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Cathedral Tours

ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHEDRAL PRECINCT PROJECT Bulletin, Volume 9

FUNDRAISING

THERMOMETER

The community has raised

$2.4 M to date!

For more information visit:

www.sfxcathedralproject.com.au

$ 3 000 000

2.9

2.7

2.5

2.3

2.1

$2 000 000

1.9

1.7

1.5

1.3

1.1

$1 000 000

0.9

0.7

$500 000

Regular organised tours of the Cathedral began

in the mid 1990’s under the leadership of the

late Mrs. Kathleen Brosnan. Kath had arrived in

town from Albany, and was deeply impressed by

the beautiful building and also the story behind

its architect John Cyril Hawes. She obviously

had the foresight to understand that visitors to

Geraldton would be as impressed as she was,

and with the support of Fr Michael Morrissey,

and the assistance of Sr Leonie Mayne, Cathe-

dral Tours began. Prior to this interested parish-

ioners had shown visitors and locals through. For the first few years, conducted tours were

held twice weekly and were without charge.

Guides were recruited and trained with infor-

mation gleaned from various sources, one of

those being Sr Paschal, who had a wealth of

knowledge of the Cathedral and John Hawes. Tour guides at that time were Frank McGuire,

Paddy McGree, Anka Kovacich, Doreen Daw-

son, Peter Dew and John Brain. These were

later joined by Pat Mills, Fr Gerard Totanes,

Maureen Bone, John Hardiman, Peg Faithfull,

Dympna Kipps, Ida Cream, Judy Millward, Mar-

garet Carruthers, Pat Miragliotta, Jean Culloton,

Veronica King, Jenny McKay, Alan Thompson,

Mike Flanagan, and Anne McGuire. Today with an ever increasing number of tour-

ists visiting, in cruise ships, caravans, bus tours

and many and varied groups, the tour guides

are kept extremely busy, and still conduct three

regular tours weekly.

During the late 90’s, it was decided to charge

for the guided tours. This was initially $2, and

then increased to $5. From these contributions,

a considerable amount has been raised for the

preservation of the

cathedral. Today Pat Mills leads the group of 10 guides

whose passion and deep love of the Cathedral

and their interest and fascination with the life

and work of John Hawes keeps them busy

sharing this history with the public.

One of the first major donations to the CPP was from the Tour Guides. From left, Dympna Kipps, Margaret Carruthers, Pat Mills, Peg Faithfull, Ida Cream, Judy Millward, Jean Culloton & Maureen Bone.

What has been completed on the building? The concrete slab and

structural steel has now been

completed and the brickwork is

being laid and internal walls

constructed.

What is left to do? Earthworks for the landscaping

will commence shortly so the

concrete paths and paving will

be completed.

What is the completion date? Early March 2016

PROGRESS ON THE

MONSIGNOR HAWES

HERITAGE CENTRE

Kathleen Brosnan, R.I.P.

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John Rigter was born in Holland and mi-

grated to Australia with his family when

he was about eight years old. John grew

up in the area of Millicent near Mt Gam-

bier. John joined the air force after leav-

ing school. Beryl Nash grew up in

Geraldton and moved to Perth after leav-

ing school.

John and Beryl met at a dance at the

Canterbury Court Ballroom in Perth while

John was on leave from the air force.

John and Beryl got to know each other

during this time and before John left for

his post in Darwin the couple became

engaged. John went to Darwin and Beryl

remained in Perth. During that year, most

of their contact was through letters or

when Beryl would walk to a public phone

box on a Saturday night and John would

call from Darwin. The following Christ-

mas, approximately a year after they met,

John and Beryl were married at St Francis

Xavier Cathedral in Geraldton. Following

the wedding, John and Beryl moved to

Darwin so John could continue his career

in the air force. They spent a year in Dar-

win as a married couple and then re-

turned to Geraldton where they have

gone on to have a family and develop

Rigter’s IGA Supermarkets.

John and Beryl have four children, Shane,

Leonie, Kyme and Kieran, and four grand-

children, Jedd, Kennah, Faith and Keisha.

