All Things Are Possible - 140 Years of MLC

All things are possible 140 years of MLC

Acknowledgement of Country At MLC we acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our campuses are located and where we conduct our business.

We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hope of Indigenous Australians.

The MLC community engages respectfully with Australia’s Indigenous people, culture and country and is committed to continuous learning in this area.

Traditional Custodian Groups MLC Kew – Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation MLC Marshmead – Bidwell-Maap people MLC Banksia – Gunaikurnai people Our College is enriched by the involvement and contribution of talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students from Indigenous communities Australia-wide.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this publication may contain images or names of deceased persons.

This book celebrates the rich history of events that have occurred at MLC from its foundation in 1882 until today.

The spirited nature of our students, staff, and community are cause for celebration and reflection as we enjoy the decades of MLC’s history.

Contents 1882 Foundations

Page 4

1885-1899 Early years

Page 6

1900s

Page 8

1910s

Page 10

1920s

Page 12

1930s

Page 14

1940s

Page 16

1950s

Page 18

1960s

Page 20

1970s

Page 22

1980s

Page 24

1990s

Page 26

2000s

Page 28

2010s

Page 30

2020s MLC today

Page 32

Principals

Page 34

History of houses

Page 36

Uniform

Page 38

Motto

Page 40

Changing campus

Page 42

MLC Archives

Page 44

Contact us

Page 46

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1882

Foundations

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In 1877, the Wesleyan Methodist Church established a committee to plan the foundation of a school for girls. The overriding aim of the school would be to provide girls with the same educational opportunities as the Methodist boys received at Wesley College, formed in 1866.

The committee identified an ideal location and purchased several acres of ‘Kelly’s Paddock’ on the corner of Glenferrie and Barkers Roads in Kew in 1881. The Reverend Dr William Henry Fitchett was then appointed as the College’s founding Principal, a position which he held for 47 years.

On 14 February 1882, the Methodist Ladies’ College commenced with 16 students aged from seven to eighteen years. Its first classes were held in temporary accommodation. By the end of the year, MLC had 111 students enrolled from 90 different families.

On campus, the west wing of Tiddeman House was completed in April 1882, allowing boarders and students to move in. The east wing, Tower, and fountain were finished by early 1885 – completing MLC’s most iconic building. Designed by Melbourne architects, Crouch & Wilson, Tiddeman House remains one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival style in Melbourne.

The College’s first school colour was peacock blue, rather than green.

This could explain why a pet peacock was said to roam the school grounds in the first year. However, due to its continual screeching and screaming, the peacock was relocated to a rural homestead.

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Clockwise: Etching of Tiddeman House c. 1882; Illustration of Academic gown and Tennis uniform c. 1880s; Dr William Henry Fitchett

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1885-1899

Early years

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Students quickly established their own magazine called The Bluebell.

The earliest edition held in the MLC Archives dates from December 1885. Gossip of the day was over the sudden change of special guests for the end of year Speech Night (now called Celebration Evening). The Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry B Loch and his wife Lady Loch had to cancel last minute due to another engagement.

As a result, the College quickly arranged the Honourable James MacBain, President of the Legislative Council, to attend instead.

The magazine also commented on the many visitors the College had seen over the year from neighbouring colonies including Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales.

Subjects taught during this period included: English, Arts, Mathematics, Geography, History, Languages (Latin, French, and German), Scripture, Natural Sciences (Physics), Botany and Physiology. A Handiwork Department offered Dressmaking and the Science of Homelife. The College also ran a tailored education option called the Extra-College Course for older students or students with poor health. These students could study at their own pace and were able to take Music, Elocution, Deportment (including Etiquette) and Painting.

In 1890, the College built The Baths building, which was previously located where the Dr Wood Learning Centre stands today. This complex was a two-storey brick building which housed MLC’s first science laboratory and art studio upstairs, with a swimming pool downstairs. This swimming pool was one of the first to be built at any girls’ school in Australia.

MLC star badges first appear in photos in 1897. While the origins of these are unknown, they remain an identifiable and enduring icon that connect many generations of MLC students. The first badges were silver with blue and were inscribed with ‘Deo Domuique’ and ‘MLC’.

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Clockwise: The Bluebell c.

1800s; The first MLC Star Badge; A student group c.

1898; The Baths, 1893

1882 Foundations 1885-1899 Early years 1900s 1910s

Clockwise: Prefects, 1906; OCC Formation, 1904; Mr Otto Krome

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

1900s

On 29 October 1904, 200 past students and teachers gathered in MLC’s dining hall to discuss the establishment of an Old Collegians’ Club (OCC). The term ‘Old Collegians’ was preferred over ‘Old Girls’, for as Rev Dr Fitchett exclaimed, ‘girls can never be old!’

