A Proud Heritage

1850

In 1857, Ursula Frayne along with Sister Anne Xavier Dillon and Sister Mary Joseph arrived in Melbourne by invitation from Dr James Goold Bishop of Melbourne. The Sisters were ‘gifted’ Goold’s cottage on Nicholson Street, including its sizable mortgage. After fundraising to pay it off, the Sister’s opened the doors to Our Immaculate Lady of Mercy School Academy on the 20^th April 1857 with 6 students enrolled. Thus, it became the first Catholic girl’s secondary school in Victoria.

A two-story extension is added to Goold’s cottage in 1858, which is established as the ‘House of Mercy’ where the Sisters took in girls who had just arrived in Australia, typically from Ireland. The ‘House of Mercy’ was a shelter for girls to learn employable skills and education. It is uncertain whether the ‘House of Mercy’ was funded by the Academy or solely from fundraisers.

Photo: Mother Ursual Frayne, only known photo.

1860

In January 1861, the Sisters of Mercy took over the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage in South Melbourne. On 1^st March 1861, the Sisters purchase the cottage owned by Donald Kennedy beside Goold’s cottage at a cost of £3000, and the “House of Mercy” moves there.

On 24^th September 1863, a new building attached to Kennedy’s cottage opens and two additional schools operate out of it: “Holy Angels”, an infant school for children aged three to seven and “St Catherine’s”, a school for children aged seven to thirteen. These schools occupied two of the three lower ground rooms with the third room dedicated to a library and museum. The upper floor of the new wing was used by Academy students. The new schoolrooms catered for 200 pupils.

From 1865-6 Ursula Frayne moves the “House of Mercy” into a newly purchased cottage on the corner of Nicholson and Palmer Street. As immigration subsides, the Sisters of Mercy begin to send some of the older girls from St Vincent de Paul’s Orphanage in Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) to the “House of Mercy” to be trained in domestic service.

Photo: first student, Kate Flynn.

1870

On 24^th May 1871, the eastern wing of the Palmer Street building is completed and the additional schools operating in the 1863 building move in. That year, the Sisters advertised in “The Advocate” three day schools and one boarding school each charging separate fees and ‘quite distinct from each other’, as open for enrolments, in addition to the Academy:

• “Guardian Angels Infant School”, 6 shillings 6 pence per quarter;
• “Our Lady’s of the Sacred Heart Day School”; 13 shillings per quarter;
• “St Catherine’s Middle School”, 21 shillings (1 guinea) per quarter; and
• St Catherine’s Elementary Boarding School, 35 pounds per annum.

The fees listed for these additional schools were a fraction of the Academy’s fees, which were 60 guineas per year for the standard subjects (English, French, Drawing, Pianoforte and Dancing) with added fees ranging from 8 guineas to 32 guineas per annum for extras (eg. Painting, Singing and Harp). NB. 1 guinea equaled 21 shillings.

By 1871 the Academy’s subjects include English Education, Plain Ornamental Needlework, Pianoforte, Harp, Singing, Drawing, Painting, Dancing, French and Italian.

1872 “The Domestic Training Institution” is officially established in the former “House of Mercy”. This was a residential school for older girls from the South Melbourne orphanage.

In 1873, Examination Registers show that additional subjects had been added to the curriculum including Reading; Spelling; Tables; Grammar; Geography; Catechism; Mental Arithmetic; the History of England; Ancient and Modern History; Scripture; and the History of the Church.

In 1874, the Academy sends its first candidates for matriculation examinations- three years after the general universities entrance exam opened to women.

By 1877, it seems that the “St Catherine’s” schools had been phased out and “Our Lady’s of the Sacred Heart” was listed as a primary school. “Guardian Angels” infant school seemed to operate for a few more years until c.1880, when it too appears to have been phased out.

Throughout the 1870s annual exhibition days are held at the Academy for students to display their talents in music, dancing, dissertations, languages and drama.

1880

In 1880 before his execution, Ned Kelly requests a visit from the Sisters of Mercy. Ursula Frayne applied to visit but authorities deny her request.

From 1881–4 the ‘House of Mercy’ is being used as a Domestic Training Institute for elder orphans. In 1885 Mother Ursula Frayne dies at the age of 68, and in her honour the citizens of Melbourne contribute 7 500 pounds to building a chapel. From 1885 to 1890 Mother M Sebastian Whyte takes charge of the convent and school. Mother Ursula Frayne’s body is re-interred in the Chapel in February 1889 and the chapel is blessed and officially opened in March.

1872 “The Domestic Training Institution” is officially established in the former “House of Mercy”. This was a residential school for older girls from the South Melbourne orphanage.

In 1873, Examination Registers show that additional subjects had been added to the curriculum including Reading; Spelling; Tables; Grammar; Geography; Catechism; Mental Arithmetic; the History of England; Ancient and Modern History; Scripture; and the History of the Church.

In 1874, the Academy sends its first candidates for matriculation examinations- three years after the general universities entrance exam opened to women.

By 1877, it seems that the “St Catherine’s” schools had been phased out and “Our Lady’s of the Sacred Heart” was listed as a primary school. “Guardian Angels” infant school seemed to operate for a few more years until c.1880, when it too appears to have been phased out.

Throughout the 1870s annual exhibition days are held at the Academy for students to display their talents in music, dancing, dissertations, languages and drama.

