Our History
The area in which St Flannan's Parish is situated was once beautiful rainforest country and home to the Turrbul (stone) tribe of this region. We recognise their long history on this land and the care they gave to this land for thousands of years.
On 18 September 1952 the Archdiocese bought 4.5ha for £7,500 on the corner of Beams and Handford Road. At the time there was an old residence, a barn, and chicken sheds on the property.
Our foundation priest was Father Michael Brendan Greene, born in Ireland, attended school at St Flannan’s boys day and boarding school, and seminary in Killaloe, County Clare. Father Greene was fluent in seven languages including French. He was one of many Irish seminarians who studied in France and was ordained in Ireland in 1938.
Father Greene named St Flannan’s Zillmere for his former school and parish.
Shortly after ordination, Father Greene arrived in Rockhampton where he worked until 1952 before being transferred to North Ipswich. On 16 March 1953 he was appointed Parish Priest of Zillmere.
Father Greene moved into the old homestead after it was cleaned and made habitable and remained there until the arrival of the Holy Spirit Sisters on 12 February 1954. His first Mass at Zillmere was celebated in the old homestead on 12 April 1953.
Father Greene and parishioners embarked on a massive building campaign. First was the church and hall. Both were used as classrooms until dedicated classrooms were constructed. One hundred and thirty two students commenced studies at St Flannan’s school on Monday 29 March 1954.
St Flannan’s was termed ‘League of Nations’ by Father Greene because he had 8 different nationalities in the parish. In 2024 he may have called it ‘United Nations’ as there are over 40 nations represented in the parish.
The building programme continued apace until the sudden and tragic death of Father Greene.
At 8.25pm on Thursday 13 August 1964, Father Greene was struck by a car while crossing Gympie Road at the Aspley shopping centre. He suffered severe head injuries and had died before the ambulance reached the hospital. He was 53 years of age. A Requiem Mass was celebrated for him at Stephen’s Cathedral the following Monday 17 August 1964.
Father Greene was remembered by his friends and parishioners as gifted with missionary zeal. In addition to the building programme, and assisted by the Holy Spirit sisters he established the Children of Mary, Sacred Heart Sodality, only Names Society, St Vincent de Paul Society, and Sunday night dances. He also drove the school bus delivering children to or from school, and parishioners to Sunday Mass. Everywhere Father Greene went, his dogs followed, even to Mass. The school children loved him. Some afternoons he would sit on the tuckshop steps and entertain the children on their way home after school with fantastic stories about Ireland. He was a caring and compassionate man especially with the sick and dying, and helped others with financial aid when they could not meet their commitments.
Father Greene acknowledged his failings and did not try to hide them. He was firm in his opinions and had ‘fallings out’ with people. But he respected those who challenged him and when a disagreement was settled, it was forgotten.
St Flannan’s today has been built on the foundation of the hard work of Father Greene and those who followed him. As stated in our Vision Statement, "We, the members of St. Flannan’s Catholic Parish, united by our common faith and nourished by our shared Eucharist, strive to make Jesus a reality through our lives as we face the challenges of a changing world. Our aim is to be a welcoming and caring people, respecting the dignity of all, as we walk together in service to each other and the wider community"
