Newman College’s new $12 million state-of-the art Auditorium is a gift to the future generations of the College, said Principal John Finneran at an opening and blessing ceremony last Friday, 1 April.
The new Auditorium was officially opened by the Bishop of Bunbury, Bishop Gerard Holohan, at a special blessing ceremony attended by more than 500 guests.
Addressing the audience, Principal John Finneran said the state-of-the-art building will not only benefit current students.
“In order to deliver the best in teaching and learning, we are always seeking to evolve our learning spaces,” he said.
The building is acoustically designed to bring out the best in any musical or other live performance or event. With a capacity for seating 680 people, it faces a large and flexible stage with an orchestra pit.
The Marist Auditorium offers opportunities for a wide range of uses in musical and theatrical performance as well as for rehearsals, exams, graduations, conferences, seminars and other presentations.
“Now our students have the opportunity to perform and learn in a professional environment, which will ultimately benefit them in their future endeavours,” Mr Finneran said.
“Significantly, the addition of the Marist Auditorium will strengthen the College’s partnership with the wider community. Its multipurpose function will allow community groups and other schools to access the space and so promote the College’s commitment to Community Engagement.”
During his address, Mr Finneran thanked the College community for its support and funding of the building.
The occasion was attended by Catholic Education WA Executive Director, Dr Tim McDonald, National Director for Marist Schools Australia, Br Michael Green FMS, City of Stirling Councillor Stephanie Proud, Mayor of Cambridge Keri Shannon, in addition to representative staff and students of the College.
Planning for the Marist Auditorium began in 2014, with the construction taking place throughout 2015 and 2016.