Place Names Register Extract

O'Loughlin Catholic College

Extract date: 24/08/2025

Name O'Loughlin Catholic College
Type Designation College
Place Id 22629
Place Type Infrastructure
Status Recorded
Date Registered
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -12° 23' S (Decimal degrees -12.393368)
Longitude: 130° 54' E (Decimal degrees 130.910455)
Locality / Suburb  
  Karama
Local Government Area  
  Darwin City Council
History/Origin O'Loughlin Catholic College in Karama was named in memory of Bishop O'Loughlin's commitment and achievement for catholic education in the Territory.

Rev John Patrick O'Loughlin was born in 1911. He worked in a missionary in New Guinea prior to becoming Bishop of Darwin in 1949 until 1985. Over this time, he had a major role in expanding the Church throughout the Northern Territory.

Bishop O'Loughlin established numerous Parishes including Tennant Creek in 1953, Katherine and Nightcliff in 1969, Nhulunbuy, Casuarina and Jabiru in 1981, and Sanderson in 1982. He was also the authority for building the current St Mary's Star of Sea Cathedral in Darwin between 1958 and 1962.

Bishop O'Loughlin was committed to catholic education in the Territory and opened many schools. These included St Francis Xavier Catholic School in Daly River, Fannie Bay (now closed), St Paul's Catholic Primary School in Rapid Creek, St John's Catholic College in The Gardens, Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School in Casuarina, Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Karama and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College in Alice Springs.

Bishop O'Loughlin passed away while in office in 1985 and was interred in the crypt of St Mary's Cathedral.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
  (None Found)  

The Northern Territory Gazetteer is maintained by the Place Names Section,
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.
GPO Box 1680, Darwin NT 0801. Ph 08 8995 5333.
place.names@nt.gov.au

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