A Living Story of Mercy: The Opening of the All Hallows’ Heritage Centre

Introduction

My name is Claire Easton and I am Dean of Mission at All Hallows' School in Brisbane, Australia. Our school is a Mercy School founded by Mother Vincent Whitty - one of Catherine McAuley's contemporaries. Our school is celebrating it's 165th anniversary in 2026.

I wanted to share the story of the recent opening of the All Hallows' Heritage Centre which took place as part of our anniversary celebrations.

This is a story of the enduring legacy of Mercy in Brisbane and it highlights the importance of preserving the sense of mission that is so important to keeping Mercy alive and relevant.

Past, present and future meet in a living expression of the Mercy charism

On Wednesday 27 May 2026, the All Hallows’ community gathered in gratitude and hope to celebrate the official opening and blessing of the All Hallows’ Heritage Centre - a space where past, present and future meet in a living expression of the Mercy charism.

Representatives of the Brisbane Sisters of Mercy, school leadership, past principals, students, staff and community members came together for a liturgy of thanksgiving, marking more than a moment of celebration - it was an act of remembrance and renewal. The prayers offered honoured 165 years of Mercy presence in Brisbane, recognising the profound impact of the Sisters of Mercy on education, healthcare and social services across Queensland and beyond.

At the heart of the Heritage Centre is a clear and compelling purpose: to preserve, interpret and animate the rich story of All Hallows’ School within the wider Mercy tradition. It is not simply a museum of the past, but a dynamic educational and formation space, designed to inspire students, staff and visitors to engage deeply with the legacy they inherit. The Centre ensures that the stories of the Brisbane Sisters of Mercy - stories of courage, faith, compassion and justice - remain accessible, relevant and transformative for contemporary audiences.

Hosted within the historic Adderton building, first established in 1858 and central to the early development of the school and convent, the Heritage Centre carries forward a legacy that began when the Sisters opened All Hallows’ School as Queensland’s first secondary school for girls in 1861. The building itself stands as a powerful symbol of continuity - a place where generations have lived, learned and served, and where the Mercy story has taken root and flourished.

The Heritage Centre features five distinct spaces, each designed to immerse visitors in the unfolding story of Mercy. One room highlights the expansive impact of the Sisters of Mercy across Queensland, offering insight into their ministries and the communities they have served. Another showcases archival material from the school’s 165-year history, capturing the evolution of All Hallows’ and the lives of those shaped by its mission.

The first Mercy Student - Annie Tighe

Additional spaces include a dedicated reading room, a photographic display honouring past pupils, an audio-visual room where visitors can engage with archival footage, and an innovative interactive display that maps the history of the school’s buildings. This digital experience, voiced by Year 12 student Eliza Evans, invites visitors to explore the campus through a projected map, where selecting a building reveals its story through narration, animation and archival imagery. The character of “Annie,” named after the school’s first student, Annie Tighe, guides visitors, bridging past and present in a way that is both engaging and meaningful.

The enduring power of story

Throughout the Centre, artefacts give tangible expression to the Mercy story. Among the most significant is the writing desk of Catherine McAuley, dating from the 1820s - a powerful link to the foundress whose vision continues to inspire generations.

Displays of historical photographs, student work, school uniforms, music and poetry offer insight into the lived experience of the Sisters of Mercy and All Hallows’ students across time, reflecting both continuity and change within the educational landscape.

Yet the Heritage Centre is more than a collection of artefacts. As was reflected in the liturgy of blessing, it is a place that invites all who enter to recognise that identity is shaped by story. It calls visitors to understand the legacy they have received and to consider how they might carry that story forward. In this way, the Centre embodies the spirit of Catherine McAuley, whose commitment to education, compassion and justice continues to shape the mission of All Hallows’ today.

The opening and blessing of the Heritage Centre marks a significant milestone not only for All Hallows’ School, but for the wider Mercy community. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of story - preserved with care, shared with intention and lived with courage. As visitors cross its threshold, they are invited into more than history; they are welcomed into a living tradition of Mercy, called to be expressed anew in every generation.

Claire Easton, Dean of Mission

Editor’s Note: What a wonderful way to capture not just history but the living and breathing Mercy charism that is so evident in the school. Congratulations on your 165th anniversary and well done to all involved in bringing the Heritage Centre to life. Thanks to Claire for taking the time to share this.

Photos used with permission.