James Moore (1834-1904) was an undistinguished scholar before he left Ireland for Melbourne in 1862. Bishop Goold charged him with collecting funds for a cathedral and other church structures, a task to which he proved well suited. In 1866 he was appointed to Ballarat; in 1884, he was consecrated Bishop of Ballarat. Within twenty years his diocese boasted 11 Catholic boarding schools, 13 boys' and girls' high schools, and 60 primary schools. St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat was consecrated in 1891 by Cardinal Moran. It was the first Catholic cathedral consecrated in Australia, and thanks to Moore, who was more Roman than Irish in sensibility, it incorporates materials, equipment and objets from all over Europe. Amongst other commitments to bodies outside the Church, Moore was a member of the art gallery committee.
