State Government provides $2.5 million to rebuild Bunbury’s cathedral
Plans to rebuild Bunbury’s iconic St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral precinct today moved a step closer with the presentation of a cheque for $2.5 million by South-West Minister Mark McGowan to the Most Reverend Bishop Gerard Holohan. Mr McGowan said the State Government was delighted to assist in rebuilding the cathedral, which had been a Bunbury landmark. The precinct was destroyed by a severe tornado that hit Bunbury on May 16, 2005. The damage caused the State Government to declare the event a natural disaster.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Plans to rebuild Bunbury’s iconic St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral precinct today moved a step closer with the presentation of a cheque for $2.5million by South-West Minister Mark McGowan to the Most Reverend Bishop Gerard Holohan.
The precinct was destroyed by a severe tornado that hit Bunbury on May 16, 2005. The damage caused the State Government to declare the event a natural disaster.
Mr McGowan said the State Government was delighted to assist in rebuilding the cathedral, which had been a Bunbury landmark.
“I saw first-hand the devastating damage the tornado caused to the cathedral precinct only hours after it had struck,” he said.
“The tornado caused irreparable damage to the 84-year-old St Patrick’s Cathedral and there was little choice but for it to be demolished.
“The damage to the precinct also endangered the future of the historically important Parish House, an important part of the local heritage.
“I am confident that with the help of this funding from the Western Australian Government that Bunbury’s icon will be rebuilt better than ever.”
In accepting the cheque on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury, Bishop Holohan said the funding was a welcome contribution to the reconstruction fund.
“I would like to thank the Minister - who has shown a personal interest in the cathedral precinct’s future - on behalf of the Catholic Church and the wider Bunbury community,” Bishop Holohan said.
“The extraordinary response from across the whole community during the consultation about the future cathedral shows the depth of community feeling about the replacement of St Patrick’s.”
The Bunbury Diocese will continue to raise funds for the rebuilding of a new landmark cathedral. To make donations, please contact Rosanna Vinci at the Cathedral Fundraising Campaign on 9721 0500 or rosannav@bunburycatholic.org.au
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