Horatio GeoghanPrint Page

The marble plaque commemorates Very Reverend Dean Horatio Geoghan (1821 - 1895), former Dean of Kyneton.

A feeling of very sincere regret was expressed throughout town this morning when the news got abroad of the sudden and unexpected death of the Very Rev. Dean Horatio Geoghegan. The late dean had been in failing health for a considerable time, but was always able to attend to celebrate 8 o'clock mass on Sunday morning. He went to bed last night in his usual health, but was found dead this morning by his housekeeper, sitting in his chair with his face turned towards the church he loved so well.

By the dean's death one of the most prominent pioneer leaders in this colony of the Roman Catholic Church has been removed, and his loss will be widely regretted. He was born in Dublin in 1821, and came out to Australia in 1851, arriving in Adelaide with the late doctor (afterwards Bishop) Geoghegan. He was ordained by Dr. Wilson, Bishop of Hobart, in 1857. His first mission war that of St. Francis's, Melbourne; from 1853 to 1859 he ministered at Geelong, coming, to Kyneton in the latter year and remaining here until his death. He was appointed dean by the late Dr. Gould in 1880. On the introduction of the present system of national instruction, the late dean set to work to establish a network of Roman Catholic schools, and succeeded in getting 24 built in his parish, which at that time, extended from Gisborne to Elphinstone one way and from Lancefield to Daylesford the other. All the schools were under his control, and to a great extent maintained by him. The deceased gentleman was of a most kindly nature, gentle and loving, and his death is mourned by the whole of this district, irrespective of creed or country.
Traralgon Record (Vic), 2 August 1895.

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