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Students of SHC circa 1900
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Have a question? Contact Damascus College
An early photograph taken around 1900. The student in the front row, far left, is EiIeen Healy, who later entered the Ballarat Convent of Mercy and became Mother Bonaventure, 5th principal of SHC.
Sepia photograph of SHC students C1900
In 1993 Sacred Heart College entered both a junior and senior team in the 'Schoolaerobics' competition. The junior team won the State Championships, and both teams progressed to the Australian Championships. The junior team won the title of Junior Australian Champions.
Digital file
catholic education, aerobics, ballarat
St Paul's Technical College opened in 1948 and provided the Catholic boys of Ballarat with a place to earn their three-year Junior Technical Certificate.
junior technical certificate, catholic education, st paul's technical college, ballarat
SHC Senior class C1957 photographed in the grounds of SHC/Convent of Mercy, Ballarat.
catholic, catholic education, sacred heart college, ballarat, convent of mercy
A St Patrick's Day parade was held each year in Ballarat. The parade included decorated floats, marching bands and groups of local Catholic school children. Approximately 120 SHC students marched in uniform with military precision.
st patrick's day, ballarat, catholic, convent of mercy
Black cap worn with the St Paul's College uniform C1990
Black cap featuring St Paul's College crest
catholic education, christian brothers, technical education
St Paul's Technical College Ballarat was established in 1948. The Junior Technical Certificate was awarded after three years.
Digital image
junior technical certificate, catholic education, st paul's college, christian brothers
SHC students undertook a wide range of sporting activities as part of the curriculum. This photograph depicts fencing lessons C1936.
Digital photograph
catholic education, ballarat, sisters of mercy, fencing
Now the Damascus College Auditorium, the chapel was a modern, stylish space designed for quiet reflection.
catholic education, ballarat, st martin's in the pines
From 1949 golf became a regular part of a SHC student's week. With the junior SHC students educated at the Mount Xavier site since 1906, the land adjacent to 'Villa' as it was known, caught the eye of both keen golfer S. J. Weir and Mother Bonaventure Healy. Under their joint direction the golf course took shape, the first to be built and owned by a convent, and on any given Monday of the year could be found teeming with enthusiastic students from Sacred Heart College. Pictured centre left is Australian Minister for Immigration Arthur Calwell, whose daughter Mary attended SHC at that time.
Digital Photograph
As early as 1941, it was recognised that the people of Ballarat needed a Catholic boys technical school. When the Bishop of Ballarat, James O'Collins, established St Paul's College in 1948, he invited the Christian Brothers to continue their work through the provision of technical education. When Brother Cooke, the first Principal, opened the doors to St. Paul's Technical College, Lydiard Street, in 1948 to 55 students the Catholic boys of Ballarat finally had a place to earn their Junior Technical Certificate prior to obtaining an apprenticeship.
technical education, catholic education, ballarat
As early as 1941, it was recognised that the people of Ballarat saw a need for a Catholic boys technical school. When the Bishop of Ballarat established St Paul's College in 1948, he invited the Christian Brothers to continue their work through the provision of technical education, offering a place for Catholic boys to earn their Junior Technical Certificate prior to obtaining an apprenticeship.
technical education, catholic education
Kathleen Meagan was placed in the Ballarat Convent of Mercy as an infant. She remained there throughout her life until she died at age 34. Her friendly, cheerful personality in the face of ill health meant that she was cherished by all who knew her. Her talents on the violin, harp, piano and cello were outstanding, and she was beloved by the Sisters of Mercy and the students of Sacred Heart College. This memorial window depicting Saint Cecilia at the organ was commissioned upon her passing in 1925, and was installed in the SHC chapel and blessed by the Bishop in 1926.
Stained glass window constructed in 1926
To the memory of Kathleen Blanche Meagan RIP
sisters of mercy, ballarat musicians, herr goll
Eurythmics was developed in the early 20th century by a Swiss musician in an attempt to increase musical abilities through rhythm. The rhythmic bodily movements were designed to improve concentration as well as physical reaction time and was compulsory for students of Sacred Heart College.
eurythmics, sacred heart college, ballarat, catholic education
The Feast of the Sacred Heart was a much anticipated day on the Sacred Heart College calendar. These students are celebrating the day C1970.
