Opening of Veritas Building
On 21 February 2018, a new building on the Signadou ACU campus, was opened by the Chancellor The Hon John Fahey and blessed by Archbishop Christopher Prowse. It will be known as the Veritas building, to acknowledge the contribution of the Dominican Sisters to the University, and to remember the presence of the Dominican Fathers at Blackfriars.
The Opening Ceremony began in the upstairs lecture theatre with a Welcome to Ngunawai country and it ended with a Smoking Ceremony outside the front entrance, conducted by a Wirradjuri group.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Greg Craven, noted that the name was suggested by Sr Rosemary Lewins and supported by the Archbishop.
The Veritas Building is built between Blackfriars and Signadou buildings and is connected to them by covered walkways.
The building is two stories and has many glass walls letting in the light, and contains an auditorium, lecture rooms, student facilities and the relocated Lewins library.
At the launch thanks were expressed to the Dominican Sisters for their courage and foresight in establishing Signadou as a Teachers’ College. Former Principals who were present, Srs Pauline Riley and Rosemary Lewins were acknowledged for their leadership. The Dominican friars were represented by Fr Kieran Adams.
The Signadou Campus, ACT is an integral part of Australian Catholic University with an enrolment of more than 1,200 students in the four faculties of Education and Arts including Social Work; Law and Business; Health Sciences; and Theology and Philosophy.
The Campus Dean Associate Professor McArdle is to be thanked for his leadership of the Campus and respect for Dominican traditions.