a short trip down memory lane and reminisce about the history, the people and the life and times that were shared during our years in the office we called home.
The Centre quietly began its 15-year life at the former St Ambrose Primary School in Brunswick, Melbourne, in 2009, when the lease with the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Parish of St Ambrose was signed. It was the beginning of a new chapter for the Marist family - a place where faith, ministry, and community, Brothers and Lay, could thrive. It was part of the story of the creation of the Australian Province, with the Centre having sister administrative offices in Brisbane and Sydney.
Initial Transformation
The building’s transformation began with Br Michael Green, then National Leader of Marist Ministries and Marist Schools Australia, who oversaw the transformation of the old school into a fresh, new, modern office space. The building was reimagined to include a Chapel, presentation room, servery kitchen, large boardroom, small meeting room, a staff lunchroom, and offices partitioned into ministry areas. The white walls were adorned with paintings, icons and photography, with sculptures artfully placed in the Chapel, reception and boardroom.
The property also housed Marist Youth Care, who developed the permaculture garden across the dividing laneway, and who then became Marist180. We also sub-let to other Catholic ministries, particularly Mary Aikenhead Ministries, then later the Jesuits and the Mercies.
Location Location Location
The building was chosen for its proximity to the airport, but, lucky for us, there were dozens of hipster cafes, the Town Hall and Library next door, the pool across the road, the Church around the corner, supermarkets, post office, op shops, bookshops, vintage shops, pubs everywhere you looked, the walking path along the railway lines, trams up and down Sydney Road, eclectic locals, and on-site parking. Did I miss anything?
Ministries and Teams
From the beginning, the Centre was a home to a wide range of ministries, and thanks to the vision of Br Jeff Crowe, it also saw the ‘birth’ of the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat. Ministries represented:
Marist Association
Marist Schools Australia
Marist Youth Ministry
Marist Music
Marist Tertiary Education
At its peak, around 25 staff filled the building with energy, heart, professionalism and purpose.
Marist Association: The Pastoral Team
The Marist Association Pastoral Team began humbly in the un-renovated rooms, led by Joe McCarthy and Gail Coates. The team was established to support the Brothers and their ministries. Providing formation opportunities, they worked with ministry leaders, educators and Local Coordinators. Br Paul Kane was part of the team for period of time, with myself providing administrative and design support. Together, the team nurtured the establishment, spiritual life and the early growth of the Marist Association, working with an extended team of Staff and Brothers in the other centres.
Marist Schools Australia
Marist Schools Australia has always had a strong presence. Br Michael Green served as National Director, while Paul Herrick guided schools in the Southern Region as Regional Director. After Paul’s retirement, Julie Ryan stepped in, followed by Darren McGregor, who continues in the role today. Peter McNamara and Peter While also formed part of the extended MSA team.
Supporting the Regional Director has been a steady line of dedicated Personal Assistants: Sophie Fenaughty, Soula for a short time, and for the past eight years, Eva Brennan.
The Welcoming Face of Reception
Every community needs a welcoming presence at the front desk. In 2014, Mira Fraser filled that role, followed by me for a while, until I moved into full-time work with the Marist Association, and Grace Johnstone took over. We had Kathy Tzaferis for a short stint, but today, Kynah Tierney serves as Office Coordinator, ensuring the Centre runs smoothly and warmly.