feast of the sacred heart, catholic education
Early photograph of the Ballarat East Convent of Mercy - Sacred Heart College. Appearing in this image is the first brick addition to the original wooden cottage building, this addition was completed in 1890. This first brick addition to the convent was officially opened by the Bishop of Ballarat on 11th July, 1890. The new wing had been built at a cost of £1500 and demand for places in the boarding house meant that by the day of opening, tenders were already being sought for the next addition.
sisters of mercy, catholic education, ballarat, sacred heart college
Students who undertook the Pioneer Pledge vowed to abstain from alcohol and to devote themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
pioneer pledge, catholic education, ballarat, sisters of mercy
This bronze statue of St Martin de Porres was commissioned by the Sisters of Mercy for St Martin's in the Pines in 1967. Artist Ernesto Murgo was asked to embody the college motto 'Raise your eyes aloft'. The statue had a fibreglass interior overlaid in bronze.
Bronze statue of St Martin de Porres
catholic education, ernesto murgo
“The theme of the panel is education. From man’s primeval roots, and from beginnings symbolised by the two ovoid shapes, which are both basic and universal, man is raised by his natural yearning and by education towards things of the spirit; so that in the second level of the panel we see a church building and a book, a dam and the ploughed field, such diverse inventions as the crucible and the wheel, the aeroplane and the radar screen, and symbols of commerce and culture. The continuing central pillar, or tree, symbolises the life of Christ which binds together and culminates, not only in the Cross but in the full Unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
Large sculpture by artist Hans Knorr (1915-1988) symbolising humanity's growth and progress through effort, experience and education. The door panel was commissioned by the Sisters of Mercy in 1967 on the opening St Martin's in the Pines (Sacred Heart College, Senior School).
Door panel sculpted in aluminium
hans knorr, sculpture, catholic education, education
St Paul's College tie worn circa 1960s - 1980s
Royal blue tie with pale blue and gold stripe detailing
catholic education, christian brothers, uniform
This set of Stations of the Cross was created as the prayer focus for the St Martin’s in the Pines chapel by Sr Margaret Mary Batros.
Core-board plaster sheet covered with card using chisels, blow torch and wood dye.
catholic education, sisters of mercy
Artwork created by Leopoldine Memovich
Pink cover with gold inscription, torn around the edges.
non-fiction
catholic education, sisters of mercy
Menu printed for the 1965 Golden Jubilee of the SHC Old Collegians' Association Dinner
Small printed menu produced for the 1965 Golden Jubilee dinner for the SHC Old Collegians' Association
old collegians, sisters of mercy, catholic education, ballarat
non-fiction
"A new periodical to celebrate the present and remember the past" - The Road, Summer 1995
Crockery pieces used daily in the boarding houses of Sacred Heart College and St Martin's in the Pines. The pieces are stamped with 'Sacred Heart College Ballarat' underneath an image of the Lamb of God. These pieces were returned to the College after being souvenired by a graduating boarder in the 1960s.
Ceramic cup and saucer with navy and gold detail
Marked with 'Sacred Heart College Ballarat' underneath an image of the Lamb of God
boarding school, catholic education
16 page publication with colour cover and black and white images. The magazine documents the activities of the school and is an appeal to the public for building funds with the aim of raising £80,000.
non-fiction
Publication documenting the 1964 school year
ballarat, sisters of mercy, catholic education
An Ernst Leitz Wetzlar microscope (1910) used by St Paul's College students from 1948. This microscope had been safely stored by the Science department at Damascus College before being transferred to the archives in 2021. Specimens stored and used with this microscope were collected by the teaching staff and students from the local area throughout the 1950s.
Bronze and Bakelite microscope manufactured by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar in 1910
E. Leitz Wetzlar No 129200
science, biology
This navy blue felt blazer with SHC crest on pocket and blue piping with red and white pinstripe detail was worn as part of the SHC uniform from sometime during the 1950s. Prior to the 1950s students wore a plain blazer of dark material which lacked the crest and pinstripe detailing.
Navy blue felt blazer with SHC crest on pocket and blue piping with red and white pinstripe detail worn from C1950s
sisters of mercy, convent of mercy, ballarat, sacred heart college
This hat was part of the uniform of Sacred Heart College from 1952 until around 1969. It was worn with the dark blue winter tunic, blue tie, blazer and gloves.
Grey felt hat with blue ribbon and white and red pinstripe detail
sisters of mercy, uniform, convent of mercy, boarding school
Straw hat worn by students of Sacred Heart College and St Martin's in the Pines as part of the summer uniform circa 1952 - 1969
Blue straw hat with red and blue band and gold crest pin.
uniform, catholic, mercy
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