The Old Collegians Club (OCC) was formed with the objective of maintaining loyalty and affection to the College as well as a forum to preserve the friendships made as students.

Margaret Tiddeman (first Lady Superintendent of the Boarding House) was elected the first President of the OCC. In 1906, Rev Dr Fitchett appointed Mr Otto Krome to the position of Headmaster. Considered the best teacher of modern languages in Australia at the time, Mr Krome arrived at MLC full of ideas about contemporary education for girls. He wasted no time in making an impact, with the immediate introduction of the prefect system and an expansion of the sports program. Mr Krome also focused on raising academic standards and strongly encouraged all students to consider higher education pathways including university.

The prefect system was warmly welcomed by students of the day as it provided leadership opportunities that previously had not existed.

The first Prefects were Ruth Laycock, Doris Bowring, Doris Herring, Dulcie Wellard and Daisy Ball. To celebrate these new positions, Prefects were awarded with a gold star badge.

The Bluebell magazine in 1906 states that the Prefects were ‘responsible for the general good conduct of the students in whose company they may be – wherever it may be. By their own excellence of behaviour, by ladylike conduct in school, in playground, in town, train, or tram, they set the example to all others.’

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1910s

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Life as a school was impacted by the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918). The MLC community was heavily involved in local warrelated endeavours. Students knitted items for soldiers and made clothing for children in war-torn countries. Issues of The Bluebell describe how milk cans were packaged at MLC for the troops: each soldier received a knitted face washer, a knitted balaclava or headcap, a pipe and tobacco, and sometimes sweets.

MLC also contributed military personnel to WWI. The College remains proud that eighteen MLC Old Collegians served as nursing sisters at the Front. They are commemorated in the Nurses’ Memorial Assembly Hall (1957) and an honour board in the foyer of Fitchett Chapel (1959).

The first annual Sports Day was held in 1915. There were no Houses at that time, so form classes competed against each other. This joined the increasing number of sporting events in the College calendar – with sporting team in tennis, hockey, and baseball.

Students of the day were particularly enthusiastic about the flag races and the obstacle courses, which were a source of great amusement to all those involved and spectating.

Nursing Sisters, including MLC OC Elsie Withington (seated on the right)

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Fitchett Hall was opened in 1917. The building had an assembly area on the upper floor, with the ground floor accommodating classrooms for the newly established MLC Business School. (Today, the assembly area is used for Drama classes and studio productions.) Fitchett Hall holds an important memorial stained-glass window that honours the life of Rev Dr Fitchett’s daughter, Nellie Fitchett, who was a muchloved MLC student who died of meningitis, aged 17, in 1897.

The MLC Business School was opened in 1917, with the intention of training young women to fill the positions vacated by men fighting in WWI. The Business School offered ‘practical instruction’ and skills such as typewriting, photography, bookkeeping, business procedures and shorthand.

MLC Prefects performed the Twelfth Night in 1918, which is the first documented public drama performance by students in the College’s history. The performance raised funds that contributed to the Krome Memorial Gates.

Clockwise from top left: Fitchett Hall; First Sports Day, 1915; Students performing Twelfth Night; A Business class

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1920s

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‘At last we have our new magazine, and The Bluebell (horribly Early Victorian name!), which has become rather faded, is forever laid aside’. In 1921, students reinvented their magazine into The Silver and Green.

The Krome Memorial Gates, on the corner of Glenferrie and Barkers Roads, were opened in 1923 after seven years of fundraising by the College Prefects. To this day, the gates honour Headmaster Otto Krome, who died prematurely in 1917 from stress caused by vilification in the press relating to his Germanic background during World War One. The gates remain a powerful and public symbol of MLC’s support for Mr Krome and his family.

In 1926, MLC opened Nicholas House, originally known as the Home Sciences building. Nicholas House held new, state-of-the-art classrooms for cooking, laundry, and drawing classes. These facilities were built with funds provided by the generous philanthropists, George and Alfred Nicholas, who were MLC parents and longstanding members of the College Council. Nicholas House is now known as the Language Centre and is MLC’s third oldest building.

MLC has a long and special relationship with the nation of Tonga.

In 1926, the College welcomed Princess Fusipala as a boarder. She was a lively and much-loved member of the College community and was affectionately known as Fusi. Her stepsister was the future Queen Salote Tupou III – who later visited MLC to lay the foundation stone for the new Junior School in 1953. Fusi left MLC in 1928 and tragically died in 1933 from tuberculous peritonitis. Her former classmates raised funds for a memorial stained-glass window in Fitchett Chapel.

Reverend John Grove was appointed Principal in 1929 after Rev Dr Fitchett’s death in May that year.

