Catholic Identity and Ministry
Lachlan Marsh: Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry
MacKillop Catholic College’s name, crest, and motto were chosen in 1993 through a competition involving students from local Catholic Primary Schools. The name 'MacKillop' was selected from many entries, while the College crest was originally designed by student Christina Ramsay and later refined by a professional designer.
The crest’s symbols, the star, cross, and water, represent Jesus as a guide, new life through baptism, and the College’s connection to the River Derwent. The motto, “In Faith and Hope and Love,” reflects our core Christian values and strong foundation in faith.
Read more about the College name, crest and motto below.
The College Name
The ‘Eastern Shore Catholic College’ was the only name our College had until May 1993. Students at the four Eastern Shore Catholic primary schools were invited to enter a competition to name the college, design a crest and propose a motto. On 19 May, the results were announced.
Many students proposed the name ‘MacKillop’ for our college. Jessica Direen, of St Cuthbert’s Catholic School was selected at random from all the winning entries.
The College Crest
Christina Ramsay (Class of 1998) provided the original design of the College Crest. She wrote: The cross and the star intersect, each gaining inspiration from the other. Symbolic of the Australian Southern Cross, a star, the birth of Christ, hope and new life.”
Christina Ramsay fought a long and courageous battle with cancer, passing away in 2004. You can read more about Christina’s story, including her diaries, on the MacKillop College website here.
The initial design was sent to Mr Ian Ferrier a Brisbane designer who prepared the official version of the crest, still used today.
The Star represents Jesus, our guide in life. The Water represents New Life and the waters of Baptism. The water also refers to the college as being the first Catholic School across the River Derwent on Hobart’s Eastern Shore.
The College Motto
Sophie Hutchins, Corpus Christi Catholic School, suggested our motto, “In Faith and Hope and Love”. Coincidentally, this is the title of a traditional Catholic Hymn written in Hobart by the noted Australian poet, James McAuley (1917 – 1976).
The Hymn includes lyrics that connect strongly with the symbols on the College Crest:
“In faith and hope and love with joyful trust we move towards our Father's home above.Christ, our star, our map, our road, to the Father's high abode.”
At MacKillop Catholic College we have Faith in God, Hope for our future that leads to God, and Love for God and each other.
Coat of Arms of Bishop‑elect Fr. Mark Freeman
The star and cross intersecting, as in the Mackillop College arms, is reflective of our relationship with God — transcendence (star) and immanence (cross), the divine and the human, eternal and incarnate. This image was suggested by a young student (Christina Ramsay) at the time Mackillop College was being established in 1993. Her family was involved in the parish of my first appointment as a priest. Sadly, this young woman succumbed to Leukaemia in her early 20s. The image she had suggested is symbolic of my priestly life and ministry.
The three flames of the St Patrick’s College arms reflect the charisms of the founding orders of the colleges that made up the combined college in Launceston — Presentations Sisters, Christian Brothers and Sisters of St Joseph. The first two were the ones who educated me. I have worked very closely with the Josephites during my priestly ministry in Tasmania. They also evoke the Trinitarian theology associated with St Patrick, who is my Confirmation Patron and the titular of the Ballarat Cathedral.