Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Enriching spirits ~ Educating Minds
School History
1942 - All boarders were evacuated to Longreach and Emerald for safety during World War II
Celebration Plaque
Sr Andrea
Sr. Andrea recalls her excitement when in Year 2 she moved to Yeppoon from Clermont and began at her new school, St Joseph’s. The youngest of four sisters, she remembers fondly the Irish Presentation Sisters.
She had never seen the ocean before and loved to gaze at the glistening blue waters, beautiful beaches and the Keppel Islands in the distance.
Sadly, Sr Andrea’s father died when she was just 11 years old. She missed his wonderful stories and the songs he loved to sing with her.
Sr Andrea left school in her junior year and went to work in Rockhampton, but she had such lovely memories of the Sisters that she wanted to serve God just like them. She joined the Presentation Sisters and returned to her beloved school as a teacher in 1958.
She spent many years in the school, as both a teacher and superior, until she retired in 2006.
Even in her retirement, Sr Andrea has continued to keep Nano’s flame of love burning. She gave many hours as a school chaplain at Sacred Heart School between 2008 and 2010, before moving to Brisbane where she visits those who are sick. Sr Andrea continues her love of sewing and cooking.
About the Era
Yeppoon became more prosperous in this era and the Tropical Fruit Industry was established in 1940. In 1945 the Great Keppel Island Tourist Company was formed.
Yeppoon was not immune to the dreaded polio that indiscriminately afflicted the young and old. Sr Andrea remembers one of the students contracting polio, a debilitating disease that could cause paralysis and permanent disability. A vaccine was not found until 1955.
St Brendan’s College was established in Yeppoon by the Christian Brothers and was opened in February 1940. The school was both a boarding school and day school for boys, and continues to provide a quality Catholic education to this day.
After the outbreak of World War 2 many boarders from both St Ursula’s and St Brendan’s colleges were evacuated to the west for safety.
This was a great time of uncertainty for all Australian’s as war took its toll on families and their livelihood. Students from St Joseph’s, St Ursula’s and St Brendan’s prayed earnestly for peace in the world.
Pineapple Industry
Yeppoon History
1940 - St Brendan's College was opened
Bishops of Rockhampton Diocese
1932 – 1945 Romauld Hayes
1946 – 1960 Andrew Tynan
Priests of Sacred Heart Parish Yeppoon
1936 – 1940 Fr Robert Gibbs
1940 – 1941 Fr Thomas Higgins
1941 – 1946 Fr Daniel Lee
1942 – 1945 Fr John Nugent
1946 – 1948 Fr Frank Arthurs