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Clockwise from top: Krome Gates; Laundry class; Principal Reverend John Grove and students; The Silver and Green; Princess Fusipala, 1927

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1882 Foundations 1885-1899 Early years 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s MLC today Principals History of houses Uniform Motto Changing campus MLC Archives Clockwise from top left: Reverend Dr Harold Wood; The Central Australia Tour; The Nicholas Wing; Frederick Cato at the opening of MLC Elsternwick

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

1930s

MLC opened a branch school in Elsternwick with substantial support from philanthropist Frederick J Cato – who purchased the property called ‘Kooyong’ as the school’s first building. The Council of MLC Kew had been deliberating on whether to open a branch school to service the southern suburbs since 1919. It wasn’t until Rev Grove’s approval, and the generosity of Frederick Cato in providing the site, that this vision was finally realised. MLC Elsternwick was in operation for thirty years and was officially known as the Frederick J Cato Branch until 1960 when it became an independent school. It currently forms part of Wesley College.

A cartoon of Reverend Dr Harold Wood

An eleven-day trip to Central Australia in 1936 was MLC’s first school tour. This grand excursion was described in The Silver and Green as ‘a thrill from beginning to end for the twenty-three schoolgirl participants, and doubly so as no school party had ever been so far into the interior before.’ The school group was accompanied by nine teachers, two nurses, and Principal Rev Grove.

‘ We have them at last! What?

Why, names for our Houses, of course!’

– Principal Reverend Grove, 1937

In 1937, students had been waiting for five years to have their House groups named. Principal Rev Grove finally announced at a special assembly in 1937 that the four houses were to be called Berry (purple), Cato (blue), Fitchett (yellow) and Krome (green). Nevile House (pink) was introduced in 1959 along with Tiddeman House (red) for the boarders. Tiddeman was abolished in 1979 due to the smaller number of boarders compared to student numbers in other houses.

Rev Dr A Harold Wood was appointed Principal in 1939. He saw MLC through a period of great expansion and increased diversity.

Construction of the Nicholas Wing and Principal’s Administration area was completed in 1939. These buildings were the beginning of a major reconstruction period at MLC, sponsored by the Nicholas brothers. Part of the Nicholas Wing was later demolished, in December 2017, to make way for the new Nicholas Learning Centre for Years 7 and 8 students.

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1940s

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Life at the College was once again flipped upside down with the outbreak of the World War Two (1939-45). Eerily similar to life during WWI, the social service work undertaken by students once again included knitting goods for soldiers. In 1942, students returned after the summer break to find many air-raid trenches dug across different parts of the school. Whatever the challenge, the MLC community remained strong, with students stating in The Silver and Green that ‘education and school-life give us the moral and spiritual strength to meet the trials to come... we learn to keep stout hearts, and steady minds, combined with a righteous purpose, to be victorious over all difficulties.’

‘This year we who have been privileged to watch, have seen a splendid new School rise out of the seeming chaos which surrounded us.’ In 1940, students experienced further building works with Tiddeman House undergoing major renovations with the construction of two new wings, a new lounge and new dining room.

Principals History of houses Uniform Motto Changing campus MLC Archives Clockwise from top left: WWI Nurse, Gladys Chance; Pool and Gym roof; The Tiddeman House extension

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

A new swimming pool and gym were also opened in 1940, situated in what is now the main car park. The gym roof was painted with camouflage paint to defend against possible air attacks during WWII. Tours of the new facilities were said to leave all ‘impressed (and almost bewildered) by the modernity and magnificence’, as stated in The Silver and Green of that year.

Efforts to enhance the MLC library were underway in 1943. Dr Wood viewed a large and comprehensive library as an essential aspect of a modern school. The OCC and College raised funds to achieve this goal and in 1945, the library was completed and named the Walton Library after a much-loved English teacher, Ms Rebecca Walton, who had served the College for 39 years between 1890 and 1929.

“...we learn to keep stout hearts, and steady minds, combined with a righteous purpose, to be victorious over all difficulties.”

– The Silver and Green, 1942

The 1949 Library Committee

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1950s

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In 1951, the new Cato Wing was opened after an increased need for more classrooms to accommodate the rise in student numbers in the post-war baby boom. It was named in honour of Frederick J Cato, who had been a generous benefactor of the College for many years before his death in 1935. A new Science Block was also opened to provide four large laboratories for Chemistry, Physics, Biology and General Science. The new facilities were made possible due to a £100,000 donation made by the Nicholas brothers a few years earlier.

‘1954 has certainly been one of our happiest years and will live in the memory as the year in which our beautiful new [Junior School] building was opened.’

MLC’s Junior School remains in the same location today. Miss Joan Forster led the Junior School for 34 years and strongly encouraged outdoor and art excursions for the College’s youngest students.

