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

Teacher, administrator, pastor; born Perth, Western Australia, 3 June 1947; died Sydney 18 February 2018, aged 71.

Anthony Victor Smith was educated at St Louis School, Perth, and entered the Society at Loyola College, Watsonia, 24 February 1965. After philosophy, 1967-69, he undertook tertiary studies in Arts at the University of Western Australia, 1970-72, while living at St Louis School. Regency was at Riverview, 1973-74, teaching middle school English, and religion as well as senior history. He was also third division prefect.

Theology followed at the Jesuit Theological College, Parkville, 1975-78, and he was ordained at St Louis School, 3 December 1977, by Archbishop Sir Launcelot Goody. Tertianship was at Canisius College, 1983, directed by Father Gerald Coleman, and he was professed, 22 April 1986.

After theology, Smith was assigned to Riverview where he was a division prefect and taught religion and English, 1979-82. He undertook further studies in educational administration at Fordham University, New York, 1984, while also doing an internship at Xavier High School, Cincinnati, Ohio.

He returned to Australia and St Aloysius' College, Milsons Point, in 1985, initially teaching religion and history, and subsequently appointed headmaster from 1986 until 2003, a college he led with unfailing enthusiasm, dedication and vision, a man of action. At the provincial's request, Smith formed the Aloysius School council in 1993, and undertook college development. The Wyalla project provided modern facilities for senior students and an indoor pool, while the acquisition of the former Milsons Point public school provided a new Junior School. After much debate with the local council, as well as concern from residents, Smith linked Wyalla and the main school with an overhead bridge. He also commissioned a school history that appeared as The College by the Harbour.

Within the school, he built a new Art Centre, as well as a music and pastoral centre. The Stephen Moore stained-glass windows in the Chapel, as well as the Stations of the Cross, and the Letourneau grand organ were his inspiration and legacy. Smith was not deterred by raising the Aboriginal flag in 1988 alongside the Australian flag, despite current criticism and backlash. It was a statement about recognition of Aboriginal rights. At the pastoral level he introduced the tutor group system, peer mediation and peer support. He also coached rugby and basketball. Michael O'Dea remembered Smith's attitude of treating everyone with equal dignity, accepting the different roles that people shared in the community. He was respected by staff and students, despite being quite opiniated and stubborn.

At one stage, Smith, together with other Jesuits, went to Wagga to help Archbishop Carroll set up a renewal programme called 'Together in Prayer'. He, and other Jesuits supplied at weekends in various parishes so that the priests could participate in an eight-day retreat. During this time Smith made new friends who appreciated his presence and ability to communicate. He regularly visited Wagga in following years.

Parish ministry followed as parish priest at St Mary's, North Sydney, from 2004-2012. After consultations, the name of the parish of three churches was renamed Our Lady of the Way parish. He worked well with the parish finance committee. In 2006 a planning committee was established to formulate a strategic plan for the parish, with Smith the unifier of all the stakeholders. Issues raised were the future of the priests' residence, the need for a gathering space for parishioners at the Star of the Sea church, a renovated hall, better car parking access and other improvements at Francis Xavier church were also identified. The Marist Brothers moved to a new residence in Carlow Street, allowing for the building of the Ron Dyer Centre for all parish activities, with underground parking. Smith had a gift of bringing people together, sharing and enjoying friendship, not the least with his 'Father Tony's lunch' on Christmas Day for those who had nowhere to celebrate.

As his health declined with A level diabetes, he resided at Riverview, 2013-2014, with chaplaincy duties, but was admitted to St Paul's Residential Care, Northbridge from 2015. Here he said Mass for the residents, and offered the Eucharist, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick to anyone who asked. He was a welcome counsellor and died suddenly one Sunday afternoon after a pleasant outing with friends.

In her eulogy at Smith's requiem, his friend Kay Hooper spoke about Smith's capacity for 'friendship, love and caring'. He was always ready in a crisis, a family concern, or other people in need, and frequently officiated at weddings, baptisms, or visiting the sick and dying. In his pastoral visitations he made people at ease. He encouraged people and was a down-to-earth person that made it easy for him to connect with a wide variety of people. People remembered his frequent phrases in conversation: 'I got to tell you', at some stage, and an ending of 'good on you', or 'excellent', when praising someone or an idea.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)