St. Josephs College 

Echuca Education

History

• Mid 188Os: Bishop Crane, the Bishop of Sandhurst, visited Ireland in search of nuns who would found a school in Echuca. He was prompted to do this by local community pressure. Four Brigidine nuns responded to this call. He bought Apsley House (Henry Hopwood's former home) for 1000 pounds.
  
• January 4, 1886: The nuns left Tullow, in Ireland, for Echuca.
  
• March 22, 1886: The Secondary School was officially opened with eight pupils.
  
• May 4, 1886: The Boarding School opened.
• June 1886: The first postulant entered the Brigidines in Echuca.
  
• December 23, 1886: Approx. 30 pupils performed the first concert in the new Secondary School.
  
• 1888: The front building (Apsley) including the kitchen and cellar were added.
  
• 1890: Fountain erected.
  
• 1894: The Hall and classrooms were built.]
• 1896: St. Joseph's Convent became the General Novitiate (for training nuns) Victoria.
  
• 1899: Chapel built.
  
• 1940: Two classrooms added beside the Hall.
  
• 1960: Primary School was closed down and all students went to St. Mary's.
  
• 1961 and 1967: Science block and classrooms added (now part of Tullow).
  
• 1974: The West Wing (where the current Library is) was built. (215 pupils).
  
• 1975: Top floor above 1960s rooms added (included first Library).
  
• 1982: Portable classrooms, now the Art and Technology Centre purchased.
  
• 1984: Delany Wing built (Years 7 and 8 - 1999)
  
• 1993: The Convent was refurbished and turned into classrooms and office area. (i.e. the 1888 building).
  
• 1996: First Lay Principal appointed.
  
• 1998: West Wing demolished and replaced by the new library and six classrooms (Tullow.)
  
• 2000: Co-Principalship introduced.
  
• 2001: New Canteen, refurbished Staffroom and Staff Resource area.
  
• 2005: Opening of Chanel Wing (Technology, Art, Information Technology).
• 2006: Purchase of 33 Dickson Street, named Cill Dara.