These excursions became so frequent that Principal Dr Wood said children could ‘join the Junior School and see Victoria.’

‘The fine ideals upheld by the founders of the school, and practised by them, have acted as a seed which has grown, flourished and blossomed over the years,’ wrote The Silver and Green’s editors as MLC celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1957.

On 21 September 1957, the Nurses’ Memorial Assembly Hall, to the south of the Cato Wing, was opened after a multi-year fundraising campaign. The building was designed by Harry Norris and the name was chosen to honour all Old Collegians who had served as nurses during the wars and conflicts in the years prior.

The Fitchett Chapel, designed by Mr F C Armstrong, was opened in 1959. The building was envisioned by Dr Wood to honour MLC’s founding Principal Rev Dr Fitchett. The hope was that the new chapel would become a sanctuary for students and act as a symbol for the religious life of the school.

By the end of the decade, MLC students had created a club for almost every activity imaginable. The list included the Social Services Club, Devotional, Student Christian Movement, United Nations Association, Debating Society, Latin Club, German Club, French Club, Camera Club, Science Club, Mathematics Groups, Library Committee, Film Appreciation Club and a Walking Club.

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Clockwise from top: Fitchett Chapel; Queen Salote and Dr Wood lay the Junior School Foundation stone, 1953; Jean Chambers and Dr Wood at the Assembly Hall fundraiser; Students of the Dramatic Society; The Opening of Junior School, 1954; The Assembly Hall Opening, 1957

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Clockwise from top: The Nevile Wing, 1961; Reverend Woodgate; A field display for Dr Wood’s retirement; The SRC, 1969; The Wood Wing language lab

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

1960s

During the early 1960s, MLC acquired several houses along Glenferrie Road, including the Art House which became the centre for senior students prior to the building of the Centenary Building.

The R W Nevile Wing was completed in 1961, housing eleven classrooms and two new science laboratories. The building was named after Richard Nevile, the Chairman of the College Executive Council from 1936-1966.

The Harold Wood Wing was officially opened in November 1963. It was the last building in MLC’s extensive building boom which had commenced in the 1940s. The Wood Wing was designed with modern educational needs in mind and consisted of arts and craft studios, flexible classroom spaces, and a language laboratory.

After 27 years of outstanding service as Principal, Dr Wood retired in 1966 and Rev Ronald A W Woodgate is appointed Principal. In Dr Wood’s final Speech Nigh address, his closing words were ‘I thank God for the privilege of being associated with such a school as this and I pray God’s continued blessing upon all who teach and all who learn and all who have learnt in MLC.’ 1968 saw the introduction of elective subjects for girls in Matriculation (Year 12). The July edition of The Silver and Green of that year states that this was an important addition to ensure girls left the school as well-rounded students. The most popular elective was Elegance, in which students were ‘taught by experts how to apply make-up, deportment, etiquette and social graces.’

One of Rev Woodgate’s early initiatives was to recommend that the students form a Student Representative Council. In 1969, the SRC was voted in during a referendum held in May. The responsibilities of this group, as established at the time, included matters relating to general welfare of all students and liaison with the College Leadership and Council on the best ways to implement new rules.

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1970s

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A rival student publication to The Silver and Green appeared in 1973.

A newspaper called Ludus threatened the position of the magazine.

That year’s magazine recalls that it was ‘with terror, we saw Ludus invade our territories of letters to the editor, photography, humour, and even encroached on the sacred domain of the magazine, poetry.’

Thankfully, Ludus did not appear again and The Silver and Green held onto its position. Today, it remains an important publication that documents the events and spirit of each school year.

The breadth of opportunities available to students (resulting busy lunchtimes!) was noted by The Silver and Green’s editors in 1974: ‘I warn everyone now; MLC is a big place that is always alive with action... explore your talents and then decide where you think you will be most interested and most useful... once you have found your niche, try not to diversify too far or you, too, will be caught up in the ‘Lunchtime Running Syndrome’.’

The R A W Woodgate Resource Centre opened in 1974 and was a hive of activity. The Brutalist style of the building, designed by Daryl Jackson, caused significant controversy among local residents in Kew. The Centre provided much needed and expanded library space, an audio-visual area, new staff centre as well as a tuck shop and lunchroom for students. Today, the Woodgate Centre is regarded as one of Melbourne’s finest examples of Brutalist architecture.

David Loader was appointed Principal in 1979 and was the first lay person to hold the position. Mr Loader’s years at MLC are characterised by an increased emphasis on new technology, selfdirected learning, and education outdoors.

