Decades Past
History at a Glance:
| YEAR | WHAT |
|---|---|
| 1882 | Ursuline nuns and priest arrive in Sydney from Greenwich, London, (31 August) on board Duchess of Edinburgh. Manifest and voyage details. |
| 1930 | Kerrielaw on corner of Rome, Warra, Taylor Streets (subdivisions 13-16 of Portion 81) purchased for €2000. Deposit €1000 balance in 12 months at 7%. |
| 1931 | College opened and first classes held with 17 students and 5 Ursuline Sisters (2 February). College blessed by Most Reverend James Byrne (8 February). College colours were black and gold. The badge showed a palm and an olive branch crossed under a star and surmounted by a scroll with the motto "Soli Deo Gloria" (Glory to God Alone). |
| 1933 | Extensions eastwards and south of Kerrielaw including kitchen. Blessed by Most Reverend James Byrne (5 February). (Later to become boarding staff kitchenette and toilet facilities opposite staff room.) |
| 1937 | Dining Room and Dormitory above built to the south of Kerrielaw erected under the supervision of Mr L Casey. Further extensions eastwards incorporating classrooms erected under the supervision of Mr L Casey. Queensland walnut panelling on chapel walls completed. Dr J. Madden assisted by the Rev Stanley Skeehan, blessed the new Chapel and dedicated it to St Ursula (25 November). |
| 1940 | Our Lady of Lourdes primary school opened and blessed by Bishop Roper (11 February). |
| 1943 | Past Pupils Association formed. |
| 1944 | New Recreation Hall and Sisters' accommodation built above and blessed by by Bishop Roper. Grotto built in front garden. |
| 1945 | Founding of the Past Pupils' Organisation. Australian Ursulines affiliate with the Roman Union. |
| 1946 | First Ursuline debutante ball. |
| 1947 | House on corner of Taylor and West (Paterson's) purchased and sold for removal. (Later to become tennis courts.) |
| 1948 | Erection of tennis courts on corner of West and Taylor Streets First annual Ball. |
| 1949 | House on corner of West and Rome streets (Dunsdon's) purchased and sold for removal. (Later to become Basketball Courts and Bottom Field.) |
| 1953 | Administration Block build commenced (25 November). |
| 1954 | Administration Block blessed as further extensions to east of Kerrielaw by Most Reverend William Brennan (9 April). |
| 1955 | Rome Street tennis court demolished to make way for East Wing - classrooms, dormitory, sewing room, science lab, home science room, music rooms (Later A Block up and down, Art, Media, Computing) - which were dedicated as a War Memorial (25 September). 30 Taylor Street (Clio/Margetts') purchased. Dormitory and dining extended. |
| 1956 | Gehrke home at 7 Rome Street moved to 148 Tourist Road. |
| 1957 | Cottage (known as Filey Flats) at 11 Rome Street cottage purchased to become Brescia primary school. 16 Rome Street received as a gift from relatives of one of the Nuns and sold for removal. 30 Taylor Street (Clio/Margetts') moved to 16 Rome Street. Laundry in Rome Street constructed. |
| 1958 | St Bernadette statue purchased for Grotto. Clio/Margetts' at 16 Rome Street refurbished as a Boarding House and given title of "Desenzano". First lay teachers. |
| 1959 | 9 Rome Street (Flegler's) purchased to become St Angela's primary school. Kerrielaw has new balcony built with reinforced concrete pillars. A new fence erected around tennis courts, Taylor, West and Rome Streets and also a new fence erected around the home block, on Warra and Taylor Streets, the fence on Rome Street frontage was painted to tone in to the scheme. |
| 1961 | 34 Taylor Street (Fisher's) purchased. |
| 1962 | Mother M. Agnes McDermott osu writes to Durack and Brammer, Architects and Town Planners, requesting a ground plan for possible sites for new Chapel (19 June). 32 Taylor Street (Saunders's) and 36 Taylor Street (Obst's) purchased. |
| 1963 | 32 (Saunders's), 34 (Fisher's), 36 (Honor's) Taylor Street sold for removal. Administration Block further extensions. Mother M. Agnes McDermott osu writes a letter indicating Chapel will be built by W. & J.P. Fitzpatrick (21 March). Chapel site blessed by Most Reverend William Brennan (5 August) and construction begins. First Parents' Committee meeting. |
| 1964 | Chapel constructed. Chapel blessed and officially opened (12 April). |
