Thursday, 23 February 2023

Maureen Kavanagh

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, Minister for Employment, Minister for Public Transport) (11:02): On 6 February I joined hundreds of locals at the chapel of St Bernard’s College to celebrate the life of Maureen Kavanagh, a wonderful local lady who contributed so much to our community. Maureen came from a tradition of contribution. Her grandfather was the manager of the first St Vincent de Paul shop, which was established in Victoria in Spencer Street in 1925 before it moved to its current location on Maribyrnong Road, Ascot Vale. She was passionate about the preservation of history and contributing to our community identity. She was a proud resident of Keilor since 1972 and was instrumental in establishing the Keilor Historical Society as well as the preservation of the Arundel Road trestle bridge, and she wrote the 10-year history of St Augustine’s school in Keilor.

A most significant contribution in Maureen’s life was her contribution to St Bernard’s College, Essendon, which I had the honour of attending with her sons Bryce and Shane. She dedicated over 37 years to the college as a parent, a member of the ladies auxiliary and a member of the college board. Her lasting legacy at the college is the college archives, which were established nearly 30 years ago, initially working as a volunteer and then as a staff member. She was meticulous in the preservation of memorabilia, photos, oral history, video recordings and past students’ work. Her proudest contribution was establishing the John O’Connor Award in memory of John O’Connor, a former student who died at the age of 26 in the Vietnam War – the only St Bernard’s student on military service who passed away. Her voice will continue and long live. My condolences to Shane, Bryce and Elise, her proudest achievements.