1938-2025
In Memory of Monsignor Francis Kelly “Frank” Marriott
Tributes
Thank you Mons Frank for your lifetime of dedication and service in ministry. May you rest in the heart of God whom you loved so dearly and knew so well in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Amen.
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Monsignor Frank Marriott. His tireless work as the founding Chair of Bendigo Interfaith Council and his dedication to interfaith action have made a lasting impact on our community. May his legacy of kindness, compassion, and service inspire us to continue working towards a more harmonious and inclusive society. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the parish community during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Vale Mons Frank
Frank and I met in Feb 1949 as quiet 12-year-olds on our first day at Assumption College, Kilmore. We spent time together as the youngest students in the class, sharing classes until 1953 and maintained contact until he went to Adelaide. Frank’s work in education brought us in contact again. He was challenged with setting up a school board in Sandhurst Diocese and I accepted the need to do the same at St Mary’s in Corowa. His advice was a great learning curve for me.
Moving to Wodonga was an opportunity we took to renew contact, and, when he ‘retired’ he would visit us and stay overnight, with an early morning swim a daily ‘must’. Frank’s presence on the altar at my wife Jan’s funeral, in recent months, was a shining light and I treasure the effort he made to be with us. My last visit to Frank was a month before his passing and I cherish the memories as he reaps his eternal reward. Thank you for your friendship.
God bless Frank- you were ’quite a man’.
Tribute from Wodonga Catholic Parish Remembers.
Wodonga Catholic Parish gives thanks for the life of Monsignor Francis “Frank” Marriott OAM, who died peacefully on Sunday, 23 November 2025, after 63 years of priestly service. We honour a man who gave everything to the Church, the Diocese of Sandhurst, and the communities he served.
Monsignor Frank was a Bendigo-born priest who spent his life strengthening parishes, families, schools, and local communities across central and north-east Victoria. He was known for his kindness, his strong sense of justice, his commitment to education, and his genuine care for every person he met.
Raised in Elmore, he stayed deeply connected to local life and, just as strongly, to his beloved Collingwood Magpies. After boarding at Assumption College, Kilmore, he entered the seminary in 1956 and was ordained at Sacred Heart Cathedral on 29 June 1962.
Over his six decades of service, Monsignor Frank ministered in thirteen parishes across the Diocese, including Kerang, Cobram, Rushworth, Beechworth, Shepparton, Nagambie, Heathcote, Mooroopna, and Sacred Heart Cathedral. He later served as Parish Priest of Heathcote, Nagambie, Kennington and Wodonga.
His Legacy in Wodonga and Catholic Education Wodonga
Wodonga Catholic Parish remembers Monsignor Frank with deep gratitude for his instrumental role in establishing Frayne College, which is now St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Baranduda.
He worked closely with Catholic Education Wodonga (CEW) and the Parish to bring this vision to life. His leadership, energy, and belief in the importance of Catholic education helped ensure that families in our growing community had access to a strong, faith-filled school.
St Francis stands today as a living part of his legacy.
Leadership Across the Diocese
After the sudden passing of Bishop Joe Grech in 2010, Monsignor Frank was elected Diocesan Administrator, guiding the Diocese with great care until Bishop Les Tomlinson’s arrival in 2012.
He was later appointed Vicar General, and also served as Chancellor, Director of the Sandhurst Youth Ministry, and as a long-time member of the College of Consultors.
A Priest of the People
As a young priest, he joined the Young Christian Workers (YCW), calling it “the greatest learning experience of my life.” Its “See, Judge, Act” approach shaped the way he served: always listening, always supporting, always empowering everyday people.