Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, pp 117-118:
Fr William Hanley

William Hanley was born to William and Hanna (nee Fitzpatrick) Hanley of Aghinagh in the diocese of Cloyne on 7 February 1851. He entered All Hallows College in 1874 from Sées seminary in Normandy. He was ordained at All Hallows on 25 June 1877.(1) With 100 Irish migrants Fr Hanley embarked on the Sacara at Queenstown leaving on 26 August to arrive in Maryborough on the 14 December.(2)

Fr Hanley stayed in Maryborough to assist the young parish priest Fr Thomas O'Brien. Following Fr O'Brien's sudden death on 12 June 1878, Fr Hanley cared for the parish until the arrival of a new parish priest Fr John O'Reilly in March 1879.

Fr Denis Martin records the Chronicle's report of his transfer to Bundaberg in March 1879:

Father Hanley, curate in charge of St Mary's Catholic Church received marching orders to Bundaberg a day or two ago, on which occasion his congregations testified their love and respect for him by the presentation of a well-filled purse. There is, I have every reason to believe, no little dissatisfaction among the Catholic community at the sudden removal of this much-esteemed and hard-working priest, and some natural solicitude as to who shall be his successor.(3)

Fr Hanley spent some time in Bundaberg before moving to Rockhampton. In 1882 he was incardinated into the new diocese of Rockhampton. Early in 1883 he was transferred to Mackay. After two years in Mackay he was again farewelled:

Testimonial to the Rev Father Hanley
On Wednesday night last a number of Catholic gentlemen waited on the Rev W Hanley at the Presbytery to present him with an address and testimonial on behalf of the Catholics of Mackay and Walkerston prior to his leaving the district for Ravenswood.
Mr Glennon, on being called upon to read the addresses, expressed regret at the suddenness of the rev gentleman's departure, and stated that, owing to the limited time at their disposal, they were unable to make the testimonial such as they would wish it.(4)

A report in the local press records the farewell extended by parishioners of Mackay and Walkerston demonstrating the respect in which the people held him.

In March 1885 Fr Hanley moved to Ravenswood, some 90 kilometres from Charters Towers.

After the discovery of gold in 1868 through to the early 1900s, the township flourished and grew to nearly 5000 residents and boasted 48 Hotels. Several historic buildings remain from this period. Due to an industrial strike in 1912 and subsequently World War I by 1915 mining declined and the town was deserted.(5)

St Patrick's Catholic Church in Ravenswood was opened on 21 October 1871. Fr James P M Connolly who was the priest in charge of the Townsville mission officiated at the opening. The church had been enlarged prior to Fr Hanley's arrival. It was again enlarged in 1901. About 1980, when the town had only about 150 residents, Townsville diocese passed ownership of the property to the Dalrymple Shire Council. Restoration work on the building was carried out by the council and volunteers. Today this heritage listed building, designated as the Ravenswood community church, is one of the few early buildings still remaining in the town as a highlight for the many tourists visiting this historic town.

From Ravenswood Fr Hanley was transferred to Longreach. The report of his farewell from Longreach to Cloncurry in March, 1901 once again shows people's respect for him.(6)

One year into his time as parish priest of Cloncurry Fr William Hanley celebrated his silver jubilee of priesthood. The Croydon Record description of this event was published in the Charters Towers Evening Telegraph a week later.(7)

Due to health issues Father Hanley moved to the more amenable climate of the Lismore diocese. He was parish priest of Kempsey in that diocese when he died early in 1905.

Obituary
Rev Father William Hanley, Kempsey
The death is just announced of the Rev Father William Hanley, who passed away at the presbytery, West Kempsey, early on Thursday morning last. He went to Kempsey just over two years ago, having been compelled to seek a more genial climate that that afforded by Queensland, owing to his health breaking down. His last illness began a month ago. The news of his death was received with regret by all classes of the community, Catholics and Protestants alike, for the deceased priest had endeared himself to all by his kindly and chartable character. The late Father Hanley was born in County Cork, Ireland, 54 years ago, and came to Australia 29 years ago. For 27 years he laboured in Queensland, being stationed at Maryborough, Cloncurry and Longreach. He left Queensland with a splendid record of good work done, and one of the most notable features in his life during his stay in northern State was the esteem in which he was held by all classes and all denominations. During the time he was in charge of Kempsey parish, he succeeded in considerably reducing the debt. The funeral took place on Friday, and was very largely attended. RIP (8)

Footnotes
1. Kevin Condon cm, The Missionary College of All Hallows 1842-1891, 1986, student number 1361, p. 341.
2. Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, 18 Dec 1877, p. 2.
3. Denis W Martin, St Marys Parish Maryborough 1861-2011, p. 33.
4. Mackay Mercury and South Kennedy Advertiser, 7 March, 1885, p. 2.
5. Wikipedia 2016.
6. The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts, Barcaldine, 5 March 1901, p. 12.
7. The Evening Telegraph, Charters Towers, 19 Jul, 1902, p. 2.
8. The Catholic Press, Sydney, 12 Jan, 1905, p. 26.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.