St Joseph’s College Echuca principal Anne Marie Cairns is ready to celebrate the school’s 140th anniversary.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Celebrations will be held at St Joseph’s College this weekend as the school marks its 140th anniversary.
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The school was founded on March 22, 1886, by the Brigidine Sisters, who travelled from Ireland to settle in Echuca.
In its early years, the college operated as a boarding school, providing education to a small group of students.
Today, enrolments have grown to more than 1000 students.
College principal Anne Marie Cairns said the school’s commitment to providing high-quality education for all had been a key factor in shaping its legacy.
“We have continued to deliver a high-quality education for 140 years to everybody,” she said.
“Everyone likes a celebration, so we don’t want to miss out on that, but it really is about that continued quality learning and teaching that we’ll continue into the future, in this region, in this area.
“If you look at the statistics and the data in terms of what St Joseph's has continued and consistently done — it's pretty phenomenal.”
While the weekend will celebrate the school’s growth, it will also honour the Brigidine Sisters and their work as educators over the years.
Many of the sisters will return to mark the milestone alongside Sister Cecilia Merrigan, the last of the sisters based in Echuca.
Ms Cairns said it was a privilege to recognise their contribution.
“It’s the school's 140th anniversary, but it’s also the anniversary of the Brigidine Sisters in Victoria. We were their flagship school,” she said.
“So I feel quite privileged to be able to honour the sisters, and I hope that we really do that over the next few days and really do it well.”
Sister Cecilia Merrigan and St Joseph’s college principal Anne Marie Cairns.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Celebrations will begin on Friday, March 27, with a Foundation Day liturgy and fair for students and staff, featuring a range of stalls run by students.
On Saturday, March 28, the wider community is invited to join the festivities.
Campus tours will be held at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm, with the unveiling of the refurbished courtyard at noon.
Sister Cecilia Merrigan will also lead a Brigidine remembrance ritual at Echuca Cemetery from 2.30pm.
The day will conclude with a gala dinner at the college from 6pm to 11pm, with around 200 people expected on the night, including alumni and special guests travelling from afar to attend.
Celebrations will wrap up on Sunday, March 29, with an 11am Mass at St Mary’s Parish in Echuca.
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