The evening began with self-guided tours, as groups of classmates wandered through familiar spaces, sharing stories—some long held, others rediscovered. It was a joy to witness alumni from all generations reconnecting, joined by beloved former staff, including past principal Br Peter Richardson.
A highlight of the night was the impressive Year 9 Innovation Creation project exhibition. The students’ creativity and dedication shone through in their diverse works, ranging from intricate stone and wood creations to delicious culinary offerings, beautiful jewellery, music, and thought-provoking social justice initiatives. Particularly special were the projects inspired by the Canterbury Road campus itself—such as a reimagined Monopoly board featuring iconic campus locations and 9@Rice experiences, and a meticulously crafted 3D digital reconstruction of the entire campus in Minecraft.
The evening concluded with a moving farewell ceremony. Principal Peter Morgan reflected on the campus’ significance, followed by touching memories and insights shared by alumni Brian Kavanagh and Year 9 student Lottie McCosh. A heartfelt prayer service led by Jacinta Skilbeck and a blessing from Fr. Patrick Mugavin provided a fitting conclusion, leaving all in attendance with a deep sense of gratitude and unity.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit . . .
Loving God, we come before you today with hearts full of gratitude.
As we gather to bid farewell to this site, we pause to acknowledge the past, the people who have walked these grounds, our achievements and challenges and the time we have spent together.
We remember the spirit of Edmund Rice, who once wrote: ‘give to the poor in handfuls’.
His was not a simplistic, hand-out approach to the poor. He worked tirelessly to gain justice for the poor, and his vision was to uplift the poor through education, so that they could live their lives with dignity and not be dependent on the charity of others.
We remember and pray for the Catholic community of Warrnambool, people who showed determination and solidarity to fight for what they believed in, to create a faith based education for their children, which has enabled generations to flourish.
The spirit of Edmund Rice calls us to look beyond ourselves, to reach out to others, and to make a difference in the world through our actions.
May Emmanuel College continue to be inspired by his vision, helping us to grow in faith, hope, and love.
We acknowledge that for some, school was not the peaceful or inspiring place that Edmund envisioned.
Help us to always reach out with compassion and love to those who have suffered and who continue to suffer, and stand with them in solidarity as they continue to seek justice and peace.
As we step out onto new ground, may our courage be ignited to trust the promise of a new path.
May we take time to reflect, to be grateful for what was learned and what was accomplished.
May we take time to celebrate the new beginning and be optimistic and hopeful for what is to come.
May we continue to walk in the light of Christ, guided by the strength of our shared mission.
As we look to the future, we hold onto the hope of ‘Emmanuel – God is with us’.
We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Our Farewell to Canterbury Road marked the end of an era—but also the beginning of new chapters yet to unfold.
2025 marks 153 years since Mother Philomene Maguire and her seven companions left their lives, their homes and their families in Ireland and sailed 24,000 kilometres arriving in Warrnambool in 1872 to establish a convent in what was Wyton House, and the school we know today as Emmanuel College.
The story will be familiar to many of you repeated as it was across the state and the length and breadth of this nation, by women and men who answered a call to deliver the transforming power of education within newly established towns and communities. Groups of courageous women and men who, sacrificing personal interest and conquering any fears they may have had, caused Catholic schools to be born in communities like ours and provided opportunities for education that were otherwise unavailable.
The story of Edmund Rice is no different. Born in county Kilkenny, Ireland in 1762, he moved to Waterford where following a series of tragic personal circumstances, he devoted his life and his family’s wealth to educating the poor and the marginalised. Like Catherine McAuley in nearby Dublin, he was joined by others who were inspired by his vision and his mission of compassion for the poor. Again, like Catherine, his work with the poor and the marginalised spread their reach across the globe, including Warrnambool. We have Brother Egan to thank for bringing the spirit of Edmund Rice to Warrnambool and today we celebrate the story and the spirit of Edmund in naming this new centre of learning the Edmund Rice Centre.
