Catherine McAuley College would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our College resides. As a Mercy Community we are committed to building close bonds with the Jaara people and to continue to learn and support the stewardship and legacy of their culture and country. We pay our respects to the elders past, present and future.
Our
College
History
Catherine McAuley College has a proud tradition of Catholic education dating back to 1876 when Sister Aloysius Martyn and the Sisters of Mercy first arrived in Bendigo. For over 140 years, the Sisters of Mercy have given extraordinary service to the Bendigo community. Inspired by their foundress, Catherine McAuley, the Sisters have educated thousands of children and worked tirelessly wherever their help was needed.
1800s
1900s
2000s
1875
Bishop Crane requests Baggot Street, Ireland send a community of Sisters to Bendigo to provide education for the children of the goldfields.
1876
Mother Aloysius Martyn leads a group of Sisters from Swinford in Ireland to establish a mission in Bendigo. They endure a terrifying sea voyage and sweltering heat to arrive in Bendigo in January 1876. They take over the established Parish School of St Kilian's and open the St Aloysius Select School in Barkly Place.
1882-1884
Extension of the original house purchased from Mr Andrew Thunder in 1876. Building of the Chapel.
1897
Completion of the school hall and dormitories above. School reopened as St Mary’s College by Archbishop of Melbourne Most Rev Dr Thomas Carr.
1951
150 Acres purchased at Junortoun and building commenced.
1954
Opening of the cream brick building at St Mary's College on the corner of View and Barkly Streets.
1956
Acquisition of the former Abbott family home in Barkly Terrace, renamed St Catherine's.
1959
Acquisition of 'Denderah' following the death of Sir George Victor Lansell. The property is renamed Coolock House and included landscaped gardens, a tennis court and swimming pool.
1976
Opening of the two storey building and canteen facilities on Barkly Street (now known as the Kelly Building).
1983
Amalgamation of St Mary's College and Marist Brothes' College Bendigo to form Catholic College Bendigo.
1986
All year levels co-educational.
1988
Closed McCrae Street to consolidate into two campuses: Barkly Street (now known as Coolock) and Junortoun (now known as LaValla).
2001
Opening of the Science Building, La Valla.
2006
Opening of the Technology Building, La Valla.
2008
Opening of the Marian Centre, Coolock.
2011
Opening of the Agriculture, Horticulture and Labratory Skills Centre at La Valla, hosted on behalf of the Bendigo Schools Trade Training Centre Consortium.
2012
Opening of the English Learning Centre, Coolock.
2013
Catholic College Bendigo comes under the sole governance of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
2015
Official opening of the St Mary's Courtyard, Coolock.
2018
College re-named to become Catherine McAuley College, in honour of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.
2018
Campuses re-named; Coolock becomes St Mary's (located in Barkly St) and La Valla becomes Coolock (located in Junortoun)
2019
Opening of the Sister Aloysius Martyn Arts Centre, Coolock
2019
Commissioning of the newly refurbished and renamed Sister Anastasia Vanderfeen Building to house canteen, Allied Health and hospitality
2020
Introduction of iGEN - a partnership with Mercy Health, Australian Catholic University and Mercy Education, Catherine McAuley College and Bethlehem Home for the Aged offer real world experience in the aged care and health care sector.
2020
Launch of Re-Gen Program - to encourage community to work towards the school’s goal of creating a sustainable future, minimise waste, save energy and reduce our carbon footprint.
2022
Addition of the West Building at Coolock. This two-storey modular building includes 12 classrooms to accommodate Year 9 students. It enabled the removal of portables and included a dynamic play area and multipurpose courts.
2023
Opening of the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct at Coolock.
