MM 50 Years Ago

Pompallier College is now Launched

The new Marist College at Maunu on the outskirts of Whangarei was officially declared open by His Eminence Cardinal McKeefry during March in the presence of more than a thousand people from all over Northland. It is the first Catholic boys’ secondary school north of Auckland in modern times. It caters for boarders as well as day boys. …

Preparations for the school had commenced nearly nine years ago when the Maunu farm was purchased. It was the culmination of efforts by three successive parish priests of Whangarei, Frs J Hendren SM, the late H A Lister SM and J H Sloane SM. …

The new Rector, Fr B T Wysocki SM, in introducing Archbishop Liston, remarked that the staff of the College had been delighted that His Grace had agreed that the first Boarding House be named Liston House. …

When Fr Wysocki introduced the guest of honour, Cardinal McKeefry, he noted that it was the first opportunity the North had had to honour him since he had become a member of the College of Cardinals.     

May 1971