Today though is about more than a building. Today is about recognising and celebrating what is possible when a community comes together with a goal and the drive to bring an idea to life. The construction of this building was the next step in the college masterplan. The decision, however, to locate the Edmund Rice Centre here rather than in Canterbury Road on the site of the former CBC or Rice Campus, was itself a major decision. Relinquishing a site that has been the home of learning for 122 years was not an easy decision. But the completion of this new facility proves beyond doubt the right decision was made. In this location the College has gained more than classrooms. It has enabled the consolidation of the Emmanuel school community. It has removed the need for staff and students to travel between campuses, and, for parents, it means their children are no longer separated between sites although attending the same school.
Today though is about more than a building. Today is about recognising and celebrating what is possible when a community comes together with a goal and the drive to bring an idea to life.Peter Morgan | Principal
The completion of this project also brings us one step closer to realising the goal of being the leading provider of secondary education in Southwest Victoria. Of course, a goal to be the best, and projects like this one, come with a significant cost. We are indebted to the Federal Government for their financial support of $2 million. Senator Ciccone, as the representative of your government today, I ask you to please convey our thanks and deep appreciation to your government for its support. Your viewing of the project will confirm the governments’ funding has been carefully utilised, creating contemporary learning spaces where staff and students may work and learn and create their futures together.
Under the auspice of the Emmanuel College Foundation, the Capital Appeal Committee, chaired by Brian Brown has raised over $1million for this project. Combined with the contribution of every family through the annual building levy, this project epitomises community participation and support. Brian Brown is unable to be with us today, but he has asked me to acknowledge the members of the Appeal Committee: Leanne Mugavin, Anthony Mahony, Gerard Tobin, Alison Byrne, Vicki Jellie AM, Glenys Phillpot OAM, and Steve Callaghan. Brian acknowledges the magnificent generosity of the donors and supporters and together and on behalf of the Emmanuel community, we thank every donor and supporter of this project.
There is one individual whom we wish to pay tribute to this morning: the late Colin McKenna. A student of CBC, Colin concluded school in 1968. His story of achievement will be well known to most in this audience. His family and the company he forged, The Midfield Group, have been the largest supporters of capital works undertaken by Emmanuel College in the last 10 years, and his early support enabled the establishment of the Emmanuel College Foundation. We are indebted to Colin and pleased to recognise the indoor court space as the Colin McKenna Auditorium. It is our hope the work ethic and the values displayed by Colin, notably his generosity, may be an inspiration to the young people who live and learn in this environment.
We also recognise the College Advisory Council, and its Building and Finance Committees, whose expertise and support provided encouragement and guidance to consolidate the College on this site and to undertake these works. I thank the architectural practice of Baldasso Cortesse and their principal architects Tim Pyke, Shirley Cooper and Joel Harbour, and landscape architect Lyndsay Fraser, for their design expertise and project administration skills that have created this beautiful building.
Thank you to project manager, Emma Banner, who displayed continuous determination to achieve the best outcome for the College. Thank you to Business Manager Stephen Kerr who worked tirelessly to minimise the impact of a major project on a fully operational school site while juggling the budgetary demands of such a significant project. I acknowledge Nicholson Constructions for delivering this project and their team who were invested, professional and amenable during every phase of the project.
To conclude, I want to acknowledge that the choice of name for this new building was both sensitive and important to this community. The Canterbury Road campus was in many ways the last visible link to Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers within this community. While the Emmanuel College is now governed by Mercy Education and seeks to bring to life the story and charism of Catherine McAuley in our daily school life, the path to this place is a story of two schools, two histories and two charisms. Recognising the life and the spirit of Edmund Rice in the name of this building ensures the part played by the Brothers in providing Catholic education in Warrnambool remains tangible. It is my pleasure to invite Senator Ciccone to officially open the Edmund Rice Centre.
Guests then heard from Victorian Senator, Raff Ciccone who along with 2025 College Captains, officially opened the Edmund Rice Centre before Bishop Paul Bird addressed the audience and blessed the new building, staff and students.
Formalities concluded with students Luke Robson and Carys Gebert sharing their Year 9 @ RICE Innovation Creation Project completed in 2024 with the audience, before current students Gemma Crowe and Maya Furphy shared their gratitude and appreciation for the opportunities provided to them as students learning in the new building.
