To Correspondents, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 12 May 1855, p 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115556024:

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of remittances from the following parties — viz., Messrs. F. O'Mearie, Tumut, P. Murphy, Kyneton, Victoria, J. Malony, Bathurst, J. McCann, Tambaroora, and the Rev. P. Smyth, Ballaarat.

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Mining Intelligence. Ballarat, The Age, Melbourne, 2 April 1856, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154860488:

Meeting.—Last evening a public meeting was held in the Catholic Chapel, for the purpose of nominating a candidate to be proposed on Saturday next at the election of a member to the Local Court, in the room of Mr Wall, resigned. The Rev Patrick Smyth was unanimously called on to preside, and the meeting was addressed by Messrs Miskelly, Curtain, Harrington, Conor, Ryan, Coleman, and O'Meara. — Mr O'Meara, the candidate, addressed the meeting, and pledged himself, if returned, to do his best to protect, cherish, and advance the interests of his constituents. He was heartily applauded, and a resolution was passed by acclamation, pledging the meeting to support him.—Mr O'Meara is an old miner on Ballarat, and is very much respected by his comrades. He is an excellent young man, and is certain to be elected. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Rev Mr Smyth for his impartial conduct in the chair, and the meeting separated.

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Opening of the New Roman Catholic Church, Castlemaine, The Age, Melbourne, 15 January 1858, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154855934:

The new Roman Catholic Church, Castlemaine, was opened on Sunday last by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Melbourne, assisted by the Rev. Dr. McEvoy, of Melbourne, and the Rev. Patrick Smyth, of Castlemaine. The ceremony of the consecration was conducted with the grandeur and solemnity peculiar to the Roman Catholic Church. The new church is named after the "blessed virgin," to whom it is especially dedicated.

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Advertising, Mount Alexander Mail, 27 August 1858, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article199046851:

St. Mary's Orphanage, Castlemaine. Established 15th August, 1858. Chaplain Rev. P. Smyth, Trustees Rev. P. Smyth [...]

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Married, Mount Alexander Mail, 24 June 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197443990:

Dunne—Slattery.- On the 8th inst., at St. Mary's Church, Castlemaine, by the Rev. P. Smyth, Catholic Administrator, Joseph Henry Dunne, Esq., Crown Prosecutor, to Lizzie Mary, youngest daughter of the late Laurence Slattery, Esq., Nenagh, County of Tipperary, Ireland.

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Marriages, The Herald, Melbourne, 13 July 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247591802:

O'Connor—Bourke.— On the 12th July, at St. James's, Richmond, by the Rev. P. Smyth, Jane, the second youngest daughter of Michael Bourke, Old Bridge, Limerick, to William O'Connor, of New Zealand.

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Notes and News, South Bourke Standard, Melbourne, 29 September 1865, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66906630:

The Rev. P. Smyth, of Richmond, left by the Wonga Wonga steamer, on Friday last, for Sydney, where he, it is hoped, may recover his health, shattered by thirteen years' active missionary duties in this colony.

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Deaths, The Argus, Melbourne, 17 October 1865, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5782079:

Smyth.—On the 14th inst., at the residence of J. Mooney, Esq., Maryville, Sydney, the Rev. Patrick Smyth of Richmond, Victoria. R.I.P.

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The Ballarat Star, 17 October 1865, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112879708:

Our Melbourne correspondent writes:—"The Rev. P. Smyth, Catholic clergyman, who officiated in Ballarat during the period of the riots, and who since that time has been stationed in Richmond, died last Saturday in Sydney. The reverend gentleman, whose health has for some time past been in a precarious condition, went to Sydney in the hope that a change of climate would benefit him. By all who knew him his death will be greatly felt. Besides being a warm-hearted friend, and an able exponent of the doctrines of the church to which he belonged, he endeared himself to all who knew him through his kindness and benevolence."

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Notes and News, South Bourke Standard, Melbourne, 20 October 1865, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66906688:

We regret having to announce the death of the Rev. Patrick Smyth, at Sydney, where he went for the purpose of recruiting his shattered health. We have seen notices laudatory of his character and reputation during his thirteen years' ministration of the gospel in Victoria, in the Beechworth, Ballarat, Castlemaine, Richmond, and other country journals; and we believe that had he been spared to continue his sacerdotal functions, his urbanity of disposition, freedom from sectarian intolerance, and his other good and sterling qualities, would have further endeared him to those who lament his loss. The Rev. Mr. Parle now attends to Richmond, Hawthorn, and Nunawading.

