QUEENSLAND Premier Peter Beattie opened Australian Catholic University’s (ACU National) new Brisbane campus at Banyo on March 11, acknowledging the university was a vital player for the good of society.
Mr Beattie said ACU National was a ‘fantastic’ university.
‘It’s not only important for education but for the well-being of the whole community,’ he said.
He was addressing a large audience that included Archbishop John Bathersby, who blessed the new McAuley campus at Banyo; ACU National Chancellor, Christian Brother Julian McDonald; Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Sheehan; Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Muredach Dynan; Senator Brett Mason, representing Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson; and chairwoman of Reconciliation Queensland Inc, Joan Hendriks.
The Catholic bishops of Queensland attended, along with priests, religious, students, staff and a range of politicians.
Mr Beattie, speaking of the value of ACU National’s contribution to society, said that in a world on the brink of war, education and self-respect were important.
Archbishop Bathersby, after blessing the campus, said the union of Church and education was nothing new.
Senator Mason commended ACU National for its commitment to online learning, which he said played a vital role in education and training today.
Newly-elected president of the student representative council, Kristy Quinn, moved a vote of thanks to those involved in the opening ceremony.
Ms Quinn, who is in her final year of studying for a double degree in business and arts, said that when she chose to come to ACU she was aware of its excellent reputation and the high rate of graduate employment it achieved.
But she had come to realise since that ACU was about much more than that.
Prof Sheehan said after the opening: ‘The opening of the university’s new Brisbane campus marks an historic investment in and commitment to the future of Queensland.
