Robert Dunne, 1830-1917: Archbishop of Brisbane

Ostracised by his church and criticised by his clergy, the redoubtable Robert Dunne was an archbishop out of step with his times.By his solid scholarship and his ability as a writer Dr. Dunne rendered important services as secretary to the Plenary Council of Australasia held in Sydney in 1885. At the request of that council, Queensland was in 1887 created a separate ecclesiastical province, with Brisbane as its metropolitan see; and the Provicariate of North Queensland was erected into the Vicariate-Apostolic of Cooktown. The present stately archiepiscopal residence in Brisbane was built during Dr. Dunne’s visit ad limina in 1890, and presented to him on his return. His episcopate has been fruitful in church- and school-extension, and general progress.