Tom Hazell, Fr. John Keaney and the Diocesan Historical Commission, Footprints, Melbourne, Volume 8, Number 2, June 1991, pp 5-6:

On the 25th April, 1969, a small group of people assembled in the St. Patrick's Cathedral presbytery, at the invitation of the Archbishop, Most Rev. J.R. Knox, and the Melbourne Diocesan Historical Commission was formed. The Archbishop was insistent that it was a Commission which he wished to establish, not an Historical Society, and that it should have clear and precise aims: the collection and assessment of documents and memorabilia relating to the Catholic history of Victoria and the eventual establishment of a Diocesan Museum. Father John Keaney was appointed Chairman of the newly formed body and how well he guided it is a matter for public record. In the words of His Grace The Archbishop, Most Rev. Frank Little, it was he who made it happen, who planned it, who sweated and slaved for it, who inspired others to join in the enterprise, who steered it in a way which has brought what it has done to gain the esteem of distinguished people in the field of history and beyond.

Father John Keaney ls a modest and self-effacing man who undoubtedly feels somewhat diffident when confronted with well-earned praise. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to work with him are only too aware of all that he has done for Catholic Victoria. Father Keaney would say that he has been only the leader of a team but that team owes everything to him and has always appreciated his wise and kindly leadership. He has the ability to work quietly towards achieving his goal and the first of these occasions was the opening, in November 1976, of the James Alipius Goold Museum and Diocesan Historical Archives in the fine terrace house in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. The enterprise has grown in leaps and bounds. The Museum and Archives is quite properly considered to be one of the foremost resource centres of its kind in Australia and, indeed, of international standing for the quality of its holdings. All of this was achieved when Father Keaney was also a busy Parish Priest in the Archdiocese.

In November, last year, Father Keaney offered his resignation as Chairman of the Commission. In reluctantly accepting this gesture, the Archbishop appointed him Emeritus Chairman and expressed his warm thanks for all that he had done to bring an enthusiasm to all things historical. As has been his habit for more than twenty years, John Keaney still attends at the Commission every day. His knowledge and research are eagerly availed of by the many workers and visitors to Brunswick Street. We who know him and appreciate his friendship are grateful for his vision and counsel. It is not only the Brunswick Street centre which is John Keaney's monument but, also, the awakened awareness of our Catholic past and the many scholarly works produced as a result of researches at the Museum and the Historical Repository.

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Australian Dictionary of Biography entry: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/keaney-john-anthony-16259