Opening and blessing of the Mercy Building

ACU’s Mercy Building was officially opened and blessed yesterday, 16 October, at our McAuley at Banyo Campus in Brisbane.

Speaking at the opening and blessing, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Craven AO, GCSG said the Mercy Building had quickly become the central focus of the campus.

“The Mercy Building’s dimensions, character and position make it uniquely stunning and engaging. It is a world-class teaching and learning facility for our academic community and we are very proud of the project.”

The site of the Mercy Building, and the wider McAuley at Banyo Campus, is historically significant, with a rich Indigenous heritage dating back 40,000 years. More recently there is a history of Catholic education and learning, with the Banyo Seminary established on the site in 1941.

Professor Craven said those who teach and study at the McAuley at Banyo Campus often describe it as a “treasured site”.

“I suspect that may have something to do with its Indigenous and Catholic history as a sacred place, as well as its landscape, elevation, and the mix of old and new architecture that it is now characterised by,” Professor Craven said.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Craven AO, GCSG, Chancellor the Honorable John Fahey AC, Archbishop of Brisbane Most Reverend Mark Coleridge, Congregation Leader of the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Sister Catherine Reuter RSM and Pro-Chancellor Mr Julien O’Connell AM.

ACU Chancellor the Honorable John Fahey AC also spoke at the event and highlighted how McAuley at Banyo had become Queensland’s fastest growing university campus in recent years.

“This growth has occurred over many years of effort and struggle by an academic community that’s been committed to forging its distinctive reputation amongst a discerning student body,” Hon Fahey said.

“With growth comes progress and, for a university, that means offering our students world-class courses, research and facilities.”

The Mercy Building is the most significant building constructed by ACU on the McAuley at Banyo Campus to date and it’s fitting that the theme of mercy is reflected in its name.

The concept of mercy has been a focus of His Holiness Pope Francis throughout his tenure and the Mercy Building project commenced in 2016 during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis.

Additionally, patron of the McAuley at Banyo Campus Venerable Catherine McAuley is the founder of the Sisters of Mercy.

Most Reverend Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane, presided over the blessing of the Mercy Building.

The event was also attended by ACU Pro-Chancellor Mr Julien O’Connell AM, Associate Vice-Chancellor (Queensland) Professor Jim Nyland, Vice-President Father Anthony Casamento CSMA, Chief Operating Officer Dr Stephen Weller, Congregation Leader of the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Sister Catherine Reuter RSM and member of the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane and ACU honorary doctorate recipient Sister Angela Mary Doyle.

Archbishop of Brisbane, Most Reverend Mark Coleridge blesses the Mercy Building.

The Mercy Building features state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor learning and teaching spaces, alongside offices for Marketing and External Relations, Human Resources, Student Administration and IT.

The opening and blessing event was held in the Gaudete Centre, the function centre located on the top level of the Mercy Building.

Modelled on an oculus, the Gaudete Centre is an ‘outward looking eye’ across the surrounding region, providing panoramic views of the city, the ranges and local landmarks.

The function centre can accommodate formal meetings and external events including conferences, award ceremonies, lectures, formal lunches or dinners and cocktail functions.

The Gaudete Centre is managed by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and President and is available for internal and external bookings.

Tours and bookings are welcome. Please contact Functions Coordinator Renee Hutchinson on (07) 3861 6320 or email GaudeteCentre@acu.edu.au