Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Head, Michael Austin

Archivist, writer, teacher, administrator, pastor; born Melbourne, 28 January 1948; died Melbourne, 15 October 2024, aged 76.

Head's family were very ecumenical. His father Anglican, his mother reconverted to Catholic, his sister took up the Jewish faith when married. He was born in Melbourne and educated by Jesuits at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne (1958-66). In 1967, Head worked in the taxation office for a few months before entering the Jesuits. Head was one of many Old Patricians who entered the Society of Jesus. He did so at Loyola College, Watsonia on 12 June 1967 as a brother postulant and took his vows as a brother on 28 December 1969. Thereafter his focus was on teaching and education. He obtained a Diploma of Teaching, studied Social Sciences and History at La Trobe University, 1973-74, and obtained the postgraduate Bachelor of Education degree. Concurrently he fulfilled roles at Burke Hall and Xavier College, Kew, where he also taught religion, geography and Latin, 1976-77. While at the latter his desire for priesthood grew, so that in 1978 he moved to Jesuit Theological College, Parkville, to study Philosophy and Theology, leading to priestly ordination on 29 November 1980 at Hawthorn parish, by Bishop Eric Perkins.

As a priest, Head was a notable contributor to the tertiary apostolate and the schools' apostolate. He served as Rector, Acting Rector or Vice-Rector in three university residential colleges – Newman in Melbourne, St Leo's in Brisbane and Aquinas in Adelaide, its last rector. Upon hearing of his death, St Leo's commented that Head had made significant contributions that shaped the College's mission and values. His commitment to education, spiritual growth and community service inspired both residents and staff alike. While at Aquinas, he published a history of the college, as well as a history of St Patrick's College, East Melbourne, More than a School, co-authored with Fr Gerry Healy SJ, and was remembered as a passionate historian, a man of wit and humour, and a warm and unassuming human being.

After Xavier College, Head also taught in three more Jesuit schools – Riverview in Sydney, 1984-87, teaching religion, history and geography as well as being First Division Prefect, Athelstone in Adelaide, 1992-96, and St Aloysius' in Sydney, 2001-02, serving for a time as Rector in the latter two. With his fount of stories and shrewd judgement, he proved to be a captivating teacher. Whether in a secondary or a tertiary context, he always developed a strong rapport with the students.

It was increasing deafness that forced him to leave a ministry that he loved and in which he excelled, and move to Jesuit Theological College, Parkville, in 2004 to be Vice-Rector, Minister and for a time director of pastoral formation and of regents. He was essential to the functioning of this important community for twelve years. During that time, he had the difficult role of provincial delegate for professional standards for four years. After serving a brief apprenticeship with Fr Tom Daly SJ, Head assumed the role of province archivist in 2005, a role that he held until his death and which he fulfilled with great distinction. It enabled him to do much to preserve the legacy of the province and to prepare histories of St Leo's College and of our parishes at Richmond and Hawthorn in Melbourne. During 2015-2016, when the province was celebrating the sesquicentenary of the Irish Mission to Australia and then of the Richmond Mission the Irish established, he was in demand for public talks on our history, likewise for the centenary of Jesuit presence in Brisbane. He contributed valuable historical articles to Jesuit magazines and enabled Fr David Strong SJ to supplement the second edition of his Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography with brief portraits of Jesuits who had spent some time in Australia before moving elsewhere. His hospitality to researchers at the province archives drew international recognition. Head's expertise also embraced naval and military matters, leading him to publish articles in those areas in international journals. He was a renowned expert on the White Russian campaign after WW1.Even though his alma mater closed in 1968, he remained loyal to the St Patrick's Old Collegians' Association, supporting them and keeping them involved in the province. His involvement with the Old Patricians as committee member and secretary was much valued by its members. Head's final appointment was as superior at Campion House, Kew, where he looked after a community of active and retired Jesuits and diligently visited those in aged care or hospital. He was a creature of habit: you could set your clock by him. His humour and conviviality enlivened any gathering. Even though his knowledge and memory were remarkable, he never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Ill health overtook him in his final year. He had a great love of the Church, the Society and the province, which he did so much to promote and served so faithfully.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)