College History

The Academy of Mary Immaculate is the oldest girls’ secondary College in Victoria and is still conducted on the original site of its foundation.

The discovery of gold in Victoria in 1852 and the subsequent rapid expansion and population increase created many pastoral and educational needs. Bishop Goold of Melbourne sent many pressing requests to Mother Ursula Frayne in Perth to establish a convent in Melbourne. A person of enterprising and courageous spirit, prior to her Australian experience Mother Ursula had established a mission in Newfoundland.

In March, 1857 Mother Ursula Frayne came to Melbourne with her two companions, Mother Mary Xavier Dillon and Mother Mary Joseph Sherlock.

The Bishop vacated for the Sisters his residence in Nicholson Street; thus Mother Ursula had the distinction of being the foundress of the first religious house in Victoria.

The first task of the Sisters was to provide a school. It was the desire of the Sisters to begin with the children of the poorer class, but it was pointed out by the Bishop that provision was already made for these in what was termed the common schools and that, in fact, the great work of charity at that time was education of the "poor rich". Thus a school for young ladies, The Academy of Mary Immaculate, was opened on April 20th 1857.

In June 1858 the foundation stone of a new boarding and day school was laid. A House of Mercy, to provide a home for young unemployed and unprotected females, was established in 1860 in, what is known, as Kennedy Cottage, now used as the administration centre.

By 1863, the educational work on the premises comprised three sections - a boarding and day school for young ladies, (closed only at the end of 1971) a middle school for children of humbler means, and an infant school. Part of the rationale of such a system was that fees proffered by the 'young ladies' maintained the school for poorer children.

As a result of growth and overcrowding, a new building was erected in 1869. This 'the Palmer Street building' was constructed in three stages between 1869 and 1881.

Development of the Academy

1857	April 20th – Opening of a school for young ladies.
1858	June – Foundation stone of a new boarding and day school laid.
1860	“House of Mercy” established in Kennedy Cottage (now used as the Administration centre).
1863	The College comprised 3 sections: boarding and day school for young ladies, middle school for children of humbler means and an infant school.
1869-81	Palmer Street Building erected.
1885	Mother Ursula Frayne died.
1889	Memorial Chapel completed. Mother Ursula Frayne’s body re-interred in the Chapel.
1907	Golden Jubilee – Academy badge designed
And more recently….
1954/55	4 Classrooms built on north site (now used as Art rooms), “N” block.
1966/67	Hall – Science rooms built as extension to 1955 building.
1971	Boarding School closes.
1972/73	“E” Block built – classrooms.
1986	Junior School located in St George’s Primary School Pelham Street, Carlton.
1988/89	Administration Block refurbished.
1990	Lecture Theatre installed at back of Hall.
1991	“E” Block extended.
1992	Library renovated in Palmer Street Building. Motto “Live the Truth” accepted as a modern version of the scriptural title “Speculum Sine Macula”.
1994	Science Area in “N” block fully renovated.
1995/96	Performing Arts Complex constructed. Junior school re-located from Pelham Street Carlton to the Nicholson Street Campus.
1999	Arts Rooms Refurbished. Optic fibre cable loop LAN installed throughout College.
2001-2002	Palmer Street Building Refurbished, including establishment of IT facilities.
2004-2005	Hall Refurbishment. Careers Centre Refurbished.
2006	East Building Refurbished.
2007	Murray Room Refurbished. Courtyard Remodelled. 10 Year Master Plan Commenced. 150 years of Mercy Education Celebrated.
2008	“Spirit of Mercy” Sculpture unveiled.
2009	Refurbishment of Visual Arts Facilities
2010	Refurbishment of Food Technology Area
2011	Development of Learning Street