MMCRC 40th Anniversary

This photograph is an aerial photo taken of the College grounds in 1989.

We are celebrating in 2026!

On 5 February 1986, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College welcomed its first students, a group of 67 Year 7 students led by the inaugural Principal, Mr. Ed Carmody, and 7 staff.  The inaugural students commenced their studies at a temporary campus at St. Laurence O'Toole Primary School, Leongatha, before moving to the current site in 1987.  

Below is an excerpt from the 1986 Yearbook, describing the first few days of the new college:

"Officially Mary MacKillop Regional College opened the school for students 9:00 am February 5th 1986.  What some people don't know is that two days before school started, there were no classrooms.  Panic set in. Where were the new students going to go? Were the portables going to arrive and be ready in time? At this stage, many jokes were going around "the students and teachers will have classes under the trees......." This didn't amuse our Principal, Mr. Carmody.

9:30 am Monday, 3rd of February, the first of the portables arrived, and we had a very relieved and excited Mr. Carmody.  The staff were frantically buying equipment, books, desks, furniture, even minor things like paperclips.  We had absolutely nothing in the staff-room.  Worried parents were on the phone, "whats going on?"

Books began to flood in, donated kindly by other supporting Catholic Schools, parents and friends.  By Wednesday morning we were set to start and open the new Catholic Regional College.

There are still many more things we need and things to do for the College but we only need time, money, patience and prayers."