A Word from the Principal
Megan Richardson
A Warm Welcome to Our New Shepherd in Tasmania
Our Catholic community in Tasmania is preparing for a very special new chapter as we welcome Bishop Anthony John Ireland as the new Archbishop of Hobart. Bishop Anthony steps into this role following Archbishop Julian Porteous, who has served our state with dedication for nearly 12 years. This Tuesday, College Captains Miranda Gillie, Lola Helmers and I attended Archbishop Tony’s Installation held at St Mary’s Cathedral. The ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate Archbishop Julian’s service to the Diocese and welcome Archbishop Tony.
The Archbishop’s Role
The Archbishop is the spiritual shepherd of the Catholic community in Tasmania. His role is to guide and support our faith journey, nurture our parishes and schools, celebrate the sacraments, and help us live the Gospel in our daily lives. He also speaks up for values of justice, compassion, and care for others - both within the Church and in the wider community.
Bishop Anthony was appointed to this role by Pope Leo XIV on 20 June 2025, and was officially installed as Archbishop at St Mary’s Cathedral on Tuesday. The evening before, a special prayer service called Solemn Vespers was held to prepare for this joyful occasion.
Born in Melbourne in 1957, Bishop Anthony was ordained a priest in 1987 and has served in many parishes. His years of ministry have taken him from parish communities to the academic world, where he earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology in Rome. He has also led the formation of future priests as Rector at Corpus Christi College and worked in Catholic health care, bringing together deep faith, wisdom, and compassion.
His motto, “Confirm, strengthen, and support” (1 Peter 5:10), reflects his heart for encouraging others in their faith. He describes his new role as “a spirit of service and devotion” and says he is ready “to lead in faith, to serve with love, and to worship in spirit and in truth.”
Looking Ahead with Hope
As we welcome Archbishop-elect Anthony Ireland, we do so with joy and anticipation. His leadership will be grounded in faith, humility, and a desire to walk alongside the people of Tasmania. This is an exciting time for our Church - a time to grow together as we follow Christ’s call in our lives.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for drawing Archbishop-elect Anthony Ireland to serve
Your people in Hobart.
Grant him wisdom as he leads in faith, compassion as he ministers with love,
and humility as he supports and strengthens the Church in Tasmania.
May Your Spirit guide him,
and may Your grace accompany his steps.
Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Call for College Board Nominations – Join Us in Shaping Our Future
We invite parents, carers, and community members with a passion for Mount Carmel Catholic College to consider nominating for our College Board.
The College Board plays a vital role in supporting the Principal and leadership team, helping to shape the strategic direction of the school, strengthen our Catholic identity, and ensure that the voices of families are part of key decisions.
Serving on the Board is a rewarding way to:
Share your skills, insights, and faith commitment
Contribute to the growth and success of our College community
Support initiatives that benefit every student
Strengthen the partnership between school and families
What’s Involved
Board members commit to monthly meetings during the school year, bringing a willingness to work collaboratively and uphold the mission and values of our College.
If you believe in our mission and want to be part of building a strong future for our girls, we would love to hear from you.
To nominate or learn more, please contact the College Office for a nomination form or further details.
Silent Auction
A reminder that Mount Carmel College will be holding a Silent Auction for the very first time as part of our Arts Festival! We invite families and friends to make donations of items as we raise money to refurbish our tired Hall. Examples could include vouchers, new items from your workplace, gift hampers, tickets, memorabilia, experiences, accommodation, food hampers, handcrafted items and gift cards.
The possibilities are endless!
Please contact Caroline Jager at caroline.jager@mountcarmel.tas.edu.au to contribute.