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Clockwise from top: The 1971 Orchestra; Principal David Loader; Sports day c. 1970s; The Woodgate Centre exterior

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1980s

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‘Within the confines of the school’s seemingly impersonal grey stone, there exists much which radiates warmth, security and the reassurance of acceptance’ Foreword, The Silver and Green, 1980.

There was cause for much celebration in 1982. MLC had reached its 100th anniversary, which resulted in a year full of events. The College published its centenary history book, They Dreamt of a School, by Alisa Zainu’ddin (Thomson 1944). There was a Centennial Dinner and a Centenary Gala Concert for which a Celebration Cantata was composed by the Australian film composer, George Dreyfus, with the assistance of Jane Elton Brown OAM (Elton 1955), MLC’s Director of Music at the time. The College also opened its new building for senior students, Business School students and Catering Course students – The Centenary Building.

In 1982, Mr Loader announced the introduction of a new school structure. The College was to be organised into four sections – Junior School (Prep-Year 5), Junior Secondary School (Years 6-8), Middle School (Years 9-10) and Senior School (Years 11-12). With the single revision of moving Year 6 into the Junior School, this remains MLC’s current organisational structure.

History of houses Uniform

David Loader addressing the crowd at the PEC opening, 1987

Motto Changing campus MLC Archives

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

MLC formalised its commitment to hearing impaired students through the establishment of the Deaf Integration Unit in 1986. The program provided equal access to education in a regular classroom and connection to the school community but with additional support from teachers of the deaf.

In 1987, the new Physical Education Centre (PEC) was opened. The account of the occasion in The Silver and Green describes a sea of blue, purple, green, pink and yellow (the House colours) on the sports oval, each girl holding a helium balloon in their House colour. As Miss Kerr turned the key in the door, some 500 balloons were released (a practice no longer seen today due to environmental concerns), and MLC’s state-of-the-art sports facilities were opened.

According to The Silver and Green in 1989, Nevile Tower was built for the sole purpose of enabling ‘young JSS ladies to scream their way to Science lessons along a different route.’

Clockwise from left: The centenary Founders’ Day procession; Deaf students welcomed to the College, 1989; Students c. 1980s

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1990s

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MLC was the first girls’ school in the world to introduce laptops from Years 5 to 12 in 1990. This program was later expanded in 2014 to include iPads from Prep to Year 2 and laptops from Years 3 to 12.

This innovative approach was part of MLCs commitment to equipping students for the future.

MLC’s first outdoor education and residential campus opened in 1991 on a farm in Mallacoota known as ‘Marshmead’. The idea for such a campus had been on the College’s agenda since 1979 when the Student Representative Council asked the Principal for ‘a country campsite such as many boys’ schools have.’ MLC Marshmead transformed the Year 9 experience at MLC, with groups of students living onsite for an entire term.

The Music School was opened in 1995. The new building greatly expanding the music offerings at the College and provided additional performance and assembly areas, as well as a central Reception office. The Music School is home to Flockart Hall and the Jane Elton Brown Performance Staircase, named after two legendary music teachers Ruth Flockart and Jane Elton Brown OAM, as well as a large auditorium named in honour of Professor James Tatoulis AM, one of MLC’s most generous recent benefactors.

‘ Explore the curriculum, see the faces, hear the languages, witness the pace, feel the excitement. At a single glance, the diversity within our College is evident.’

Ms Rosa Storelli opened her article in the 1997 edition of The Silver and Green with this comment after being appointed MLCs first female Principal earlier that year.

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

In 1998, a group of Year 10 students travelled to Ngukurr, a remote aboriginal community in South-eastern Arnhem Land. The Ngukurr/ MLC exchange program was established to develop MLC students’ understanding of Australia’s Indigenous peoples’ history and culture as well as providing students from the Ngukurr community an opportunity to travel to Melbourne and experience MLC. The International Baccalaureate (IB) was introduced to MLC’s curriculum in 1999. The program was a welcomed alternative qualification to the VCE for many students and made applying to international universities more achievable.

Clockwise from top left: The first Year 9 group to attend Marshmead in Term 1, 1991; Principal Rosa Storelli and student with Ngukurr Elders at MLC c. 2000s; Opening of the Music School; Junior School laptops

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Top: Students at Banksia; middle row (L-R): David Loader Centre 2010; Kindle 2004; bottom row: The opening of the redeveloped Junior School

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

2000s

In 2000, MLC expanded once more to open an early learning centre, known as MLC Kindle. This centre continues to reinforce the College’s commitment to education from the very earliest years, caring for students from six weeks to age four.

MLC also expanded its Education Outdoors program in 2001, with the purchase of the Gippsland properties that form MLC Banksia. The programs run at MLC Banksia provide exceptional experiences for students in Year 5 through to Year 8. A sequential program develops outdoor skills and confidence in preparation for our Year 9 students’ MLC Marshmead or Melbourne Term experience.

