Vale Geraldine Donaghy

This week, we have sadly become aware of the passing of Geraldine Donaghy. Geraldine was a true powerhouse of St Saviour’s College. Geraldine became involved with the College in the 90s when her three daughters attended the College. She worked diligently for the betterment of the College in both her capacity as a parent, an active member of the board and P and C and then later, once her girls finished at the College, in her capacity of Director of Boarding at McAuley House.

Across this incredible tenure, Geraldine was pivotal in the many works that took place during the years of change and development. Her boundless energy was instrumental in the fundraising projects that saw the building of the Callaghan Centre on the corner of Perth and Neil Streets and the redevelopment of Dublin Place from drab bitumen to the paved brickwork we continue to enjoy to this day. But mostly, according to the voices of so many past pupils this week, she was pivotal in the lives of of so many young women, particularly boarders far from home, who were lucky enough to know and experience her care, humour and love.

Dublin Place redevelopment.

I was privileged to speak with proud past principal of the College, Niall Coburn, this week and when I asked him about Geraldine Donaghy’s contribution, impact and legacy he was clear: Geraldine was a powerhouse.

He spoke of the contribution of both Geraldine and her ally in all things St Saviour’s College, Lyn Wilkes, in one breathe - St Saviour’s College owes a great deal to the efforts of these two incredible women.

Following from this conversation with Niall, I was also touched by the vast numbers of past boarders who celebrated the impact of Geraldine on their early formative lives at McAuley House. Reading post after post, it is clear that Geraldine’s kindness and Mercy heart was for all members of the College, but showcased most in her time running McAuley Boarding House as the first lay Director of Boarding.

Geraldine’s appointment followed the purchasing of the boarding house by the College from the Sisters of Mercy. These years of transition from sister-led convent school to lay principalship and fledgling independence required great vision and energy, but also a great affinity and alignment for the Mercy values the school was known for. Geraldine was the perfect combination of both. The purchase saw Niall, then Principal, looking to recruit a person who, in his words, ‘could fill the void’ left by the sisters and a person who would bring the same Mercy heart and high levels of care on which McAuley House prided itself. Rather than recruiting externally, Niall turned to two women who had served the College community so wholly and women who he knew to be just so invested in the ongoing success and provision of empowering education to women from across Queensland: Geraldine Donaghy and Lyn Wilkes.

Niall named Geraldine’s impact as incredible. In her tenure in the boarding house, she was a force of kindness and joy - and no fuss. Other boarders this week have named her care, her connection, her warmth, her love as the defining features of her presence.

It brings me great pride to share this story with our community. May Geraldine’s spirit inspire each of us to find ways to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others and enrich our communities by our presence.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
Through the mercy of God,  may she rest in peace.

Jessica Wade, Principal

Words from the staff and past McAuley House Boarders who loved her:

‘My heart goes out to Mrs D’s family at this very sad time. I only went to St Saviour's Boarding for one year but the impact this beautiful lady had on my life is immeasurable.'

‘Through Geraldine and Lyn we had the most wonderful boarding school imaginable because imagination drove it and enlivened it as a place where women could BE.’ 

‘You were the best supervisor at the boarding school. If we had a problem you were the first person we would go to and you always seemed to know how to fix the problem. You were always very bright and bubbly and helped make the boarding a bit easier and you will be deeply missed by all.’

‘Mrs D was so loved by all the boarders at St Saviour's. She always gave us the comfort and strength that we needed and had a fantastic sense of humour.

‘Mrs D was such an amazing lady and truly wonderful … I feel lucky to have known her, she was the positivity I needed in my darkest day.’

‘Coming from overseas as a twelve year old and new to Toowoomba, you and the wonderful ladies at McAuley boarding house created a home for us. I will never forget for my thirteenth birthday, you knew I loved Elvis Presley so we had a 50's themed birthday celebration at the boarding house.’ 

‘One of the most inspiring motherly figures in my life who guided and got me through my boarding school days and helped shaped me into the person I am today.’