Their son Kyme now manages the super-

markets so John and Beryl are able to

devote some time to travelling and other

interests.

One of their passions is a Caritas Project

in Cambodia that they have supported.

The project runs for three years and as-

sists people in a local village develop

skills and enterprises to become finan-

cially secure. John and Beryl have visited

the village each year and are pleased to

see how the project is changing lives.

John and Beryl are major sponsors of the

St Francis Cathedral Project and we thank

them for their contribution.

Much of the fundraising thrust for the SFX

Cathedral Precinct Project comes from

people who live or once lived in and

around Mullewa. Maybe it is the Mons.

Hawes influence with a couple of the main

contributors having been baptised by him,

or maybe it is just that friends encourage

friends. The SFX Management Committee

includes former residents Gerry Eastman,

Pat Mills, Barbara Thomas and Tony

Critch. Gerry grew up and attended

school at Mullewa and Barbara and Tony

are both farmers in Mullewa. Pat Mills, a

former Mullewa resident, whose family

were closely associated with Monsignor

Hawes from Mullewa and Kojarena days,

leads the Tour Guides. This group has

contributed greatly to the fundraising for

the Project and includes several Mullewa

ladies. Assisting them on ‘Cruise Ship’

days is Lois Dwyer who runs the Mer-

chandise stall. The Campaign Fundraising

Committee also includes Lyn Freeman,

another Mullewa ex-resident. People passing by the cake stalls that are

held regularly at Rigter’s IGA in Durlacher

Street could be excused for thinking they

are in Mullewa. There are former Mullewa

identities aplenty coming and going,

either dropping off, buying, or selling the

produce. The ladies photographed above

are regulars on the stall along with anoth-

er former resident Cecilia Barrett. Mullewa farmers have also led the charge

in donating grain to the Project and cash

donations from many Mullewa and former

Mullewa residents have also been grate-

fully received, with several Mullewa names

appearing on the Major Donors list. Each

year a fundraising Heritage Tour visits

Mullewa, and Our Lady of Mt Carmel Par-

ish provides lunch and refreshments and

a warm welcome at no cost to the Project.

Thank You Mullewa-ites for your wonder-

ful support!

Race Day A Huge Success Race Day Racing fans and supporters of the SFX Cathedral Project were

treated to a wonderful afternoon of racing, fashions, entertainment and

food with over $6,500 raised to support the work being carried out at

the Cathedral. Rachel Gardiner organised the event supported by Alisha

Wyatt who coordinated the entertainment and Jadine Priolo who pre-

pared the dancers. Bishop Justin was on hand to present the prizes for

Fashions on the Field and the Yalgoo Cup won by Monsignor Hawes in

1926 was on display. The organisers were very grateful to all the busi-

nesses and individuals who supported the day.

Major Donors John & Beryl Rigter

What’s in the (Holy) Water at Mullewa?

Turf Club Chairman Brian O’Dwyer, Rachel Gardiner representing Race Sponsors Ron and Imelda O’Malley, Winning Trainer Michelle Val-lentine, co -sponsor Gerald Ryan and Bishop Justin Bianchini.

Part of the amazing $2.4m total raised by the Ca-

thedral Precinct Project Fundraisers to date has

been donated by farmers in the Geraldton Dio-

cese, either through grain or cash donations.

As the Project progresses, the Farmers’ repre-

sentative on the Management Committee Mr Tony

Critch has expressed his renewed wish that all

grain producers who are interested in being part

of this historic project take the opportunity to do-

nate. He said that future generations will recog-

nise that the generous spirit of the farming com-

munity was still as strong for this cause as it was

100 years ago when Monsignor Hawes was initially

building the Cathedral and other churches. He

commented that the donation of grain is a simple

and tax effective means of contributing to such a

worthwhile cause.

Inspecting a local wheat crop: Kevin Mazzuchelli, Jerry Clune,

Bishop Justin Bianchiini and Tony Critch

GRAIN DONATIONS

The 2015 Car Raffle was a

resounding success with

over 90% of the tickets being

sold. Bishop Justin’s broth-

er, Ben Bianchini sold the

winning ticket to the lucky Mr

Phil Martinz (pictured with Bish-

op Justin & Ben Bianchini) . Mr

Martinz, a hairdresser from

Como, has supported the

Car Raffle every year and

was thrilled with his win.