By the mid-2000s, MLC students were participating in exchanges and tours in 17 countries. These included Italy, Japan, Thailand, Tanzania, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, the Netherlands, France, Nepal, New Caledonia, Vietnam, Spain, the USA, Indonesia and Tonga.

In 2007, the College celebrated its 125th anniversary and the opening of the redeveloped Junior School. The new features in the Junior School building included open, flexible learning spaces, a larger library, a performance staircase and improved art facilities.

In 2008, the Rainbow Alliance held its first meeting. This student-led group created, and continues to provide, a safe space for students through the promotion of shared understanding of sexual and gender diversity.

In May 2009, the College opened the David Loader Centre. This innovative, multi-purpose building features flexible, adaptable classroom spaces and state-of-the-art environmental design including roof water harvesting and the use of sustainable materials.

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The Elizabeth Tatoulis Science Wing opened in 2010 after the modernisation and redevelopment of the original 1951 and 1969 Science buildings. Named in recognition of the ongoing generosity of Professor James Tatoulis AM and Mrs Elizabeth Tatoulis, the new facilities included two biology labs, two chemistry labs, one physics lab, two psychology labs, as well as preparation areas, workshop spaces and a student lounge.

Mrs Debbie Dunwoody was appointed Principal in 2012. Her vision for the school was to ‘provide the best teaching environment for the students, because ultimately we want our students to go out and be the catalysts for the change we see in the world.’

Ms Diana Vernon was appointed the eighth Principal of MLC in 2014, bringing significant depth of experience in girls’ schools, her discipline areas in STEAM and a commitment to developing quality of teaching and learning and opportunities for MLC students.

In late 2014, MLC became the second school in the world to achieve certification from the Council of International Schools. Accreditors were particularly impressed with the College’s key concepts

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Clockwise from top left: Principal Debbie Dunwoody; Murrundindi performs the annual Smoking Ceremony; Principal Diana Vernon with students 30

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Top to bottom: Students enjoy the rooftop terrace of the NLC; Principal Diana Vernon speaks at the opening of the Nicholas Learning Centre

of awareness, appreciation, understanding and responsibility, reinforcing the College’s vision to inspire students to be citizens the world needs: ‘world ready women’.

MLC has welcomed many Indigenous students through various scholarship programs with the University of Melbourne and Yalari.

In 2015, the College introduced its own fully funded Indigenous Scholarships Program to continue its commitment of supporting Indigenous students in education. MLC continually strengthens and adds to its Indigenous Programs via a dedicated, College-wide strategy focused on active engagement with Indigenous culture, knowledge and perspectives.

The first significant project of the 2020 Masterplan was the Nicholas Learning Centre (NLC) for Years 7 and 8 students. In 2018, the south section of the Nicholas Building was demolished to make way for the construction of the new building. The Principal’s Terrace was enlarged and re-landscaped to include grassy open space for students to enjoy during their breaks.

The NLC was opened in the middle of 2019, with an official ceremony held in November. Its name honours the more than 90 years of support from the Nicholas family, founded on the contributions made by brothers Alfred and George in 1926, and continuing with the significant leadership roles played by Old Collegian Marjorie Nicholas OAM (Thompson 1956).

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MLC today

1920s

Authored by current MLC Principal, Diana Vernon

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When I reflect on this current decade, it presents as one of incredible challenge and change –simultaneously alive with opportunity.

Early 2020 brought us the global COVID-19 pandemic. Worldwide, this has required everyone to reimagine all aspects of their lives. MLC, like so many organisations has pivoted many times, as restrictions have changed. Everyone has had to be creative and develop their resilience in a world with significant and ongoing restrictions.

Despite these challenges, our Class of 2020 achieved some of the College’s best results, with the Class of 2021 equally well prepared for their final assessments and examinations.

The College’s commitment to technology over the years continues to serve us well and has ensured seamless delivery of our students’ curriculum and co-curricular activities, as well as school operations. Committing to Microsoft tools, adopting cloud technology and a new Learning Management System, CANVAS, in 2016, as well as reviewing and renewing our one-toone laptop program, has provided the most appropriate educational tools for our staff and students.

In 2020, we embarked upon a holistic review of the MLC Curriculum for Learning and Wellbeing, to ensure our students gain the necessary skills, knowledge and values to be active and informed citizens. Following the impact of the pandemic on our lives, this review could not be more timely.

In 2021, we celebrated the 30th birthday of our MLC Marshmead campus, with the Year 9 Marshmead program remaining a much enjoyed and unique educational experience.

The nearby township of Mallacoota was heavily impacted by the devastating 2019/2020 summer bushfires. In an outstanding demonstration of the compassion and commitment of the MLC community, over $39,000 was raised for the town – a testament to our long-standing connection to the region.

