On Wednesday 27 May, the All Hallows’ community gathered in gratitude and hope to celebrate the official opening and blessing of the All Hallows’ Heritage Centre, a space where past, present and future meet in a living expression of the Mercy charism.
The Blessing
Representatives of the Brisbane Sisters of Mercy, school leadership, past principals, students, staff and community members came together for a liturgy of thanksgiving and celebration. The prayers offered honoured 165 years of Mercy presence in Brisbane, recognising the profound impact of the Sisters of Mercy on education, healthcare and social services across Queensland and beyond.
L-R: Professor Lee Anne Perry, Sister Anne Hetherington rsm and Catherine O’Kane.
The Purpose of the Heritage Centre
At the heart of the Heritage Centre is a clear and compelling purpose: to preserve, interpret and animate the rich story of All Hallows’ School within the wider Mercy tradition. It is not simply a museum of the past, but a dynamic educational and formation space, designed to inspire students, staff and visitors to engage deeply with the legacy they inherit. The Centre ensures that the stories of the Brisbane Sisters of Mercy remain accessible, relevant and transformative for contemporary audiences.
Housed within the historic Adderton Building, the Heritage Centre carries forward a legacy that began when the Sisters opened All Hallows’ School as Queensland’s first secondary school for girls in 1861. The building itself stands as a powerful symbol of continuity where generations have lived, learned and served, and where the Mercy story has taken root and flourished.
Exploring the Heritage Centre
The Heritage Centre features five distinct spaces, each designed to immerse visitors in the unfolding story of Mercy.
- A room highlighting the impact of the Sisters of Mercy across Queensland
- A room showcasing archival material from the school’s 165-year history
- A dedicated reading room
- A photographic display honouring past pupils
- An audio-visual room
Mapping the History of the All Hallows’ School Campus
Visitors can engage with archival footage and an innovative interactive display that maps the history of the school’s buildings. This digital experience, designed in collaboration with Littlebot Studio, invites visitors to explore the campus through a projected map, where selecting a building reveals its story through narration, animation and archival imagery. The character of ‘Annie’ is named after the school’s first student, Annie Tighe, and voiced by a current Year 12 student. She guides visitors in their digital journey through the campus, bridging past and present in a way that is both engaging and meaningful.
Carrying the Mercy Story Forward
Throughout the Centre, artefacts give tangible expression to the Mercy story. Displays of historical photographs, student work, school uniforms, music and poetry offer insight into the lived experience of the Sisters of Mercy and All Hallows’ students across time, reflecting both continuity and change within the educational landscape.
Yet the Heritage Centre is more than a collection of artefacts. It calls visitors to understand the legacy they have received and to consider how they might carry that story forward. In this way, the Centre embodies the spirit of Catherine McAuley, whose commitment to education, compassion and justice continues to shape the mission of All Hallows’ today.
The opening and blessing of the Heritage Centre marks a significant milestone not only for All Hallows’ School, but for the wider Mercy community. As visitors cross its threshold, they are invited into more than history; they are welcomed into a living tradition of Mercy.
Claire Easton (Dean of Mission)
