St Joseph’s

Did you ever hear of a school that survived a toxic flood? Right here, at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, or as the locals call it, “Terrace” or “GT,” stands a testament to resilience. St Joseph’s College was founded on July 5, 1875, by three Irish Christian Brothers. It’s a boys’ school, steeped in the Edmund Rice tradition, educating young men from Years 5 to 12. St Joseph’s isn’t just about academics though. It’s part of the Great Public Schools’ Association, known for its fierce rivalries in sports. Rugby is a big deal here, with Terrace boasting more Wallabies alumni than any other school in Queensland. That’s second most in all of Australia. But back to the flood. In January 2011, the Brisbane floods devastated the city. St Joseph’s playing fields at Tennyson were inundated. Not just with water, mind you, but with toxic waste from the nearby Rocklea Fruit Market. Imagine the scene. The iconic grandstand, a fixture of countless games, was destroyed. The canteen and boatshed were swamped. The fields themselves were contaminated, unusable for an entire school year. They couldn’t even play a home game. Except for one, generously hosted by Brisbane Grammar School at Northgate. The rest were away games. But St Joseph’s, true to its motto, “Servire Deo Sapere” – “To serve God is to be wise,” persevered. They rebuilt. They refurbished. They replaced the contaminated soil and turf. And in 2012, Tennyson reopened, complete with a brand new grandstand and player facilities. St Joseph’s stands today, a symbol of strength and recovery. A place where young men are taught not just to survive, but to thrive, even in the face of adversity.