80-year tradition draws to a close at St Brendan’s College Yeppoon

A well-known Central Queensland boarding school is set to break with a tradition that dates back to the foundation of the college more than 80 years ago.

One of Central Queensland’s most prestigious boarding schools is set to break away from a Christian tradition that traces back to the college’s foundation more than 80 years ago.

Christian Brothers Oceania Province this month announced it would withdraw from St Brendan’s College at Yeppoon at the end of the 2023 academic year.

While St Brendan’s will remain as an Edmund Rice Education Australia school, it means there will be no brothers on site for the first time since the college was founded in 1940.

Christian Brothers Oceania Province acting province leader Brother Paul Conn said the decision was necessary because of the age of the current brothers and the declining numbers overall.

Brother Kevin Smith of St Brendan's College, Yeppoon. St Brendan's College/Facebook

St Brendan’s Brothers Steve Grundy and Kevin Smith will move off site following term 4 next year, marking the end of an era at the college.

Br Conn said it was a sad decision but was confident the college would continue to thrive.

The college confirmed it would next year formally acknowledge the “momentous” contribution Christian Brothers had left.

“There is a saying that the strength of an organisation comes from its stories and traditions but the future of an organisation rests in its relevance and innovation,” the college said in a statement.

“The Brothers have been a source of strength for the college from the very beginning. We stand on the shoulders of so many Brothers who have gone before us and who served to ensure the college is a leading educational school in Queensland.”

The college confirmed its status as an Edmund Rice Education Australia school would remain.

“The Brothers will leave knowing the Edmund Rice Charism permeates the very fabric of our college now and into the future,” it said.

“Their imprint on the college is marked by their example of hard work, passion, compassion and service.”

The rugby league powerhouse college alumnus include current NRL players Ben Hunt, Corey Oates and Harry Grant, and comedian Gerry Connolly.