BROTHER PATRICK AMBROSE TREACY

( A Great Pioneer - without a Monument)

One of the first to meet and welcome Brother Treacy and his small band of Christian Brothers when they arrived in Melbourne in November 1868 was a fellow-Thurlesman, John O'Shanassy (born in Ballinahow, 5 May 1818), three times Premier of Victoria from 1857 to 1863 when be resigned office. Another famous Irishman who shook their hands on that day was Charles Gavan Duffy who also had the distinction of holding the office of Premier of Victoria and who, like O'Shanassy , was to be knighted for his service to the burgeoning new colonies.

However, this is the story of "The second founder of the Christian Brothers", Patrick Ambrose Treacy, whose labours and magnificent achievements have either been forgotten or simply never fully recognised.

Patrick Treacy was born In Parnell St. (then New St. )and baptised on 3rd of August 1834. Though his subsequent biographers have provided him with an almost middle-class background, this does not accord with our knowledge of his home and street of that period. His father, William, lived in a small slated house which measured a mere 16 feet by 22 feet and was only 9 feet high at the eaves. In the 'House Books' of 1846 the house was rated as medium aged and not in perfect repair. His father seems to have been strict and somewhat authoritarian; the only concession to levity in the housebold appears to have been that Patrick was taught the violin - an accomplishment which always seemed out of character in so serious, pragmatic and disciplined a monk as Patrick was to become. Yet in later years he still played the fiddle and had the usual repertoire of jigs, reels and Irish melodies, but he could also play the odd classical air.
Late in his life, when confiding to Brother T. R. Hughes, he recalled a day when a mere stripling he almost drowned in the River Suir (pronounced Shure) but managed to hang on to a rock until rescued.

Patrick's first lessons were provided by a Mr Dowling, in one of the small 'pay-schools' which still survived at the time. He moved on from there to the C.B.S. in town where the Director was Brother P. F. Larkin who with two others had attempted to establish the Christian Brothers in Sydney, Australia, between 1843 and 1847. Their efforts were frustrated by interference from Archbishop Polding of that city. To ensure the institution's independence from further encroachments, the brothers were recalled from Australia by the order's Superior General. Amongst the pupils who attended the Thurles C.B.S. at this time were Patrick John Ryan, later to become Archbishop of Philadelphia, and Patrick Fanning who entered the C.B.S. Novitiate but had to withdraw because of poor health (later, he joined the De La Salle Brothers in the U.S.A. and rose to be Provincial of that order in America at the same time as Patrick Treacy was to hold the very same title in Australia) . Patrick Treacy was three years younger then Patrick John Ryan and as Ryan left Thurles at the age of twelve to attend Mr. MacNaughton's School in Ricbmond St. in Dublin, it is unlikely that be knew the future Archbishop.

While at the Thurles C.B.S. Patrick was very much attracted to a picture that hung in the Brother's parlour; it was a picture captioned 'Mater Amabilis'. Many years later, in 1883, when Brother Treacy came back to Ireland, be stopped by the school and was given this picture he so much admired. Patrick was a good pupil and excelled in English and Mathematics. On 13 February 1852 Patrick entered the Christian Brothers' Novitiate at Mount Sion, Waterford. Here he was later professed and given the name in religion of 'Ambrose'.

The neophyte Brother was sent to the newly opened C.B.S. in Wexford where he put his mathematical expertise to good use by teaching the pupils the essential fundamentals for their Diplomas in Navigation. He is remembered as a disciplinarian in class but also fair and impartial. Perhaps we should include a brief resume of the Brothers daily regimen at Wexford...

" Met in Oratory at 5:15 A.M... then meditation till six, when the Angelus, the Litany of Jesus and seven Paters and Aves were said aloud. A short time then allowed for washing and tidying up their bedrooms... then a quarter of an hour's spiritual lecture... then Mass, breakfast and school. In those days breakfast consisted of bread, butter and tea only... nothing then until half-past three. Supper at 8 P.M., like breakfast, but much less in quantity. Water was the only drink allowed at dinner (very special occasions draught ale or porter permitted). The Brothers were allowed to walk in the country only one evening a week, namely, Wednesday. Summer, Christmas and Easter school breaks were spent in their own monasteries. Fastdays and Lent saw more spartan fare..."

In 1863, at the age of 29, Patrick Ambrose Treacy was appointed Director at Carlow. Here be displayed a talent for improving the physical structures of the Academy and the Brothers' residence which was to be of advantage when he faced his building programmes in the southern hemisphere. Here, too, his forward-looking educational innovations marked him as a man who had outstanding leadership traits. His personal devotion to the Blessed Virgin was once more demonstrated when be had a grotto erected at Carlow to his own special mediatrix. When the Superior General of the Brothers, J. A. Hoare, was finally persuaded by Bishop Goold (with pressure also from the Propaganda at Rome) to send a mission to Melbourne, Brother Treacy was his first choice to lead the difficult mission. In a letter to Brother Hoare in July, 1868, Brother Treacy writes...