| 1965 | Construction of two classrooms and dormitory (A4/5, A14/15). |
| 1966 | Evans residence at 1 Rome Street (West End Cottage) purchased. (Later to become Bottom Field.) Science Block constructed with the help from Commonwealth Government and opened by Mr Schwartz, Minister for Civil Defence, and blessed by Most Reverend William Brennan (20 November). |
| 1968 | Kitchen enlarged and renovated. |
| 1971 | Co-educational arrangement with Downlands College commences. |
| 1972 | St Angela's and Brescia primary school buildings at 9 & 11 Rome Street sold for removal. |
| 1973 | 18 Rome Street purchased (to become Zano Boarding House). Deso and Zano joined by Common Room to become Desenzano Boarding House. Primary School closed. Single level Library constructed with the help from Commonwealth Government and opened by Alderman Nell Robinson, Mayor of Toowoomba, and blessed by Most Reverend William Brennan (13 October). |
| 1974 | Property on corner of Warra and Russell Streets purchased and playing field and volleyball courts constructed on site (known as McGovern's). |
| 1975 | 5 Warra Street (known as Ahlan) and adjoining house facing Rome Street purchased for Music and Art houses. |
| 1978 | Science Block extensions (S11 and S12). |
| 1979 | 12 Rome Street (Dean's residence) purchased for Boarding staff residence. First Serviam magazine published. House adjoining Ahlan renovated for Music House (St Cecelia's) and Art House (Moretto Art Centre). |
| 1980 | Theme for the year: Year of Jubilee....Christ's Year. House system of boarding introduced. The names were chosen because of the significant places of St Angela's life. Salo Boarding House and Common Room constructed above Library and extended into Administration Block. |
| 1981 | Theme for the year: "Let us learn from Him what we must for His love". (St. Angela Merici) Salo Boarding House officially opened at 50th Anniversary celebrations. Swimming Pool and Dressing Sheds constructed and blessed (3 May). |
| 1982 | Theme for the year: Success 83 Taylor Street received as a gift and used for residence for Sisters. Construction of Merici Block begins. Chapel roof re-topped. |
| 1983 | Theme for the year: United we progress and strive for success. Merici Block opened and blessed by Lordship Bishop Edward Kelly (7 May). |
| 1984 | Theme for the year: Open the door into 1984. Motto for the year: At Ursula's 1984 - We'll Open the Door. Inaugural Cross Country held. Library computerised in memory of Sr Janet Seale osu. Student newspaper, The Ursuline Observer, launched. Sister Janet Seale osu Memorial Tree (Bottlebrush) planted on front lawn outside Administration Block. |
| 1985 | 10 Rome Street purchased for Brudazzo Boarding House. Staffroom moves into old Recreational Hall. Bequest 31 Anzac Avenue (MacQuillan's) and used as a residence for Sisters at Our Lady of Lourdes. |
| 1986 | Theme for the year: Rise and Share - Let us all combine. |
| 1987 | Challenge for the year: Come one, come all, come hear the call! Staffroom extended to Upstairs Common Room (previously Sisters' accommodation rooms). Le Grezze moved to Highfields. Staircase constructed at southern end of staffroom for staff access to upstairs common room (previously Sisters' accommodation rooms). |
1988 | Theme for the year: Dare to Care. 40 Taylor Street purchased. |
| 1989 | Theme for the year: Come together - Dance. Art Rooms built. Garda Boarding House constructed and opened. Old Garda Boarding House refurbished for classrooms (A10-15, C21, C22). Administration area refurbished. Under the guidance of teacher, Mrs Tricia Power, students volunteer at St Stephen's Meals on Wheels during the Easter and June holidays. |
| 1990 | Theme for the year: Share your gifts....make a difference. Establishment of Le Grezze, Highfields. Brescia Boarding House construction begins. |
| 1991 | Theme for the year: Story telling. Brescia Boarding House opened. Old Brescia Boarding House refurbished for classrooms (A16-19). |
| 1992 | Theme for the year: Heal the world. Purchase of 4 Rome Street for dormitory staff accommodation. Extension of Merici Block. |
