o’kelly was born in adelaide. he taught at pentridge prison and at two schools while preparing for the priesthood. he was ordained a priest for the society of jesus in adelaide in 1972. his career has been largely devoted to education. from 1978 to 1982 he was headmaster at saint ignatius' college in adelaide and from 1982 to 1993 was headmaster at saint ignatius' college, riverview in sydney. he then returned to his former school to manage its transition to coeducation.