Hardworking Lockington couple, Mary and Frank Dullard, were determined to give their nine children a good education. In doing so, they have helped three of their offspring, educators Cate, Paul and Frank, to give thousands of children in various parts of the Sandhurst Diocese a combined 120 years of a very good education. Their daughter, Cate Fraser (nee Dullard) shares the story of this Principal Trifecta.
By Cate Fraser
Siblings Catherine Fraser, Paul Dullard and Frank Dullard are all principals of Catholic primary school in the Diocese of Sandhurst. The instance of three principals from one family working in Catholic Education Sandhurst has never occurred before and will probably not occur again.
Cate, Paul and Frank have led their school communities through many changes in curriculum and educational initiatives. They have managed building projects through various funding agreements and have supported their communities through good and not-so-good times.
Frank, the youngest of the three, was the first to become a school principal. He was Deputy Principal at St Mary’s Primary School, Swan Hill before beginning his principalship at St Mary’s Inglewood in 2000. Frank then moved to St Liborius’ Primary School in Eaglehawk in 2010. He will start work as the Executive Deputy Principal at Catherine McCauley College, Bendigo in 2024.
Cate was Deputy Principal at Sacred Heart Primary School, Tatura before becoming principal at St Mary’s Rushworth in 2009. St Mary’s Rushworth was Cate’s graduate school and Rushworth was where she met her husband, Simon. Her children all attended St Mary’s Rushworth before moving to Notre Dame College, Shepparton for their secondary schooling.
Paul taught at St Monica’s Wodonga, St Francis of the Fields, Strathfieldsaye and worked as an Education Officer for Catholic Education Sandhurst prior to starting his principalship at Holy
Rosary Primary School, Heathcote in 2017.
The nine Dullard siblings, (Gerald, Catherine, Bernard, Margaret, James, Kieran, Leo, Paul and Frank) grew up on Dullard Road, Pine Grove East. Their parents, Mary and Frank Dullard were hardworking and loved members of the Pine Grove East and Lockington communities.
Frank and Mary moved from retirement in Lockington to Cunningham Downs Aged Care Facility in 2017. Frank died in 2018 only 2months after his 90th birthday and Mary still lives at Wharparilla Lodge, at the age of 94.
Frank and Mary’s legacy to their family was to give their children a good education. All of their nine children have served in leadership roles in their respective professions – their parents’ determination has certainly paid off.
As 2024 approaches, Cate is preparing to retire from her role in education after 48 years and move into a Marriage and Funeral Celebrant role, while enjoying her ever growing family. Paul will continue to capably lead Holy Rosary Primary School in Heathcote and Frank has accepted a role at Catherine McCauley College Bendigo as the Executive Deputy Principal. Thus, the Principal partnership in the Dullard family will come to an end.
Note: Cate, Frank and Paul's father, Frank Dullard, is the first cousin of Fr Joe Taylor's mother.