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Obituary. The Late Rev. P. Smyth, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 21 October 1865, p 658, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115451155:

It is with very deep regret that we have to announce the death of the Rev. P. Smyth late of Castlemaine, who expired on Saturday last at the residence of Mr. Mooney Botany-street. The Reverend Gentleman was a native of the County Mayo, Ireland, was 41 years of age, and went through his studies in the Royal College of Maynooth. Shortly after his ordination he set sail for Victoria and on his arrival there Bishop Goold appointed him to the important mission of Castlemaine. Here for ten years he has laboured with the greatest zeal for the spiritual benefit of the Catholics who gathered upon that important gold field, but like too many others his health began to give way and symptoms of that fatal malady consumption displayed themselves. Medical aid was of no avail, and as a last resource he was advised to try a change of air to the more genial climate of Sydney. Accordingly in company with the Very Rev. Dr. Forrest he came to Sydney about three week ago. But it was too late, the insidious disease had made such a hold of him that he gradually grew weaker, and his clerical friends who incessantly remained with him saw that all hopes was vanished and that death was gradually but surely approaching. The reverend patient was fully aware that his hours were numbered on this side of the grave, and he prepared himself for the last awful moment. He received all the holy rites of the church, always so consoling to a dying Catholic, but more especially to the dying priest, and surrounded by several of his fellow priests who were kneeling in prayer around his death bed, he calmly breathed his last. On Sunday his remains were removed to the Sacred Heart Church where, in the evening a solemn dirge was chanted at which the following clergy were present, the Very Rev. the Vicar-General, Rev. Fathers Forde, McAuliff, McCarthy, Quirk and Coll. On Monday morning a solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Vicar-General at which the following clergy, besides those who were at the dirge the previous evening were present, Fathers Dwyer, Slattery, O'Reilly and O'Farrell. After the last absolution the remains were conveyed to the Catholic cemetery Petersham, where, in the spot reserved for the burial of the clergy at the rere of the altar, they were consigned to their last resting place. The officers of the Catholic Young Men's Society joined in the funeral procession and acted as pall-bearers. Requiescat in Peace.

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The Late Father Smyth, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 28 October 1865, p 681, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115452065:

The Rev. Patrick Smyth, whose death in our city we recently recorded, was a venerated priest of the diocese of Victoria, or rather Melbourne. The arduous labours which devolved upon him during a period of thirteen years of active missionary exertions were too much even for his powerful constitution, and he succumbed to that subtle disease consumption, which has in our favored clime proved so fatal to many. He was a native of Ballina, diocese of Killala, County of Mayo, Ireland, and no truer or more devoted Irishman ever left the shores of Innisfail to propagate the Faith of St. Patrick. No Catholic ever came within the sphere of his influence, nor did any other individual of whatsoever creed or country ever come in contact with him, without experiencing and feeling that in him were found the instincts, the simplicity and the fervour of the noblest of characters—the true Irish Catholic priest. Direct, plain, practical, without subtlety or care for the empty show and reality of many of the world's devotees, he was beloved by those entrusted to his pastoral care in various parts of the colony, he was esteemed by all classes and he possessed the confidence of his fellow-labourers in Christ's Vineyard; because of his prudence, judgment and obedience to authority. We are not writing a panegyric but simply the truth due to the memory of a pious good priest who, like so many hundreds of others in our own time, left Ireland with a courageous zeal to watch over and cherish the Catholic Faith in its undoubted missionaries throughout the known world, the faithful children of the Irish Soil.

Father Smyth entered Maynooth in that famous year (1845) in which was inaugurated Sir Robert Peel's new ideas about the better Government of Ireland: and one of the results of which was the Endowment of the "Royal College of Saint Patrick, Maynooth." For seven years he studied there with distinction and success, until moved by the strong appeal made by the present pious Bishop of Melbourne he left home, country, and friends to inculcate in a foreign land the teachings of the Gospel he learnt so well, and in doing so he pointed to a better world and led the way. Many of his old fellow-students have followed to Australia; and they, while deploring the earthly separation—remembering his virtues—hope that he now enjoys the liberty of the glory of the Children of God: and many who are in other climes, and especially in his own native land, will join in that expectation.

To illustrate the courage and devotion embodied in his character, an instance may be well recorded. When the tyranny of official regime on the Victorian gold-fields turned thousands of men seeking wealth by their labors into malcontents and rebels against inordinate power—there were prominent many Irishmen who risked their lives in open warfare. The chosen rebel leader, was stricken down;—wounded and helpless, with a large price set upon his head—he was conveyed to the rude but secure shelter of the priest's house, and was there saved. His person was safe in such guardianship, and he now enjoys a distinguished position as a parliamentary representative. We are glad to say that coming to Sydney by the advice of his medical advisers—Father Smyth received all the attention which could be bestowed both in a religious and a curative way. Generously, and considerately, His Grace the Archbishop, the Vicar-General, the good Nuns, and others visited and consoled him, and there were other holy and kindly influences surrounding the untimely departure of his soul, which will be rewarded where the good deeds of this earth are recorded. At Maryville, the residence of Mr. J. Mooney, Father Smyth died on the 14th of October, 1865.—Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine et lux perpetua luceat ei.