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

‘ The College continues to be a leader in the world of education and has much to celebrate and much to look forward to in the years, decades and centuries ahead’ – Ms Diana Vernon, Principal Clockwise from top left: The refurbished Dr Wood Learning Centre; Students on Teams celebrate their class birthdays during 2020 online learning; Ms Diana Vernon with Year 2 students on Founders’ Day 2021

Having opened the Nicholas Learning Centre in 2019, the next key development in the MLC Kew Masterplan was the redeveloped Dr Wood Learning Centre. Opened in 2021, this is a state-of-the-art home for Year 9 students at the Kew campus. Named in honour of MLC’s second longest serving Principal, and formerly known as the Harold Wood Wing, the Dr Wood Learning Centre includes flexible indoor learning, outdoor learning and recreational spaces, including a permaculture garden. The colour palette and design features reinforce the College’s commitment to sustainability and provide clear links with our MLC Marshmead campus.

It is a huge privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility for educating young people, and particularly in a world that is changing at such an unprecedented rate. As we continue to build on MLC’s previous successes, I look forward to what the remainder of this decade holds in store for MLC. I am incredibly proud of the commitment and dedication of our fabulous staff and the way they support and inspire our students to ensure they are well-equipped to be the next generation of thinkers, innovators and achievers; truly ‘the citizens the world needs.’

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Principals

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Rev Dr William Henry Fitchett 1882-1929 MLC’s founding Principal who led for 47 years and ensured that MLC’s position as a leading educational institution was firmly established.

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Rev John Grove 1929-1938 Steered the College through a difficult fiscal period that included the Great Depression.

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Rev Dr Harold Wood 1939-1966 One of MLC’s much-loved Principals, Dr Wood renewed the importance of academic achievement and saw the College through an extensive building boom.

Rev Ron A W Woodgate 1967-1978 Affectionately known by many as RAW, Rev Woodgate was an experienced teacher and led MLC through the 1960s and 70s, establishing the Student Representative Council.

Since the College’s foundation in 1882, MLC has had many strong and unique leaders who have directed and guided each generation of MLC students. From 1885 until 2004, the Principal and their families lived onsite at the College, in the lower eastern side of Tiddeman House which is now known as The Residence.

David Loader 1979-1996 MLC’s first lay Principal, Mr Loader’s years saw an increased emphasis on introducing new technology, self-directed learning and education outdoors.

Rosa Storelli 1997-2012 MLC’s first female Principal, Ms Storelli encouraged students to develop their own style of learning and leadership and enhanced MLC’s long tradition of fostering diverse opportunities for students.

Debbie Dunwoody 2012-2013 Mrs Dunwoody held many important roles at MLC in the lead up to her Principalship, including that of first Director of MLC Marshmead, Head of Middle School, and Vice Principal.

Diana Vernon 2014-current Ms Vernon is focussed on developing our unmatched breadth of learning opportunities at MLC, for our students and for our staff, as well as the development of learning environments, to inspire our students to become the citizens the world needs.

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History of houses

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The Houses at MLC were first introduced in 1933 by Rev Grove.

For five years, the Houses were simply numbered, but in 1937 at a special assembly, the names were announced as Berry, Cato, Fitchett and Krome. Several years later, in 1959, Nevile and Tiddeman (representing MLC’s boarders) were added. In 1979, students in Tiddeman House were reallocated to one of the other five houses.

Disbanding Tiddeman House was required due to the smaller number of boarders compared to student numbers in other house groups.

1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s

Clockwise from top: House Berry; House Fitchett; House Nevile; House Cato; House Krome

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

Berry Named after Mr Henry Berry (1836-1923), who was a successful business owner of a salt and general merchandise company. Mr Berry made generous donations to MLC and was a member of the MLC Council.

Cato Named after Frederick J Cato (1858-1935) who was a partner in the grocery business of Moran and Cato. He gave generously to MLC to purchase facilities such as the Cato Building and the College’s former branch school MLC Elsternwick. He also funded many scholarships and prizes.

Fitchett Named after Rev Dr William Henry Fitchett, minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and founding Principal of MLC. Rev Dr Fitchett was also an internationally known author and editor.

Krome Named in honour of Otto Krome (1863-1917), Headmaster from 1906 to 1917. Mr Krome introduced the prefect system at MLC and changed our school colour from blue to green. His five daughters all attended MLC.

Nevile Named in honour of businessman Richard Nevile, who was Chairman of the Advisory Committee at MLC from 1936-1966. He was a strong supporter of the College for many years through his business leadership.