Photo: Mother Sebastian Whyte

1890

From 1891–1893 Mother M. Berchmans Sherlock takes charge of the convent and school. Also in 1891, 12 Irish postulants arrived who volunteered for the ‘overseas missions’. This includes Miss Emoe from Dublin who then became Sister Basil (future AMI Principal) and Miss Hicky from Cork who became Sister Borromeo. That year there are 36 Sisters at Fitzroy.

From 1894–1899 Mother M. Sebastian Whtye again takes charge of the convent and school.

In April 1898 a magnificent new altar for the chapel is consecrated by the Most Rev Dr. Corbett, Bishop of Sale.

1900

1907 Golden Jubilee of the Academy – celebrations include a pontifical high mass, a garden fete, and a ball. A College crest is designed by John Hennessy to mark the Golden Jubilee. The first annual edition of the school newspaper, “The Academian”, was published, possibly also to mark the Jubilee.

In 1908 the Academy Orchestra is formed. It is believed that Sr. M. Winifred Nobili was the first conductor.

1909 Sacred Heart Primary school is appointed the Parish school for the district of Fitzroy.

1910 The Past Pupils’ Association introduces an annual scholarship of £40 to be awarded to a student attending one of the primary schools conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. The first recipient was Lydia Edwards, a pupil at Sacred Heart Primary school, Fitzroy.

1920

By 1928 the Academy has a reputation for fine music with a number of talented vocalists, instrumentalists, and a well-regarded orchestra.

1930

Photo: 1939 Past Pupils Association present cheque to Dr Mannix for Spires of St. Patrick’s Cathedral

In 1935 for Mercy Day, the Sisters take Academy students to the Exhibition Building to see electricity.

1930

Photo: Debutants

1940

Photo: 1942 Proficiency Class

In the early 1940s the ‘house’ system is introduced with four houses selected: McAuley (green); Frayne (red); Sherlock (gold); and Goold (pink).

In 1948 15,000 children attend high mass at the Exhibition building to commemorate the coming of the first Bishop, Rev Goold, to the State of Victoria.

1950

In 1954–5 the first new building is built in 60 years. Built on the north side ‘N’ Building (now Walsh Building). It was a two-storey classroom block and included a lecture room and a science laboratory.

1970s

1970s

In 1971 the Academy closes its boarding facilities.

From 1973–1975 students had white t-shirts for sport. When students were allowed to wear house colours pink (Goold) and red (Frayne) were considered too close, so Goold House changed their colour to blue.

1980s

During 1979–1980, formal recognition of the heritage significance of the site takes place. The 1979 South Fitzroy Conservation Study recommended the complex be added to the Historic Buildings Register, the precursor to the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR), due to the importance of its collection of early residential, school and convent buildings. The study also recommended it be included in the Register of the National Estate, a non-statutory database which is no longer maintained. The Convent of Mercy was classified by the Victorian branch of the National Trust in this period.

In 1982 following the recommendations of the South Fitzroy Conservation Study and the National Trust’s classification, the Historic Buildings Council undertook an assessment of the site. As a result, the nineteenth century buildings at the Academy of Mary Immaculate site were included in the Historic Buildings Register.

1990s

Photo: Construction of Performing Arts Centre

In 1992 Term 2, the Library is renovated in Palmer Street Building (now Whyte Building).  Part of renovation included adding a multipurpose room and office for the librarian. As part of a grant from the State Government, the library obtained a new computer, modem and CD Rom player.

By 1994 all year levels were operating on the Nicholson Street site.

In 1994 opening of the refurbished Science rooms in the Perpetua Wing was held. The new Science laboratories incorporated two new computers with a range of software programs and a CD Rom.

Also in 1995/96, the Performing Arts Complex and Gymnasium were constructed.

In 1996 Dillon Centre opens.

140^th celebrations take place in 1997.

In the August of 1998 the Academy School Council is established.

2000s

In 2005 the N2.6 classroom is converted the to N2.6a Graphics Room and N2.6b Computer Room with 29 computers.

In 2006 to present, Sister Mary Moloney becomes the 27^th Principal.

In 2007 the Academy celebrates its 150^th Anniversary. This was celebrated by the launch of an official, published history of the Academy, a whole school mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which included most Melbourne Sisters of Mercy, and an exhibition of key artefacts from the College’s history. The courtyard was also remodelled so that it was more in keeping with the surrounding historic buildings and the Murray Room was refurbished with the installation of the lead light windows which depict the story of “Mercy”.

Also in 2008, the “Spirit of Mercy” Sculpture is unveiled.

2010s

Photo: 2013 naming ceremony of Sr Mary Moloney rsm and Adrian Fuller

In 2014 the McAllen Science Centre opens, and the College gains its first lift.

In 2017 the Academy – “The City School for Girls” celebrates its 160^th anniversary. A memorial statue of Foundress Ursula Frayne is unveiled on Foundation Day.

2020s

Photo: 2017 Mother Ursula Statue Arrival

In December of 2020 the Sisters of Mercy leave the Fitzroy Convent with a guard of honour.

In April 2021 the Sisters of Mercy officially handover their first Victorian convent to the care of the Academy.

In 2022 a new school song for the Academy for the 165^th celebrations is launched.

In 2022 the Academy’s 19^th century harp is conserved and played at the College’s 165^th Assembly celebration.