Dear members of the Marist College Canberra community,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Mr Marshal McMahon (Br Joseph), who passed away peacefully on Friday 12 February 2021, with his wife Teresa by his side.
Marshal was the fourth Headmaster of Marist College Canberra and led our community from our first graduating class in 1975 to 1982. Br Joe, as he was affectionately known at the time, played a significant role in establishing a culture of high expectations during those critical foundation years. As Headmaster, he dominated College life, imprinting his character and personality. Marshal somehow knew every boy by first name including each boy’s parents and siblings. Marshal’s leadership and vision resulted in the College securing the playing fields running alongside Athllon Drive in 1980.
Marshal was a scholar and had a deep love of learning. He received the prestigious Fulbright scholarship and was responsible for introducing a learning support program at Marist to ensure no boy was left behind in his intellectual development. Boys were accustomed to his regular classroom visits where he often took over the class to check workbooks or enquire about a family member. His love for the classroom had him teaching Year 12 HSC Physics last year, aged 79, over zoom! McMahon House is named in his honour.
Marshal was a person of deep faith and action, a man of integrity, humility, sensitivity and great warmth. Like many of the great Marist Brothers and teachers before him, Marshal has left a significant legacy to the College. Our boys, staff, and the wider Marist Canberra community continue to benefit from his vision and his capacity to build a community where people want to belong.
I ask you to keep Marshal's wife Teresa and the extended McMahon family in your prayers.
May he rest in peace in the care of the God he loved so much, with our Mother Mary to whom he entrusted all he did.
Matthew Hutchison
Headmaster