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Uniform

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When MLC first opened, students were not required to wear a uniform, just a blue ribbon with the first College symbol, which was a dove holding an olive branch. This ribbon and symbol were replaced by the star badge in the 1890s.

By 1906, a green hatband and tie were worn by students along with their choice of blouse and skirt. In 1912, certain colours of clothing were required and by the 1920s, MLC’s first official uniform consisted of a dark blue tunic, blazer, and hat worn with a white blouse, green tie and green hatband, with many students, or their mothers, sewing their own uniforms.

In 1937, the uniform changed from dark blue to grey, with a grey and green pinstripe tunic and blazer with grey hat, gloves and stockings.

This uniform (often recalled with dislike by many Old Collegians) persisted with small changes for nearly 40 years.

In 1975, the uniform changed to a green blazer, grey skirt, silverand-green pinstriped white blouse and grey v-neck jumper, the latter worn in summer with a green and white check dress.

In 2002, the current uniform was introduced, consisting of a dark green blazer, black and green striped skirt and grey shirt with white collar. The winter uniform was later updated to offer trousers as an alternative to the winter skirt. More recently, the summer uniform was updated to include shorts and a short-sleeved shirt as an alternative to the summer dress.

MLC Archives

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Motto

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The MLC motto speaks to the purpose for which our school was founded. It is believed that the motto was devised by founding Principal, Rev Dr Fitchett.

The strength of MLC’s motto comes down to our ability to reinterpret it, without straying too far from the original meaning. Not long after the adoption of the motto, the College community adopted a broader and deeper meaning to Deo Domuique. This was that the motto, and therefore the College, placed ‘a more vocational emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge, not education for its own sake but for service to others.’

In the mid-1980s, a committee reviewed the motto to ensure that it was still relevant. One committee member suggested changing the motto to: Deo Domui Orbi, ‘For God, For Home, and For the World’.

However, the committee decided to retain the original motto with the acceptance of a broader interpretation of both parts of the motto:

Deo ‘For God’ meaning to be true to one’s faith and principles or beliefs, whatever they might be.

Domuique ‘For Home’ to encompass the idea of being of service to our immediate and wider communities of family, friends, nations and the world.

A physical representation of the motto can be found in the Nurses’ Memorial Assembly Hall with the two murals painted by renowned artist George Julian Browning AM.

Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

The motto captured in a stained glass window in Fitchett Chapel.

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Changing campus

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MLC has been a continuously changing and evolving landscape over the last 140 years. These aerial photos provide a sense of just how much change has occurred at MLC’s Kew campus over the decades.

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

1990s

Clockwise: 1930s; 1960; 2020s

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MLC Archives

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In July 1960, the College Council requested the formation of an Archives Committee to ensure that the College’s history and memories were preserved for future generations. The task was taken up by the Old Collegians’ Club in 1960 with Mrs Edna Cornell (Pryor 1924) as Convener.

Through the efforts of this Archives Committee and later, the staff who have held the position of College Archivist, the MLC Archives are a comprehensive and vitally important resource for the College.

The ongoing role of the College Archivist aims to continue the collection, preservation and promotion of items relating to MLC’s history in order to safeguard the integrity and significance of the collections, which document the progress of MLC and women’s education in Australia.

This publication was made possible due to the efforts of all those who have served in the Archives. I would like to thank all the past College Archivists (and their many volunteers) for their intensive efforts in creating and caring for the collections: Angela Henricksen (1995-2000), Robin Scott (2000-2005), Lisl Bladin (2005-2009) and Judy Donnelly (2010-2019).

Stacey Coenders College Archivist

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

MLC’s Archival Collections include Documents, such as student records, minutes, reports and correspondence.

Full sets of magazines, including The Bluebell, The Silver and Green, and The Star.

Maps and building plans.

Extensive collections of photographs and other audiovisual media such as film, VHS, vinyl and cassettes.

Past uniforms, trophies, badges and many other forms of College memorabilia.

Edna Cornell and the MLC Archives

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We invite you to remain connected with the MLC community

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Anything is possible 140 years of MLC

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Contact us

MLC Instagram instagram.com/mlckew

College website www.mlc.vic.edu.au

MLC Facebook facebook.com/mlckew

Advancement and alumnae relations alumnae@mlc.vic.edu.au

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Archives archives@mlc.vic.edu.au Admissions admissions@mlc.vic.edu.au General enquiries college@mlc.vic.edu.au MLC Foundation foundation@mlc.vic.edu.au

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MLC 207 Barkers Road Kew Victoria 3101 Australia T. +61 3 9274 6333 F. +61 3 9819 2345 E. college@mlc.vic.edu.au

Methodist Ladies’ College Limited ABN 55 006 036 979 | CRICOS 00325A

mlc.vic.edu.au