Youth Ministry: Joy and Energy
The Marist Youth Ministry team brought vibrancy and laughter to the Centre. With a National Coordinator, Regional Coordinator, Regional Assistants, and Remar Team members (later Game Changers), they led youth programs across schools and retreat settings. It was a busy, sometimes noisy time - but always filled with joy, jokes, dedication and fun. In the very early days, Simone Boyd, Nicki Pitt, and Br Rod Thompson were the Remar National Coordinators, followed by Liz Wake and Edwin Bakker. Br Greg McDonald was Marist Youth Ministry National Coordinator, with the role taken up by Ed after that. Andrea Grant has just finished up her role at the Centre as Senior Leader Formation & Youth Ministry. Patricia Rodriguez fulfilled the duties of administration and accounts for a number of years and Scott McNulty joined the MYM leadership team for 12 months last year. Early MYM Regional Assistants were Mario Frazetto and Melissa de Sieno, followed by Mary-Anne De Luca, Mark Gilbert, Carl Muir, Connor Bradley, Gilbert Mein, Daniel Nguyen, Jack Stammers, Cassie Wilmot, Damo Ruiz, Sara Petruzzella, Lachy Scott, Ella Beveridge, Matheus Silva, Ruby Broomhall, Sabrina Batras, Grace Wake and, most recently, Amelia Vivera. And, we cannot forget all the other beautiful and talented young people over the years who took a gap year to volunteer in the MYM office to run programs and retreats, with some returning to professional roles in the team, too (I do apologise if I have forgotten anyone, please leave a comment below!): Emily Lyall-Green, Lance Newton, Jackson Perry, Maddy Whyte, Emily Duivenvoorden, Gerard Pirie, Damian Ruiz, Supi Taufaao, Cassie Wilmot, Nicola Broeren, Daniel Litjens, Georgia Martin, Jack Stammers, Cara McGlaughlin, Leila Petruzzella, Lachlan Viney, Liv Carver, Georgina Down, Ronan Long, Kyrie Rizkalla, Zack Pizzingrilli, Nicholas Pizzolato, Daniel Parkinson, Grace Wake …. we are so fortunate that such a fine succession of young Marists filled our lives with joy and their hopes for young people and the Church. They have since moved on to further studies, professional careers, and leadership roles - some within the Marist Association.
Mission and Life Formation
The Mission and Life Formation Team also had staff working out of Brunswick. Br Hubert Williams and Fiona Dyball worked to design and present formation experiences for Marist school staff, Local Coordinators and Association members. Br Mark O’Connor furnished us with added decor from his book and painting collection, and later, Andrea also worked for the MLF team.
Province Health
Bruce Houghton would occasionally pop into the office, in between taking care of the needs of Brothers in his role as Health and Aged Care Coordinator for VIC, SA, NT, WA.
Marist Music
Music has always played a big part in the life of the Centre, with Br Michael Herry taking an office to compose and record his hymns and chants, develop his Marist Music website, and sing and play in our liturgies and Masses. The lovely Ms Kath Richter also assisted Br Michael in the early years.
Marist Tertiary Education & Library
Br John McMahon fulfilled his dream of linking Marist studies with Tertiary studies, with accredited courses available for university students, teachers or other Marist professionals. He also oversaw the establishment of the Marist Tertiary Library in an unused office, where books have been catalogued and are available for loan.
Prayer and Community Traditions
Life at the Centre was never just about work. Weekly prayer in the Chapel became a cherished time, with each staff member - whether holding a Degree in Theology or not - composing and leading prayers and reflections. It is a very creative way of sharing prayer time, serving to deepen our relationships and Marist spirituality. Morning tea afterwards brought everyone together for a cuppa and the beloved weekly quiz, a tradition that sparked laughter and hilarity, and occasional teasing, strengthening bonds and relationships amongst us.
Visitors were always welcome! There were many birthday celebrations, some awards given, events held, photographs taken, meetings aplenty, seminars, programs, pizza nights for young Marists, and Association Local Gatherings. Soup was cooked and dishes were done.
Another important aspect to our life in the Centre was always the presence of Brothers. Either as resident in the building, or dropping in for meetings, celebrations, youth events or prayer. Br Doug Walsh deserves a special mention, along with Dennis Cooper, Br Tony Clark, and Brs Harry Prout, John McMahon, Peter Howes, Frank McIntosh, Julian Casey, Fons van Rooij, Mark Paul, Barry Lamb and all the Brothers from our Melbourne Communities in Coburg, Fitzroy, Heidelberg West and North Fitzroy. You are always our family, and I am so grateful that you make us part of yours.
A Family United
Through all the comings and goings, the blocked laneway, the gates not working, sirens blaring, film shoots taking over the carpark, speeding bike riders every which-way, a death-defying right hand turn into Sydney Road in peak hour, alarms going off in the night, break-ins, and any number of other experiences, the Centre has remained a place of quiet and home for family.
United in love, simplicity, and presence, staff and ministries have built a community that will continue to flourish and make an impact in the lives of young people.
“In prayer to God, St Marcellin and Mary, we give thanks every day for the blessings we have received - to this place and for the people who have brought us joy. We are blessed to say we are part of this wonderful Marist family.”
Tracey Doublet
Communications
Marist Association