| 1993 | Theme for the year: New beginnings. Conversion of Salo Boarding House into Upstairs Library, Computer Area and Media facilities. Extension to Staffroom. Re-establishment of Senior School. |
| 1994 | Theme for the year: Vision. Desenzano Boarding House re-located to 10 and 12 Rome Street. Deso upgraded with common room underneath. Deborah Jean Real Memorial tree (Cape Chestnut) transplanted to 40 Taylor Street. Brudazzo Block constructed and blessed and "Vision" sculpture positioned in its foyer. Farewell garden party for College Principal, Sr Leone Pallisier osu. |
| 1995 | Theme for the year: Dare to Dance. Construction of new Kitchen, and opened and blessed by Father Tony O'Keefe. 70 West Street purchased for boarding staff accommodation. |
| 1996 | Theme for the year: Story. 2 Rome Street purchased for boarding staff accommodation. |
| 1997 | Theme for the year:The Gift Purchase of shop on corner of Rome and Warra Streets. 70 West Street sold. Assistant Principal - Business and Finance created to accommodate growing student enrolments |
| 1998 | Theme for the year: Dream Purchase of Flats 1 & 2 at 14 Rome Street. Jean Hurley Memorial Tree (Grafted Flowering Gum) planted Desenzano back yard. Bush House constructed in memory of Miss Yolande Greet (Science/Maths teacher) by Mr Clarrie Reis in Merici Courtyard. Year 9 Graphics students design and produced plans. Sr Helen Dyson osu, Assistant Principal Boarding, departs for twelve months to participate in an Ursuline Renewal program. New College banner unveiled |
| 1999 | Theme for the year: the Well. Opening of Bougainvillea Room. Refurbishment of old Dining Room and Rainbow Alley into extended staff facilities. Sr Anne Surtees osu farewelled. Inaugural Grandparents' Day and Gourmet Dinner. Delivery of new College bus. New College banner. Walkway connecting laboratories in S Block to those in M Block. |
| 2000 | Theme for the year: You Are Invited. Purchase of 6 Rome Street. Residence used as staff facilities for Arts Faculty. Purchase of Flat 3 14 Rome Street. Launch of College website www.st-ursula.qld.edu.au Compactus installed in Upstairs Resource Centre for Bookhire. Reflection pool laid in B Block courtyard celebrating 'Arts for the Millennium' (Centenary of Federation Queensland - Vision Millennium Awards funded program). |
| 2001 | Theme for the year: Tapestry. Celebration of 70 Years. Time Capsule buried outside the Chapel. Purchase of Flat 4 14 Rome Street. Closure of Desenzano Boarding House. |
| 2002 | Theme for the year: Faces of peace. Desenzano Boarding House sold for removal. Deso went to Mt Meed and Zano to Reis Road, Highfields. Jean Hurley Memorial Tree transplanted to Garda front yard. Resurfacing of Tennis Courts on corner of West and Taylor Streets. The Salo Centre Project launched (2 August). |
| 2003 | Theme for the year: Seekers and Followers of a Star. The Salo Centre blessed by Most Reverend William Morris (22 August). |
| 2004 | Symbol for the year: the Clown. Theme for the year: Life - to the Full. Refurbishment of upstairs A Block for Learning Support & Counsellor's Rooms, M11/M12 to Computer Rooms, C11/12/13 to Media areas. |
| 2005 | Symbol for the year: Hands. Retail Shop opens. Concert Grand Kawaii RX Series Piano gifted to Music Department by Ursulines in memory of Sr Margaret (Peg) Short osu. |
| 2006 | Theme for the year: Companions on the journey. Wall mural commissioned. |
| 2007 | Theme for the year: Healing our world. Kerrielaw re-roofed. |
| 2008 | Theme for the year: Become advocates of change. Merici Courtyard (Piazza) redesign blessed by Most Reverend William Morris (22 February). White Standard Roses planted in memory of Rose Bol, Lucy Wagner and Sarah Blades in front lawn rose garden. |
| 2009 | Theme for the year: Be more. Rome Street refurbishment blessed (28 August). |
| 2010 | Theme for the year: Walk in another's shoes. Refurbishments of Merici Block Home Economics kitchen. |
| 2011 | Theme for the year: Connecting with Life. Celebration of 80 years. Kerrielaw and the Hogarth Family book written by College Teacher Librarian, Sandra Searston. Camellia planted in Japanese Garden on front lawn by Year 12 students on Memory Day. English Oak tree planted on front lawn to commemorate 80 years. |