"When informed some time ago that I was spoken of as likely to be sent, though I did not attach much importance to it, my sentiments were that I would not make the selection of it, but if sent I would endeavour to act my part faithfully, whatever it might be."

This strange reluctance on his part to volunteer for any assignment but, nevertheless, always obeying direction without question, recurs frequently throughout his life. In his peculiar logic be equated volunteering with self seeking and lack of humility.

Chosen for this pioneering mission under his direction were, Bro. Dominic Fursey Bodkin(1843-1929) from County Galway, Bro. John Barnabus Lynch(1839-1921) from County Carlow and a lay brother, P.J. Nolan(1823 -1904). This little band of Brothers left Dublin on 15 Aug. 1868 - auspicious from Brother Treacy's point of view because it was the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin - and sailed to Liverpool. A couple of weeks later they boarded the sailing ship "Donald McKay" bound for Port Phillip and the land of the Southern Cross.

Though the Brothers' first-class fare was paid for by Bishop Goold, there appeared to have been no provision for incidental expenses. In fact, when Brother Nolan's tool box fell overboard during loading (strong suspicion that this was deliberately contrived to mulct the unsuspecting Brothers), Brother Treacy had to pay 5/- to have the box recovered. This and other unexpected outlays left Brother Treacy with only 7/6 for the ten week voyage, a circumstance which prompted him, in writing back to Dublin to remark that they had an unlimited supply "most beautiful water to drink at table throughout the voyage."

Fully prepared for all kinds of sacrifice and hardship, the Brothers were surprised at the comfort they enjoyed while aboard. After a relatively uneventful journey they finally sighted land on 15 Nov.1868... their 14,000 mile voyage was over. One final embarrassment faced Brother Treacy, however, as he bad to borrow 10/- from a fellow-traveller, Father O'Connell, to pay to have their baggage brought ashore. Brother Treacy stepped ashore with only 5/- in his pocket.

Often misquoted and misunderstood is Bishop Goold's laughing reply to Brother Treacy's request for some funds: " I haven't a rap, throw yourself on the people and I will recommend your cause." In reality the Brothers were well taken care of at the Belvedere Hotel, Eastern Hill, near the Cathedral, on the corner of Victoria Parade and Brunswick St. They dined several days at the Bishop's Palace. They were guaranteed the proceeds of an annual diocesan collection. Bishop Goold had anticipated the availability of a State land grant through the influence of John O'Shanassy, Gavan Duffy and others. Unfortunately this was not forthcoming because the Brothers and their school project did not come within the purview of existing legislation. Bishop Goold had also guaranteed the Brothers an annual income of £50 each. So, though their own sustenance was secure there was no alternative for the Brothers but to raise the necessary funds to build and furnish their schools through their own efforts.

Today Melbourne is a city of well over three million inhabitants but when the Brothers settled there in 1868 it had a population of 150,000 (40,000 Catholics) and had experienced a very rapid growth due to the discovery of gold in the highlands to the north in 1851. By the time the Brothers arrived the goldrush had all but petered out and Melbourne was losing its frontier trappings, but it was a prosperous city with little evidence of poverty except that self-inflicted. It was this relative prosperity that influenced Brother Treacy's thinking on providing free education. He felt that virtually every family could afford to pay a weekly fee to the Brothers for their children's education, including textbooks etc. Though this was in contravention of the Order' s rules, he was eventually able to have the rule changed to meet these more 'affluent' circumstances. Some poverty did exist and the Brothers still provided their services and facilities without charge to such children. The fee at first was 6 pence each week but later it was increased to 1/-.

"Towards the end of the year 1868", so recalls William Bloxom, one of the Brothers first pupils, "there was something of a sensation one Sunday morning at St. Francis' Church amongst the worshippers when it became known that the pioneering Christian Brothers bad arrived and that they were ready and waiting to interview the parents of any boys who desired to see them and place their offspring under their charge. After Mass there was such a rush of the parishioners to the old school building that the Brothers were simply astounded at the enthusiasm shown. By far the larger part of the congregation of St Francis' at that time hailed from Ireland, and the presence of the Brothers from the old country in their midst, almost unannounced, literally took their breath away. But the news spread like wildfire... It was not long, however, before it was intimated, to the intense disappointment of a large number, that for the present the lists were full, owing to the meagre accommodation available."
... My mother was elated to a degree in seeing Brother Treacy, whom she knew in Ireland (both were educated in Thurles). The recognition was mutual, and many were the inquiries about people they knew at home and abroad. The people were wildly excited, and long after the Brothers retired there were groups standing around talking over the events of the morning".

Another eyewitness of that day described the Brothers as dressed in "belltoppers and long coats... Brother Treacy was a man something like Dr. Mannix."

