Star of the Sea
“Inspired by the Gospels and nourished by the Eucharist we endeavour to express the healing and apostolic benefits of practising our faith.”
Star of the Sea Parish South-West Coast is a Roman Catholic Parish located in South Western Victoria. Star of the Sea Parish is part of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat and was established as a Parish on Friday 1st October 2021 by formal Decree issued by Bishop Paul Bird CSsR.
Star of the Sea Parish comprises the former parishes of Port Fairy (est. 1849), Warrnambool (est. 1853), Koroit (est. 1886), Dennington (est. 1965) and Warrnambool West (est. 1970).
On Friday July 1st 2022 a further Decree was issued by Bishop Paul Bird CSsR uniting the former Warrnambool East Parish (est. 1973) with the Parish of Star of the Sea South-West Coast.
Meet the Team
-
![]()
Fr John Fitzgerald
PARISH PRIEST
-
![]()
Karen Johnson
OFFICE MANAGER
-
![]()
Louise Dryburgh
ACCOUNTS MANAGER
-
![]()
Pat Negri
PAISH MAINTENANCE MANAGER
-
![]()
Trisha McGinness
PARISH SECRETARY
-
![]()
Virginia Martin
PARISH SECRETARY
Star of the Sea Parish is managed from our offices at 169 Kepler Street in Warrnambool by a dedicated team committed to furthering the mission of the Church throughout the South-West Coast.
Parish Pastoral Council Members
Tim Keane (Chair) Maryanne Evans (Deputy Chair) Gabrielle Ewing (Secretary)
Dennis Farley
Olga Lyons
Roger Cussen
Crissy Clarke
Parish Finance Council Members
Chris Kol (Chair)
Dennis Farley
Damien Gleeson
Stephen Callaghan
Karen Johnson
Chris Nolan
Brendan Howard
Patrick Lane
Our Churches
-
![]()
St Joseph's
St Joseph's Church in Warrnambool completed in 1889, stands at the corner of Raglan Parade, Kepler Street, and Lava Street. The Church is open weekdays from 9am-4pm, Sundays 9:30am-7pm.
-
![]()
Infant Jesus
Infant Jesus Church Koroit dedicated in 1867, is located at 18 Queen Street Koroit. Infant Jesus is open each Sunday from 8:30am-10:30am.
-
![]()
St Patrick's
St Patrick's Church consecrated in 1861 joined Star of the Sea Parish in 2021. Located at 487 Princes Hwy, St Patrick’s Church is open each Tuesday from 8am-11am and Sunday 9:30am-12:30pm.
-
![]()
St Anne's
St Anne's Church in Purnim, originally built before 1863 remains even still a key place of worship for Purnim's Catholics. It is open Sundays, 10am-12pm, on the Hopkins Highway.
-
![]()
Our Lady Help of Christians
Officially completed in 1973 the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians is located at 2 Selby Road in Warrnambool’s East. Our’s Lady’s joined the parish of Star of the Sea in 2022. The Church is open each day from 9am-5pm.
-
![]()
St Pius X
St Pius X Church built in 1984 stands at 78 Morriss Road in Warrnambool’s West, entering the parish of Star of the Sea in 2021. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel attached to St Pius X is open 24 hours a day. The Church is open 8am-11am on a Sunday morning.
Our Schools
-
![]()
St Joseph's Parish Primary School, Warrnambool
70 Botanic Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Principal: Mr Matthew O'Brien
Phone Number: (03) 5561 1343 -
![]()
Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Primary School, Warrnambool East
28 Selby Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Principal: Mr Stephen Madden
Phone Number: (03) 5562 5559 -
![]()
St Pius X Parish Primary School, Warrnambool West
32 Hoddle St, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Principal: Mr Nicholas Murrell
Phone Number: (03) 5562 2506 -
![]()
St John the Baptist Parish Primary School, Dennington
263 Russell St, Dennington VIC 3280
Principal: Mr Ben Van de Camp
Phone Number: (03) 5562 5362 -
![]()
St Patrick's Parish Primary School, Port Fairy
9 William St, Port Fairy VIC 3284
Principal: Mrs Olga Lyons
Phone Number: (03) 5568 1371 -
![]()
St Patrick's Parish Primary School, Koroit
20 Queen St, Koroit VIC 3282
Principal: Ms Tegan McDonald
Phone Number: (03) 5565 8208 -
![]()
Emmanuel College, Warrnambool
140 Botanic Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Principal: Mr Peter Morgan
Phone Number: (03) 5560 0888
