Family connection continues for Catholic education stalwart

WHEN Tom Fitzsimon started Prep this year at St Anthony’s School, Kedron, he continued a family connection with Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) that began back in 1973.

It was a proud day for the Fitzsimon family as Tom is the grandson and namesake of former Assistant Director of BCE, Tom Fitzsimon, an early pioneer of Catholic education in the Brisbane Archdiocese.

Tom joined BCE as Executive Officer in 1973 and worked closely with then Director Fr Bernard O'Shea to develop much of the policy regarding Catholic schools in the archdiocese.

He was actively involved in the selection and induction of increasing numbers of lay principals, had a major role in the early planning for and establishment of McAuley College and was involved with the setting up of Ngutana-Lui, the Aboriginal and Islander Studies Centre at Inala.

For many years outstanding leadership in BCE has been rewarded with the Tom Fitzsimon Memorial Award.

Tom junior, son of Gerard and Simone, joined a long line of Fitzsimons in BCE’s community of schools, particularly in Brisbane’s north.

He is reported to enjoy a love of learning and of his new Prep teacher Gemma Murphy, and will recognise some familiar faces at St Anthony’s, with father Gerard and uncle Greg both teaching at the school.

All of Tom senior’s nine children were educated in BCE schools with a number now employed by BCE, inspired by their father’s example.

Tom’s uncle David Fitzsimon, a recent graduate, teaches at Our Lady of the Assumption School, Enoggera, while Tom senior’s eldest daughter, Michelle McMillan, is a school officer at All Saints School, Albany Creek, where her brother Sean and wife Judith send children Kieran and Eva.

Also enrolled at All Saints are two of Tom’s grandchildren, Ryan and Olivia Aitken, two of daughter Judith, also a teacher, and husband Rob’s three children.

Judith’s eldest son Joshua attends Padua College, Kedron, while Michelle’s daughter Hannah is at Mt Maria College, Enoggera.

Other grandchildren have either finished or not yet started school in BCE schools.

Young Tom’s Grandmother Margaret (Tom senior’s widow) is extremely supportive of BCE and is regularly seen not only at her grandchildren’s schools, where she offers support to the staff and children, but at many other Catholic schools for important occasions and celebrations.

Margaret was a member of the group from BCE who travelled to Rome for the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop.

Eldest of Margaret and Tom’s nine children, Greg, a long-time employee of BCE said Margaret was very proud of the family’s association with and appreciative of the recognition that Tom continues to receive within our community of schools.

“The acknowledgement of this milestone with the beginning of young Tom’s schooling and its obvious significance for the family is an important part of this recognition, which brings Margaret great joy,” he said.