Fr John Neill op

Fr John Neill op
Sydney Campus Chaplain

B.Ed. (Flinders)

Fr John was born in Randwick New South Wales on 15 May 1932 and was schooled by the Brigidine Sisters and the Marist Brothers. He entered the Dominican Novitiate in 1955 and was ordained a priest in 1960.

He has held various roles within Catholic education throughout Australia, including the Headmaster of Blackfriars Priory School in Adelaide, Chairman of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, Members of the National Catholic Education Commission. Fr John was also a Member of the Company and the Senate of Australian Catholic University.

In 1988 Fr John was appointed as the Director of The University of Notre Dame Australia Planning Office – the first employee of the University.

In 1990 he was elected Prior of St Dominic’s Priory in Melbourne and in 2001 he moved to Sydney and took on the role as the Superior of the local community. At this time he was employed as a member of the spirituality team for the Sydney Archdiocese Catholic Education Office.

In March 2005, Fr John was appointed Parish Priest of St Benedict’s Church Broadway and Campus Chaplain of The University of Notre Dame Australia. In June 2006, the University awarded Fr John an Honorary Doctorate of Laws for his service to Catholic education throughout Australia.