This painting by George Brooke (date unknown) shows the grounds of Mount St Bernard prior to 1920 when construction of today's convent building began. The first house from the left is where the first Sisters of Mercy lived from 1910. The large house nearest the church to the right is the presbytery (priest's residence) where Fr. Bernard Doyle lived. The prominent building between them is the first classroom on this site. Also note that the church bell tower was behind St. Patrick's whereas now it is found at the front.

In March 1918 a cyclone crossed the coast at Innisfail and swept up the North Johnstone River Gorge to Herberton. Among other buildings around the area, the original timber Convent of Mercy was damaged beyond repair. The now urgent need for a new (and more robust) convent building likely added impetus to Fr. Bernard's vision for a boarding facility and high school and by 1919 works began on what we now have as the MSB Convent building. To this day, the location of that original timber convent is marked by the statue of Mary in the middle of the lawn in front of the convent.

The first intake of boarders for MSB was in March, 1921. The list of these first MSB students can be viewed by clicking here. As the Convent and boarding facility had not been completed by this stage, boarders were housed in the St. Patrick's School building after day-school operations had finished for the day.

The third intake of boarders was in May 1921. To view the list of these students, click here.

Historical sources suggest that Mercy Hall (aka, The Concert Hall) functioned as the first dedicated high school classroom at MSB until 1939 when a new "large three story building was erected" (Golden Jubilee Book, 1971). From 1939 up until the present it has functioned as a concert and recreation hall. It was not built in 1921 when classes at MSB begun but was built very shortly after. It seems that for a short period until it was built, high school classes were temporarily held in various spaces while the convent was being completed. The date it was named "Mercy Hall" has not yet been confirmed; but from historical sources and conversations with past students it seems the name Mercy Hall is relatively recent; being known as The Concert Hall for most of its history. The name Mercy Hall is in honour of the service of the Sisters of Mercy and seems to have been attributed at/after an occasion such as the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy in the diocese, or Sisters' gifting of the college to the diocese in 2006.

"On November 16th, 1924, death robbed Mt. St Bernard of a beloved Pastor, friend and benefactor, Rev. P. J. Doyle, O.S.A." (Golden Jubilee Book, 1971). So well-loved was Fr. Bernard that the funeral procession to Herberton cemetery was arranged to pass through the town and that "all business houses in the town, including hotels, closed their doors as the sad procession passed by." (Endicott, 1988, p 165). Not only Catholics, but non-Catholics alike held this pastor and benefactor of MSB in high esteem.

A tradition in many Mercy convents, a grotto commemorating Our Lady of Lourdes was erected in 1928 at the front of the convent building. The Lourdes grotto recalls a significant spiritual event in a place called Lourdes in France whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a peasant girl by the name of Bernadette. Mercy spirituality is influenced deeply by the example of Mary and so the grotto represents something of the heart of Mercy spirituality.

Like other schools around the region, the years of World War II saw sudden changes thrust upon college life at MSB: digging air-raid trenches, making one's own identification tags and hearing air-raid sirens - fear would have been pervasive at times. The influx of US military personnel who were stationed hereabouts, however, seemed to have made for quite the curiosity for MSB students as soldiers marched by, went about their work and attended Mass and other religious events at St. Patrick's church on the corner.

Click here to read some memories at MSB during the War Years by Sr. Mary of Mercy.

Co-builder of MSB, Mother M. Evangelist Morrissey, died on 10th April 1950. The Sisters' cemetery as we see it further up the hill had not yet been constructed and so Mother Morrissey (M. Evangelist) was laid to rest at the foot of the convent.

In 1952 the Kitchen Block and the Domestic Staff Quarters were extended and later the Tennis and Deck Tennis courts were laid. Much bull dozing and levelling converted the scrub lands to the north of the college into what is now the “Top Field” playing ground. The "Top Field" was roughly where the basketball courts are today. The tennis courts are still there to this day. "Top Field" (of old) is not to be mistaken with the "Top Oval" in current usage which is the subtantial sports oval further up the hill on the college property.

On the 22nd of September, 1962, the first sod turned in digging trenches for the new Chapel and Infirmary building. This construction necessitated the purchase of further land. On the 9th May, 1963, in an impressive ceremony, His Lordship Bishop Cahill consecrated the Chapel, which accommodates Sisters and students.

Owing to the decreasing number of day pupils, Grades One to Five inclusive were discontinued in 1970, and Grades Six to Seven were terminated in 1972. Because of the ever-increasing numbers of applications it had been decided that only Secondary students be accepted as boarders - this became effective in 1972.

In 1994, MSB attended the State Rock Eisteddfod competition for the first time. We won first place with the theme of "Anthony and Cleopatra". This event created much recognition for the college and a lot of excitement both for students and staff.

Continuing the MSB tradition for Music and Performing Arts, the Didge Kids group began in 2014 and showcased Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander music and dance. Led by Mr. Mark Lane, indigenous and non-indigenous students alike were welcome to participate. Some highlights over this time include:

2017: East Coast Tour of Catholic Schools and Dreamworld; Winton Outback Festival; 4th National Catholic Colloquium (Cairns); Reconciliation Day (Cairns); QLD Catholic Schools & Colleges Gold Award Winner (for 2 performances).

2018: Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony - Didgeridoo Orchestra.