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Melbourne, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 4 November 1865, p 698, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115451996:

(From a Correspondent. ) On last Tuesday a solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Patrick's Church, Ballarat, for the repose of the soul of the Rev. John Smyth [i.e. Patrick], who lately died in Sydney. The Right Rev. Dr. Shiell [i.e. Sheil], Bishop Elect of Adelaide, was celebrant, deacon, Rev. W. M. Finn of Heidelberg, sub-deacon, Rev. F. Neylan of Dunneed, master of ceremonies, Rev. Mr. Skehan of Creswick, cantors, Rev. B. H. Power, of Ballarat, and Rev. G. Barry, of Melbourne. We also noticed in the choir, the Very Rev. Dean Downing, Rev. J. Hoyne, and the Rev. J. O'Connell, Geelong. A little later arrived Rev. H. Geoghehan, Ryneton, Rev. P. Slattery, Daylesford, Rev. J. Moore, Keilor. The solemn chant of the mass was very efficiently gone through by the choir. The church was crowded to excess, and thus showed the high esteem in which Father Smyth was held by the people of Ballarat, over whom he presided during the Ballarat riots some years ago. Requiescat in pace.

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 61: "Smyth, Patrick /Ir. / MH / '52-'65. Of Eureka fame, Ball. d. in Syd.14.10.1865."

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A Prayer-Calendar of Deceased Priests & Deacons in Australia 1788-2009, compiled by W.T. Southerwood, Sixth Edition, 2009, p 129: "Ovens, Ballarat, Castlemaine, Vic."

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Patrick Smyth, from https://www.eurekapedia.org/Patrick_Smyth, accessed 2 September 2025:

[...] After his ordination in 1852 he came to Australia arriving in Melbourne on 11 November 1852. He worked at the Parish of Geelong, and then did a brief amount of work at Beechworth. While in Beechworth he was involved with miners from the Ovens Goldfield who were part of his parish. He then came to Ballarat.

Father Patrick Smyth was a 30 year old Irish Catholic Priest when he was transferred from Beechworth to St Alipius, Ballarat East in June 1854, after previously serving on the Beechworth goldfields. He stayed in Ballarat East until 1856 when he was transferred to St Mary's, Castlemaine.

Goldfields Involvement, 1854
Father Patrick Smyth, the Catholic priest at St. Alipius, attended many of the meetings leading up to 3 December 1854. Fr Patrick Smyth, J.B. Humffray, Bishop James Goold and Fr Mathew Downing called for peaceful resistance to the harsh attitudes of the authorities.

[...] Smyth visited the Eureka Stockade on the night of Saturday 02 December 1854 to pass on details of the strength of the Military and Police forces. He pleaded with them to return to their homes and to attend Mass the following morning.

Early on the morning of 03 December 1854 Father Smyth woke to the sounds of gunfire and made his way to the Eureka Stockade on horseback. He was greeted by a scene of death and destruction. He began to give the Last Rite to those who lay dying around him.

Shortly after the battle Father Smyth gave Peter Lalor some clothes and helped him to a friends tent. The friend later returned Lalor to Fr Smyth's tent where his left arm was amputated. The arm and blood soaked clothes were thrown down a disused mine shaft. Rev. Patrick Smyth lent his horse to Peter Lalor for his escape from the police.

In a letter written on 13 December 1854 to William Henry Archer, he passionately admonishes how he was not allowed to tend the sick and dying after the battle as they lay on the ground. "What do you think of this that I was not allowed to see the wounded among the soldiers tho' I applied myself to that first; again on my way to the stockade, an armed man with a pistol in his extended hand rode round me; and while on the stockade, looking after the dead and dying I was told politely indeed, to take myself away, tho' all was as quiet then as now. Would not this make a granite rock imbedded in polar ice turn to fire and much more one of my temperament and disposition who stakes his life for peace and would stake it doubly for the weal of the dying. But this feeling of anger - for I was angry - has passed away. But better times I hope are dawning. We are full of confidence in the good intentions of His Excellency. May we have the good and just things that our people look for." Father Patrick Smyth showed courage and commitment to his calling. Many of his parishioners included men from both sides.

Post 1854 Experiences
Father Smyth stayed in Ballarat until 1856, when he was posted to Castlemaine and founded an orphanage.