| 2012 | Theme for the year: Building Bridges. Chintoo, Itichica, Jarara, Toolangatta and Wiyu Houses become Carita, Fiducia, Speranza and Stella (13 November). Cream hat with St Ursula's band and short stripes socks introduced as part of student uniform. |
| 2013 | Theme for the year: Circles of Life. Staffroom, staff lunchroom and Administration area refurbished. |
| 2014 | Theme for the year: Go into the deep. Northern wing of Brudazzo Block is refurbished for Year 7 classrooms. Tuckshop moves to Boarders' Dining Room (the Bougainvillea Room). Science labs refurbished. Brescia Boarding House dormitory rooms refurbished. Navy hat with St Ursula's band introduced as part of student uniform. Year 12 students planted two Crabapple Trees on front lawn outside Administration Block. |
| 2015 | Theme for the year: Weaving our stories. ANZAC Garden dedicated (23 April). Reburbishment of C21/C22 Computer Rooms to Il Cielo Art Gallery (opened on 29 October). Official opening and blessing of refurbishments to staffroom, staff lunchroom, Administration area, Brudazzo Block, Science labs, Brescia Boarding House and Salo extensions by Bishop Robert McGuckin, Bishop of Toowoomba (12 November). |
| 2016 | Theme for the year: Faces of Angela. Akubra navy hat with St Ursula's band introduced as part of student uniform. New signage erected onto Administration Building, Brudazzo Block and Salo (23 May). St Angela Merici outdoor banner courtesy of Ursuline College, Ohio. "Cairndhu" at 20 Rome Street purchased. |
| 2017 | Theme for the year: From little things. Reburbishment and opening of new Languages Centre. New furniture in Garda Boarding House. Flashing safety traffic lights installed outside College in Taylor Street. Library refurbished with new carpet (December). |
| 2018 | Theme for the year: Seekers and searchers. Solar panels installed on The Salo Centre roof (2 March). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students create mural on eastern A Block wall (13 March). Refurbishments to Brescia Boarding House begin in January and are opened (17 April). Purchase of West Toowoomba Bowls Club. "Cairndhu" at 20 Rome Street demolished for green space (December). Library refurbished with new shelving, circulation desk, quiet room and paint (January). |
| 2019 | Theme for the year: Every face has a place....Serviam. Introduction of the IGNITE Gifted and Talented Program, ASPIRE Leadership Program and FACE (faith and Community Engagement) Project. Library refurbished with new shelving, circulation desk, quiet room and paint (January). 4 Rome Street removed (January). Merici Courtyard Mural created by Ms Margaret Isaac. |
| 2020 | Theme for the year: Every face has a place....Serviam. Learning from home during COVID-19 2020 Hope Campaign Framed images of College Principals, Superioresses and Prioresses created. Installation of traffic speed indicator in Rome Street (Term 1). Establishment of green space on western side of Brudazzo Block (20 Rome Street) and fence erected. Refurbishment of Boardings' Dining Room (May). 2 Rome Street sold for removal (July). Flats at 107 West Street (cnr Rome and West Streets) demolished (17 July). |
| 2021 | Theme for the year: Every face has a place...Serviam. College receives keys to West Toowoomba Bowls Club (2 March). New furniture in College tuckshop/Bougainvillea Room lounge area. |
| 2022 | Theme for the year: Every face has a place...Serviam. Demolition of West Toowoomba Bowls Club (began 8 January). Carpet removed from The Salo Centre bleachers and replaced with laminated board (June/July). Air conditioning of Science classrooms (June/July). |
| 2023 | Theme for the year: Every face has a place...Serviam. College Principal, Mrs Tanya Appleby, farewelled (12 September). Winner of the Australian Boarding School of the Year national award. |
| 2024 | College Principal Mrs Deidre Young welcomed (January) First Liverpool Football Club International Academy Australia High-Performance School in Queensland (28 August) |
To find out more about our College's history make an appointment with the Resource Centre staff to visit the College Archives.
Disclaimer - While every effort is made to ensure that information or data provided on this site is accurate and current, it is only intended as Archival reference.