Diocese appeals for Federal funds for cathedral

The Geraldton Diocese is appealing for Federal Government support to help complete work already under way at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral.

The $7 million project will incorporate a cafe and museum among other additions, and has already received $2.2 million of State Government support through Royalties for Regions, as well as $2.46 million from community donations.

Father Robert Cross said the Geraldton Diocese, which had also invested $1.4 million, was optimistic the Federal Government would contribute close to $3 million to help finish the project.

“We’re living in hope but it’s very urgent, we need it as soon as possible because the longer we don’t get it, it’s increasing our cost,” Father Cross said.

“We thought that given the State Government has contributed that amount, and the local community has contributed the same amount, if not more, that the Commonwealth Government would be in here saying ‘great job, here’s our contribution’.”

The Church is hopeful work will be finished by April next year, with a grand opening ceremony slated for September to line up with the 100th anniversary of work starting on St Francis Xavier Cathedral.

The planned museum will feature work and artefacts from the late Monsignor Hawes, who designed a number of buildings in the Mid West including the cathedral.

As part of the preparations, two heritage experts from Perth have travelled to Geraldton to examine the diocese’s collection which includes Hawes’ original plans, models, architectural tools and other possessions.

The exhibition’s creative director, Scott Watson, said he appreciated the way Hawes would plan the entire composition of a building — from architectural work, to the interior design and furniture.

“It’s the level of detail that he goes into, not just within his buildings but also the models (and) the drawings,” Mr Watson said.

Museum curator Lorraine Fitzpatrick was full of admiration for the prolific Hawes and the legacy he left in the Mid West.

“He was here for 24 years and there are 23 extant buildings — that’s like a building a year, which is pretty good in anybody’s language,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

“It’s quite hard to put into words what I feel about him, but I think he was a genius, and just an amazing, remarkable man.”