The raffle could not be such

a success without the assis-

tance of people like Ben

Bianchini who sold 139 tick-

ets before running out of

books and encouraging peo-

ple to purchase online. Ben

was very proactive about

calling Parishes throughout

Perth and getting them to

advertise the Car Raffle in

their weekly notices. When-

ever Ben received phone

calls from individuals wishing

to buy a ticket he would al-

ways ask them if they knew

of anyone else who might be

interested in a ticket. Earlier

this year Ben and his wife

Mary also organised a very

successful High Tea which

raised over $10,000 dollars

for the SFX Project. Some

might say that Ben has

missed his calling as a

salesperson/entrepreneur. We thank all of those that

sold and bought tickets and

our major sponsor Geraldton

Toyota for supplying the

major prize.

Car Raffle Winner

The Cocktail Party held on the 17th of October 2015was

a roaring success. Guests were entertained by All Things Dance,

Saj Ittikuru, and the Clergy Choir (consisting of Bishop Justin, Fr

Gerard and Sr Lyn). The organisers, Sharon McDonald and Kym

Morphew, supported by a team of willing helpers, pulled the classy

night together, raising more than $4,500. A highlight of the evening

was the drawing of the Car Raffle won by Phil Martinz.

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Bishop Justin and the Committee would like to thank all who have contributed to the Campaign

to date. ALL donors will be acknowledged on a Digital Register

and will become part of the history of the SFX Cathedral.

Thanks to our Major Donors listed below as well as those who wish to remain anonymous

for donating or pledging $10,000 or over. These contributions will be acknowledged on a

Wall of Remembrance within the immediate vicinity of the Cathedral.

FAMILIES BUSINESSES

Pallottine Community

Society of the Catholic

Apostolate

Sisters of Nazareth

Presentation Sisters

Salvatorians

CONGREGATION OF

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

Saint John of God

Sisters

INSTITUTIONS

We also acknowledge the contribution of the following

whose donations of funds, time and/or expertise have far exceeded $10,000:

The Cathedral Tour Guides

Seminarian Savio Tuan (Life of St Francis of Assisi Wood Carvings)

Fr Robert Cross and Monica Podesta (Data Base for Hawes Collection)

Schools of the Diocese

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR FAMILY NAME TO BECOME PART OF THE HISTORY OF SFX CATHEDRAL Contact the Campaign Coordinator Gerry Eastman 0417 912 997 info@sfxcathedralproject.com.au

or go to the website www.sfxcathedralproject.com.au

Dominican Sisters of WA

A & A Armanasco

The Aldous and Stinson Families

Family of Catherine and Victor Basile

Ben & Mary Bianchini

The Bianchini Family

Shirley and Bernard Brown

David and Elissa Brown

Peter and Kay Brown

Greg and Jess Brown

The Clarke Family -

“In Memory of Gwen Clarke”

Mr and Mrs R Davis

Dr Rashmi Devassey & Matthew (Son)

Nigel and Chris Dobson

M & C Doherty

The Eastman Family

The Emmott Family

Mike and Tim Freeman

Mary D Haydock

The Horan Family

The Hovell Family

The Kalajzich Family

Monsignor Michael Keating

Bernie and Kath Keogh

The Krummenacher Family

Ascuncion and Des Lally

Peggy and Bert Lenane

Aldo and Maria Masiello

The Charlie Messina Families

The McDowell Family

Hazel and Gordon McLoughlin

Drs. G & D Menezes

“In Memory of Vince and Pat O’Dea”

John, Lyn, Michael & Stephanie Mueller

Ron and Imelda O’Malley & Family

Italo and Mary Pirone & Family

Craig & Fleur Poletti & Family

John and Val Rowe and Family

Anthony & Geraldine Thomas

Brian & Marion Thomas & Family

The Thuijs Family

Brian and Joy Thurkle

Rev. Fr. Noel Tobin

The Voigt Family