EDUCATION
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An educator of generations, he had a vision for the community that was ahead of its time.
Father Donnelly passed away on Wednesday, January 23.
Former high school principal and parishioner, Jim O’Brien said Father Donnelly's vision of education in Port Macquarie was decades ahead of its time.
"I worked in partnership with Father Leo Donnelly for 40 years, 29 of those as coordinating principal of Catholic secondary schools," he said.
"When describing him it’s hard not to use superlatives but he was a fantastic priest, an outstanding leader and a remarkable person - a dear friend and (his passing) a huge loss to the whole community.
"He had a vision for improvement of the whole community and seeing where it was most needed."
Mr O'Brien said Father Donnelly stepped in to help wherever there was a need, but held a special significance for practical study and training.
"Newman Senior Technical College was his great love, it was his vision, his idea to give kids a more practical and technical future in years 11 and 12, providing a big portion of the trades in town," he said.
"He appointed and expected you to do a good job with trust and support, he gave resources and support to do that.
"His contribution to this town has been remarkable in early childhood, youth, unemployed, disabilities and aged care - he created the services and I think the whole community owes a debt of gratitude."
John McQueen, a principal at St Joseph's Vocational College for 13 years, said Father Donnelly had started the site with 38 students in 1979 and seen it grow to over 350.
"When he started it there was nothing like it in Australia – he saw a real need (for skills training) and did something about it," he said.
"He could see traditional education was there but it was not catering for 50 per cent of people doing the Higher School Certificate.
"He wanted a curriculum of skills, it was very pioneering for the time - his talent was transformational leadership with positive determination.
"In the educational sector he saw a need, the land, made sure it could be paid for and had government grants to fulfil the need."