History

In 1967, congregational member Merv Harch and Pastor L Otto started the conversation of opening a Lutheran school in Biloela. The idea was openly discussed for a long time and following a revision of the Congregation’s Constitution in 1973, a Christian Education Committee was formed with Mr Bob Maczkowiack as Chairman.

The Committee, under the encouragement of Pastor Jarick, started a feasibility study and approval was given to meet with the Queensland Minister of Education, Mr Bird, on 2 July 1975. They also met with Lutheran primary school teachers Mr Morris Schuller (Toowoomba) and Mr Bruno Matuschka (Redcliffe) to help develop the vision of a school for Biloela.

Back then, in 1975, it was estimated that with a loan of $70,000 through Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL) a school could be operated and paid off in ten years at a cost of under $100 per child per annum. At a meeting on 25 July 1976, a motion was carried to accept the project in principle (31 in favour, 13 against). The Committee was authorised to negotiate loans totalling up to $50,000 provided suitable land could be found.

In early 1977, Pastor Clarie Schefe was approached by Mr Tom Price-Jones who offered to sell his house and land in Collard Street as a package for $40,000 and the Banana Shire Council approved the land for school use on 29 March 1977. $20,000 was raised through pledges and donations by Lutheran congregational members and other interested parties to help service repayments on this loan for the first three years.

The Committee bought a modular unit for a double classroom for $7,390 from Lloyd Taylor of Moura and another loan of $20,000 was secured to finance the elevation of the unit to allow for toilet facilities and storerooms below. Local Lutheran builder, Mr Ted Rosenblatt, was contracted to build the classrooms and beginning on 13 August 1977 volunteers helped Ted build the school. It was recorded by Pastor Clarrie Schefe that at the same time metric was being introduced so it was no surprise that when they dug the foundations, they were six inches out, so Clarrie Schefe and Frank Toomey were handed shovels to help rectify the problem. This building was replaced in 2015 after surviving 37 years of extensions, refurbishments, and countless students and teachers.

On 23 January 1978, Redeemer Lutheran Primary School (1-7) opened its doors to thirteen students with Mr Bill Schick as teaching Principal. The Queensland Education Department gave the school official status on 28 August 1978 along with the presentation of a flag and a portrait of the Queen. During 1978, fundraising continued and community support was evident through one fundraiser where 1,300 dozen lamingtons were sold! (That’s 100 dozen for each student!)

Enrolments began to increase – 1979 had 23 students, 1981 had 31 students, 1982 had 52 students. In 1982, Merv Harch wrote in the AGM Book of Reports that, “The growth of the school leads me to believe that God is working somewhere in the background; to have parents send their children where they can obtain a Christian Education.”

In 1982, a small shed constructed from the remains of George Rossenblatt’s old piggery was built where the manual arts building now stands. This shed, fondly known as ‘Ted’s Shed’ was where Ted Rosenblatt and Alwin Zischke would collect 1000’s of aluminium cans, tonnes of scrap metal and 100’s of old batteries for recycling. Scrap metal was very profitable back then and all money raised was donated to the school’s building fund to continue its ongoing building programs.

Enrolment and employment projections for 1983 showed that there would be 65 students, four full time teachers and two teacher aides so plans were put in place to extend the buildings in 1982. Since then, increased enrolments requiring more classrooms has been a reoccurring trend to this day.

In 1996, under the direction of Principal Paul Letts, the school bought the land in Brown’s Gully for $15,000 which was developed through the generosity of the Behrendorff family and their laser levelling technology to shape the school oval which is still in use today.

Jumping ahead, through Building the Education Revolution (BER) in 2009-2010, Banksia Place was erected, in 2012 the school received approval to change its attribute from a primary school to a secondary school incorporating Preparatory to Year 10.

With the approval for loans up to $3 million, 2013, 2014 and 2015 saw back-to-back building programs under the direction of Principal Jenni Krenske and in 2014 the middle school campus began as Redeemer Lutheran College, Biloela, with Year 7 and 8. The College grew each year afterwards adding Year 9 in 2015 and Year 10 in 2016. Senior Secondary began in 2019 with Year 11 and Year 12 was added in 2020

‘Be Filled with the Spirit’ – Ephesians 5:18

This Bible verse was originally included on the College logo alongside the diving dove, symbolising and affirming the Lutheran ethos on which Redeemer was founded. Over time, the design was refined, and the dove now appears perched on the ‘r’ in Redeemer.

For those who may wonder why a dove remains a central symbol of our identity, it reflects our Lutheran heritage and is grounded in Scripture—reminding us of the Holy Spirit’s presence, guidance, and peace within our community.

While our Mission and Vision Statements have evolved and grown with the College, they were never intended to replace the significance of our foundational Bible verse. Its meaning has simply become less visible as corporate branding and modern design have developed over the years. Including it here reaffirms its importance and reconnects our community with the spiritual roots upon which Redeemer Lutheran College stands.