By Glynnis Grainger
TRINITY College’s Br P L O’Doherty Cultural Centre was officially opened on 16 November with crucifixes crafted by headmaster Ivan Banks.
The building and crucifixes were blessed by Archbishop Barry Hickey with the crucifixes crafted by Mr Banks from jarrah taken from the original B block.
Christian Brother Tony Kelly, the first headmaster at Trinity College in 1962, unveiled the commemorative plaque and there was an address from Mr Banks and also from the chairman of the Board, Wayne Bowen.
The 300 guests were then invited to look through the building and go to the top floor (Staff Lounge) for a cocktail party.
There was a jazz band playing in the Staff Lounge, a string quartet on the first floor and Junior School students played percussion and marimba in the second floor studio (Mary Kerr Music Room), with a Fazioli piano played in the Dr Robert Braham Auditorium on the first floor.
The building was named after Br O’Doherty, who was universally loved and respected by all who knew him at the College.
From 1972-79 Br Pat was the promoter of vocations to the religious life in WA and SA and during this time he was a member of the Trinity community.
In 1984, Br Pat returned to the College where, for 11 years, he was a teacher of religious education and mathematics.
He was also involved in many areas of school life and was very popular among the students.
In 1994, he took on chaplaincy duties at the College and coordinated the Christian Service programme for Year 11 students and became responsible for the India Pilgrimage, which continues today. There are art rooms on the ground floor, an auditorium and rehearsal room on the first floor, music rooms and rehearsal room for the Cathedral Choir on the second floor, the Boardroom on the third floor and the Pipes and Drums Room beneath Gibney Hall.