Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, p 65:

Collender, Richard, Rt. Rev., V.G., Irish, Diamond Jubilarian
Esteemed Sydney Nonagenarian
There must still be a good number of priests around who will recall that 'Old Dick' was a mighty power in diocesan affairs. The writer greatly feared his beady eyes as he sat across the table on the exam board at Manly College. But all will concede that despite the awe and fear in which he was held he was a priest with a great record from the days of Moran to Gilroy - being at the zenith of zeal and power in the days of Archbishop Michael Kelly. The fact that he came from County Waterford ensured that he had a good start in the climb to clerical fame; but the Lord also must have smiled when he conceded what is given to few others (prescinding from Mgr. Flanagan in Mudgee) sixty-years in the ministry . He was the joy and pride of those interested in the careers of All Hallows old boy priests and in the A.H. Annual of 1957 the researcher can find out more about R.C. Ordination was conferred in February 1892 by Bishop McGoldrich of Duluth, U.S.A., and Richard arrived in mid year beginning his long career at St. Francis', Haymarket. He stayed there until the following year and was then appointed to Lewisham. The Directories indicate a stay until 1896. From 1896 to 1904 he was away from the bustling city in the easy-going country town of Queanbeyan. A long stay at Surry Hills from 1904 to 1931 was fruitful in achievement - the building of a parish church and the introduction of the De La Salle Brothers. Archbishop Kelly deemed that after showing his zeal and competency in an inner suburban parish, Woollahra was a fair reward. And so from 1931 to 1958 the zeal and might were displayed at the Holy Cross Church, built under his direction and opened in 1940. Obtaining parishes like Woollahra were important to incumbents "in diebus illis". Today with industrialisation largely spoiling the very nature of Sydney parishes, the pace for the incumbency of 'plum-pie' parishes has slackened to a walk. The aged pastor with a stout record behind him might well be looking (as many are) for a quiet Convent chaplaincy, or say for back waters where life's tempo is not as fast. But this is somewhat like reverie! ... Collender was a mighty power in diocesan affairs for many years. He was made a Monsignor in 1941 and later carried the honour and burdens of Vicar General. Apart from his sphere of examining students at Manly, he was on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Press - being much involved in the merger of the 'Freemans' and the 'Press' into the 'Catholic Weekly' in 1942. Death came to the nonagenarian on 11 June 1958, and the place of repose is Rookwood.
(Footprints, Vol. 2, No. 8)
Ref.: St. Mary's Archives, Sydney, & All Hallows Annual 1957.