J J Cahill Memorial High School
Encyclopedia
J J Cahill Memorial High School, (frequently abbreviated to JJCMHS; colloquially known as JJ's) is a school in Mascot
, New South Wales
, Australia, on Sutherland Street. It is a co-educational high school
operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training
with students from years 7 to 12. The school was established in 1961 as a comprehensive High School, named in memory of the late local member and Premier of New South Wales, John Joseph Cahill
. Some of its students have gone on to notable success, some holding high public office.
and the premier, Joseph Cahill
, it was decided to establish a high school in Mascot. Owing to delays in construction, the school was not finished until 1961, two years after Cahill's death in office in October 1959.
At the time, the first few intakes of the new high school were housed at Gardeners Road Public School. When the school finally was ready for use, the students carried their books and furniture to the new school site down the road, an event which was commemorated at the school's 50th anniversary in 2011. In memory of Cahill's efforts to bring public education to the local area, the school decided that it was to be named in his honour. Accordingly, "J J Cahill Memorial High School" was officially opened by his widow, Esmey Cahill, on 24 March 1961.
Following a financial contribution of $3 million from the Sydney Ports Corporation as part of the Port Botany Development Project, the school recently built a new gymnasium, which was officially opened on 7 May 2010 by the state premier, Kristina Keneally
, in the presence of the principal Robyn Cowin and the Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay
.
Mascot, New South Wales
Mascot is a suburb in south-eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mascot is located 7 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the City of Botany Bay...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia, on Sutherland Street. It is a co-educational high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training
New South Wales Department of Education and Training
The New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, a department of the Government of New South Wales, is responsibile for primary schools, secondary schools and Technical and Further Education colleges...
with students from years 7 to 12. The school was established in 1961 as a comprehensive High School, named in memory of the late local member and Premier of New South Wales, John Joseph Cahill
Joseph Cahill
John Joseph Cahill was Premier of New South Wales in Australia from 1952 to 1959. He is best remembered as the Premier who approved construction on the Sydney Opera House, and for his work increasing the authority of local government in the state.-Early years:Joe Cahill, as he was popularly known,...
. Some of its students have gone on to notable success, some holding high public office.
History
As a result of lobbying from the local council, residents and the local member for Cook's RiverElectoral district of Cook's River
Cook's River was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, created in 1941, partly replacing Arncliffe, and named after inner southwestern Sydney's Cooks River. It was abolished in 1973....
and the premier, Joseph Cahill
Joseph Cahill
John Joseph Cahill was Premier of New South Wales in Australia from 1952 to 1959. He is best remembered as the Premier who approved construction on the Sydney Opera House, and for his work increasing the authority of local government in the state.-Early years:Joe Cahill, as he was popularly known,...
, it was decided to establish a high school in Mascot. Owing to delays in construction, the school was not finished until 1961, two years after Cahill's death in office in October 1959.
At the time, the first few intakes of the new high school were housed at Gardeners Road Public School. When the school finally was ready for use, the students carried their books and furniture to the new school site down the road, an event which was commemorated at the school's 50th anniversary in 2011. In memory of Cahill's efforts to bring public education to the local area, the school decided that it was to be named in his honour. Accordingly, "J J Cahill Memorial High School" was officially opened by his widow, Esmey Cahill, on 24 March 1961.
Following a financial contribution of $3 million from the Sydney Ports Corporation as part of the Port Botany Development Project, the school recently built a new gymnasium, which was officially opened on 7 May 2010 by the state premier, Kristina Keneally
Kristina Keneally
Kristina Kerscher Keneally MP, is an Australian politician and was the 42nd Premier of New South Wales. She was elected leader of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales and thus Premier in 2009, but went on to lose government to the Liberal/National Coalition at the March 2011 state election...
, in the presence of the principal Robyn Cowin and the Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay
Paul McLeay
Paul Edward McLeay , a former Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the electorate of Heathcote for the Australian Labor Party between 2003 and 2011. In 2010, McLeay resigned his position as a Minister on 1 September 2010 after he admitted...
.
Notable alumni
- Ron HoenigRon HoenigRon Hoenig is an Australian Barrister at Law and is the Mayor of the City of Botany Bay. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party. After being elected as a councillor in 1980, he became mayor in 1981 and has held that position continuously since...
– Lawyer and mayor of the City of Botany BayCity of Botany BayThe City of Botany Bay is a Local Government Area in south eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It encompasses the suburbs to the north of Botany Bay, such as Botany. The administrative centre is located at Mascot, which is 7 km south of the Sydney central business...
(1981–present). - Christine RobertsonChristine RobertsonChristine Mary Robertson is an Australian politician and former Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, serving from 2003 until her retirement in 2011....
– Member of Legislative Council of New South Wales (2003–2011).
See also
- List of Government schools in New South Wales
- Electoral district of HeffronElectoral district of HeffronHeffron is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is named after Robert Heffron, a former Labor premier of New South Wales. It is a safe Labor seat, and is currently represented by former Premier Kristina Keneally of the Australian Labor...
- Division of Kingsford SmithDivision of Kingsford SmithThe Division of Kingsford Smith is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. It is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Sydney, on the north shore of Botany Bay, and the coast of the Tasman Sea...
- City of Botany BayCity of Botany BayThe City of Botany Bay is a Local Government Area in south eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It encompasses the suburbs to the north of Botany Bay, such as Botany. The administrative centre is located at Mascot, which is 7 km south of the Sydney central business...
External links
- New South Wales Department of Education and Training – J J Cahill Memorial High School