Brisbane Archbishop Shane Mackinlay has paid tribute to Sally Towns, the long-serving Catholic education leader who died on Saturday. Source: The Catholic Leader.
Dr Towns served in Catholic education for more than 30 years and led Brisbane Catholic Education for four years until her resignation in March this year.
Archbishop Mackinlay said the news would come as “a great shock and sorrow to many across our archdiocese and the wider Catholic education community”.
“Sally was a woman of deep faith, extraordinary dedication and immense courage,” he said.
“Over more than 30 years of service to Catholic education, including the last four years as executive director of Brisbane Catholic Education, Sally devoted her life to the formation, care and education of young people.
“Sally’s death is a profound loss for all who knew her.
“At this difficult time, I ask that you join me in holding Sally’s family, friends and colleagues in our prayers.
“We also remember the many staff and school communities who worked closely with Sally and who will feel this loss deeply.
“As people of faith, we entrust Sally to the loving mercy of God, whom she served so faithfully throughout her life.”
Dr Towns grew up in the Hunter Valley, attended Catholic schools, and later completed a teaching degree at Sydney University.
At first, she taught in Tumut in the Canberra-Goulburn Diocese then moved to the New South Wales mid north coast.
She worked at John Paul College, Coffs Harbour, where she established and led an annex of John Paul College for Indigenous students in Bowraville, NSW.
Dr Towns then worked as a high school teacher in Kempsey before accepting a position as deputy principal at MacKillop Catholic College, Hobart.
Less than a year after her appointment, she was promoted to principal and spent seven years in the role.
Dr Towns then moved into system leadership with a role as director of school effectiveness in the Cairns Catholic Education Office.
In 2019, she was appointed director of Catholic Schools in Lismore and stepped into her role as BCE executive director in 2022.
FULL STORY
Community mourns Catholic education leader Dr Sally Towns, remembered for her faith, dedication and courage (By Joe Higgins, The Catholic Leader)