The Brothers now found themselves teaching at St. Francis' and canvassing the frontier city after teaching hours. You see Brother Treacy already had his eye on an ideally located one acre plot and this meant that the purchase money would have to be raised by their own exertions. Sometimes the Brothers, especially Brother Lynch, were away from the community for months on end. Even with the Bishop's approval for this, house-to-house soliciting did not mean that they had the field to themselves. Virtually every religious organisation was putting a hand in the pockets of the parishioners... "the people were well plucked". But because the Brothers alone raised the money to buy their plot and pay for the building later erected on it (Victoria Parade), it prompted Brother Treacy to say some years later, "now, whatever we have is our own, and no one can interfere with it." By the time the school at St. Francis opened on 25 January 1869, the Brothers had raised and spent £400 on renovations and furniture, but Brother Treacy knew that more money would be needed if the project was not to fail. So, a special meeting was arranged that same night at the adjoining St. Francis church and new subscriptions started there and then. Before the evening was over the Brothers had a nice tidy sum... £730. O'Shanassy was there, of course.

By now Br. Treacy was beginning to notice that it was the 'poor' Catholics that were the most generous subscribers and that, unlike at home in Ireland, he no longer had to solicit wealthy patronage. The converted Temperance Hall had two schools (classes) and in each was a statue of the Blessed Virgin. Every time the clock struck the hour the classes stood to say the Hail Mary. The Brothers carried a 'signal' - a little wooden instrument with a spring which gave off a sharp crack - because where several groups were in one room it was the most effective method of getting the attention of the group being addressed.

By 1 February 1869 Brother Treacy was able to assess his new pupils...

"You have scarcely an idea of the religious ignorance and indifference of the boys. Confession is almost unknown to a large number averaging the age of thirteen years. Remaining away from Mass on Sunday is an ordinary occurrence. They can smoke cigars, drink, etc., and act the young gent in every respect, but know very little about religion." After a further four weeks exposure to his young charges he remarks " morality is, it appears, at the lowest ebb. It is usual with many of these boys to be out until 12 o'clock at night and often all night". But he continues, " We have no difficulty in managing them in school. There are hundreds applying to be admitted, so that we can well afford to send away irregulars... the people are in admiration of the arrangements and improvements in the schools."

Four months after opening be says,

"You may be sure it has been all work and no play since our arrival", but to reassure the Superior General that the Brothers are not being overtaxed he continues, " I have, however, taken special and particular care of their health. We are drinking Guiness's Export Stout for dinner each day, chops each morning for breakfast and eggs on Friday; any other domestic comfort and care which poor men working require".

There are many stories about incidents which happened to the Brothers as they extended their collecting forays farther into the outback, sometimes covering up to 60 miles a day and spending nine hours on horseback. Brother Treacy was once held by the police because of a complaint that he was not who be represented himself to be. Indeed, many of the horses so generously loaned to the Brothers were quite fractious and frequently unseated their mendicant riders.

But the gruelling hardship paid rich dividends because by May 1869 £2,000 had been paid for the first half acre at Victoria Parade. On 21 November of that year the first stone was laid. By this time the Brothers fund raising repertoire was supplemented by raffles (horse, bridle and saddle, a piano, subscription cards, concerts etc.). By now other religious organisations, no matter where they went, found that Brother Treacy or his fellow "beggars" had been there first.

On Monday 30 January 1871, a scant two years after the arrival of the pioneering Brothers, a beautiful new building, with classrooms and living accommodation for existing Brothers and anticipated new arrivals, opened its doors. By September 1872 all outstanding debts on the site and building were paid in full. To celebrate this outstanding achievement, the Brothers who had scarcely known what a vacation was took the train to Brighton, had a quiet stroll along the beach and mutually rejoiced over the happy result that had crowned their long and trying labours. As Brother Treacy remarked, "We are each ten feet high since the debt was cleared off."

This tireless and dedicated Brother, with the selfless contributions of his fellow- pioneers, had firmly planted the standard of the Irish Christian Brothers under the welcoming gleam of the Southern Stars ... and yet it was only the beginning of his labours in Australasia.

After thirty two years of heroic labour Brother Treacy returned to Ireland as one of the First Assistants to the Superior General but his heart was always with those he left behind in the antipodes - teachers and pupils alike. In 1910 Br. Treacy's health was failing and he was offered the option of returning to Australia. Even in the final two years of his life he continued to labour despite his poor health.

Patrick Ambrose Treacy breathed his last at Gregory Terrace after receiving the rites of the Church on 2 October 1912. He was seventy eight years old and had spent sixty five of those years in the Order of Christian Brothers. He is buried in Nudgee Cemetery near his old Thurles Director, Brother P.F. Larkin, the man whose own earlier efforts to plant the standard of the Christian Brothers in Australia had not I been successful(1843-47). So there today sleep the Master and pupil a long way from Tipperary but very much at home.

Patrick Treacy was baptised in Thurles on 30 Aug 1834
Sponsors: James Dacres & Eliza Shaughnessy*
Brothers & Sisters: Mary Anne(2 Mar 1836); Catherine(9 Apr 1832); Sara(l May 1830); Francis(7 Aug 1844); John(15 Jun 1842 - died); John (4 Mar 1844)
Parents: William Treacy & Margaret Ryan, married 20 Jan 1829.
*Possibly the sponsors above were for the marriage