January, 1918
Archbishop Duhig purchased from Mr M.H. Finlayson, the property known as "Shine Hill", for 2,150 pounds.
There was a fine spacious residence surrounded by well laid out lawns and gardens on the thirteen acres of grounds. Two smaller houses close by were also purchased, and one was to be later used as a presbytery.
25th August, 1918
The foundation stone of the school was blessed and laid by Archbishop Duhig.
26th January, 1919
The newly completed “Our Lady of the Assumption” School was dedicated by His Grace the Most Reverend Dr Redwood. Archbishop of Wellington (N.Z.), assisted by Archbishop Duhig.
The total cost of the building, designed by Mr Geo Trotter Jnr, and built by Mr E Dahlke, was 2,500 pounds. The school was described at the time as “one of the finest parochial school buildings in the Archidiocese”.
28th June, 1931
The Foundation Stone of the present Presbytery was laid by Archbishop Duhig in the presence of about 500 people, including forty of the priests of the metropolitan area.
The Presbytery, erected on the site between the convent and the original school building, was soon completed, and was blessed and opened on 20th September, 1931.
Late 1930’s
Alterations were made to the original school buildings as the increasing number of children in the area created a need for more classroom areas. The open verandahs were closed in and some areas underneath were also enclosed.
1940’s
The school was used for dances for soldiers; and tennis courts were built at Enoggera.
Early 1950’s
The increasing numbers of parishioners was causing overcrowding at the old Enoggera Church, so the school building came into use on weekends as a Mass Centre for the Everton Park end of the Parish.
20th February, 1955
To accommodate the still growing number of students, an Infant’s School designed by Mr F. Cullen was built by Mr J. Pluck. The total cost of the building (now Pender Hall) furniture and fittings was 15,000 pounds, and it was blessed and opened by Archbishop Duhig. The new building was sited between the Presbytery and the original school building, approximately where the closest wing of Mount Maria Junior now stands.
1957
Extensions were made to the school and a tuckshop was provided – at a cost of 6,000 pounds. Extensive renovations were carried out at the convent, with the open verandahs being closed in and the exterior stuccoed. Improvements to the school grounds and surroundings were completed.
10th May, 1966
A meeting at Enoggera Presbytery of the priests of the surroundings areas was told of the decision of the Catholic Education Commission that Enoggera was to be the location of its first secondary school project – to be a regional school financed by a number of parishes and with the help of State and Federal Governments. The new boys’ school was to be sited on part of the original Shine Hill property and would therefore affect O.L.A. School.
22nd November, 1968
After much discussion and a variety of schemes (which included demolition of the convent and building of a new one elsewhere on the site) plans were finalised. Infants’ School was to be transplanted to its present location near the front gate of the convent, and a new primary school of eight classrooms was to be built.
April – 21st May, 1969
The Infants’ School building began its trek, via soaped logs, from its original position. It was moved over a two week period behind the presbytery (causing the demolition of father’s original garage) and across in front of the convent to its current position. On May 21st it was lowered onto its new foundations, and the grounds were repaired.
Ursula Quinn tells a good story of the transfer of the old school. Apparently the move was during a particularly wet period, and some of the boys of the school, ever curious, managed to acquire a thick coating of mud on their clothes. Sister John in her charity provided a change of clothing for the boys until her stocks ran out. She then – with a stroke of genius – replaced the boys’ muddied gear with girl’s clothes. Results were immediate and lasting – no more boys played in the mud.
29th August, 1969
The foundation stone of the new school block was blessed and laid by Archibishop O’Donnell. The construction of the covered ways was in progress.
February, 1970
The official opening of the new block was undertaken by Archbishop O’Donnell. The building, consisting of ten classrooms, a tuckshop and toilet block was built at the cost of more than 130,000 pounds. The architect was Mr K. Mooney, and the builder was Mr M.J. O’Leary, and the building, contained may up-to-date features such as brick partitions between classrooms for maximum sound proofing; public address speakers in each classroom; and wiring for tape recorders and video machines.
19th April, 1970
In January, 120 Boys had moved into the Marcellin College which had been built on the original O.L.A. grounds. The official blessing and opening of the College by Archbishop O’Donnell now took place. The new College buildings were sited between the new O.L.A. building and the original school building (1919) which was still standing. The original building stood beyond the playground used by Marcellin pupils and continued in use until growing numbers of Marcellin students overtaxed the new College.
1973
Although Marcellin College had been extended in 1972 to cater for growing primary numbers, the arrival of a secondary grade level in 1973 made evident the need for further building to accommodate secondary classed.
The decision was made to demolish the original O.L.A. school building of 1919 to make way for further building on the Marcellin site. And this was done.
A second wing of the new O.L.A. school, the one closest to Hurdcotte Street was now built. At first only the ground floor was completed for use by the Grade 2’s and Library (in the current A-V room). A second story was added later and now consists of the Library and two classrooms. At the time too, the original presbytery (which had, after 1931 served as the home of Mrs O’Mara) stood at the end of the new wing, and was used for art and craft rooms by Enoggera pupils. This housed also has since been demolished.
29th January, 1975
The new administration block of the school was completed, ready for use for the year. The administration block was completed in two stages, with the second half (the staff room end) added some years after the first half, (the secretarial section).
26th May, 1975
Renovations to the Convent were commenced and completed by the 8th December, when an Open House for all the Brisbane Sisters of the Good Samaritan was held.
April 5th to May, 1982
Repairs to the Convent were carried out.
Late 1992
Internal renovations to the original section of the Administration block were completed.
This completed the history of the major constructions of Our Lady of the Assumption School up to the present. Further development took place on the Marcellin College section of the original Shine Hill property, and has continued since the transition of that College to Mt Maria Junior Secondary College.
The “Shine Hill” site has thus developed into a significant centre for primary and early secondary education, and with the nearby Mt Maria Senior College and the campus of the Australian Catholic University at Mitchelton forms and impressive complex of Catholic Education Institutions.