Chairmans Message

A Catholic Icon For Generations

A specific fundraising Committee comprising a range of professional and experienced personnel from throughout the diocese has been formed to appropriately manage the task of fundraising for the project.

Company Director and current Chairman of the Rockhampton Regional Development Limited,
Michael Cranny has been appointed Chairman of the Cathedral Restoration Fundraising Committee with Cathedral identity – Solicitor Michael Stockall as Deputy Chair.

The makeup of the Cathedral Restoration Fundraising Committee includes Bishop Heenan, Vicar General - Father John Grace, Cathedral Administrator Father John Daly, Property Developer Andrew Beaumont, Regional Director Andrew Bourne, Company Director Tim Collard, Local Businesswoman Madonna Crow, Civil Servant Bradley Duke, Builder Brian Griffin, Diocesan Director of Catholic Education Leesa Jeffcoat, Property Manager Cedric Loch, Boutique Owner Jill Milne, Diocesan Financial Director Chris O’Brien, and Retiree and Parishioner - Parish of South Rockhampton Doug Tucker.

Mr Cranny is passionate about the project and is confident his committee, with the support of the people throughout the area can meet the fundraising targets.

“The Cathedral in Rockhampton is possibly the most significant cultural heritage listed Catholic icon in the Capricornia region and it’s falling into disrepair.

The Bishop and various committees that run the Diocese of Rockhampton have made the decision to appeal to the people of the Diocese for help to fund this restoration project. They have recommended the formation of a committee to focus on raising in excess of $5,000,000 required to complete the work, and have selected a group to do the planning and oversee the fundraising.

You will be aware that this is not a cheap option, but the planned restoration of the Cathedral to its flagship position as the centre of Catholic gatherings and services in this region is more than worthwhile.

The committee members believe this to be our time to give sufficient funds to ensure that this and future generations understand how proud we are to be Catholics and carry out our responsibilities, to look after the magnificent Cathedral handed to us by previous generations.

The committee have met and come up with eight ideas to raise funds and to keep the project in focus. One proposed fundraising approach is to involve the community at a minimum personal cost and still raise $5,000,000. There are about 95,000 Catholics in the Rockhampton Diocese, and if 10,000 of them can sign up to pay $100 per year for 5 years, then the community will have raised the $5m. When you consider $100 a year or $25 a quarter as each of our contributions for five years, the target amount becomes a reality, and the community has exercised its stewardship in the most practical way.

The Cathedral is restored as an icon.”

Michael Griffin has been appointed as Executive Officer to the Cathedral Fundraising Committee and his main role is to facilitate the business of the committee and assist in the progression of any strategies the committee may wish to pursue.

As mentioned before, the fundraising will launched in July however if any information is required prior, Michael may be contacted as follows:

Email: crfc@rok.catholic.net.au or Postal Address – P.O. Box 611, 170 William Street, Rockhampton 4700

Those wishing to formally register their support and pledge to the Fundraising Appeal are asked to complete the bottom portion of this form and either email, post, of hand on to your Parish Priest and contact will be made in due course.

Michael Cranny