MMCRC 40th Anniversary

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

Celebrating Our Josephite Heritage Through the Naming of Our Learning Spaces

One of the most significant initiatives of our 40th Anniversary year has been to strengthen the visible expression of our Catholic identity by naming the buildings and key spaces throughout Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College.

After an extensive process of research and consultation, I am delighted to share that Bishop Greg Bennet has endorsed the proposed names for our buildings and learning spaces. This follows valuable feedback from Fr Stanley Devasia, Parish Priest of Leongatha and Korumburra, the College Advisory Committee, and members of our staff.

Each name has been carefully chosen to reflect the purpose of the space while drawing upon our Catholic faith and the rich Josephite tradition that has shaped our College for the past forty years. Whether it is honouring the foundations of the Josephite mission in Penola, celebrating care for creation through Laudato Si', recognising the dignity of work through St Joseph the Worker, or highlighting learning, accompaniment, and God's providence, these names tell the story of who we are and what we aspire to be as a Catholic learning community.

Several significant spaces have already been named after figures familiar to our community, including the St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Chapel and Pioneer Hall. The addition of further named buildings creates a consistent identity across the College and provides opportunities for students to encounter the stories, values, and traditions that underpin Catholic education each day.

Over the coming months, we will begin designing permanent signage and interpretive displays that explain the significance of each name. These will be installed early next year before being formally blessed. In the meantime, we will begin incorporating these names into the College's everyday language so they become a natural part of our community life.

In this special 40th Anniversary section of the newsletter, you will find a guide to each of the new buildings and their space names, along with the story and symbolism behind them. I encourage you to take the time to explore these narratives. They remind us that our buildings are more than places where learning occurs—they are spaces where our Catholic faith, Josephite heritage, and educational mission are lived each day.

I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this project, particularly Nicole Dudman, whose thoughtful research and commitment have helped create a lasting legacy for our College community.

Area	Name	Comments
Hall/Gym	Pioneer Hall	Existing name in recognition of the people who were significant in the development of the school and the first students in 1986
Year 7 and 8 Building	Penola Centre	The Penola Centre honours the birthplace of the Josephite mission, where Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods began their work in education and care. Naming a Year 7–8 learning area, The Penola Centre, reflects foundations, belonging and the nurturing of young learners at the start of their secondary journey.
Art and Technology Centre, Incorporating the Trade Skills Centre	The Laudato Si’ Precinct	The Laudato Si’ Precinct reflects care for creation through creativity, sustainability and practical skill. Housing Wood, Food, Art and Technology learning, it honours the dignity of work and the responsible use of resources, inspiring students to design, make, and innovate with purpose, stewardship, and respect for God’s world.
Senior School Building	The St Joseph Learning Centre	The St Joseph the Worker Centre honours St Joseph, patron saint of workers, whose life as a carpenter exemplified humble, honest labour, integrity and responsibility in providing for the Holy Family. Reflecting the heart of the Josephite tradition, this centre is a place where learning through work is valued. As a home for VCE and VCE VM studies, it supports senior students in developing discernment, resilience, and quiet leadership, preparing them for life beyond school with purpose, dignity, and integrity.
Music Area	The Magnificat Centre	The Magnificat Centre takes its name from the Magnificat, a canticle in the Gospel of Luke (1:46–55). In this song of praise, Mary, the mother of Jesus, rejoices in God’s goodness, mercy, and faithfulness, proclaiming hope for the lowly and gratitude for God’s blessings. The name reflects the enduring connection between music, faith, and human expression. In the Josephite tradition, the arts nurture the spirit, build community, and provide a means for people to express both faith and humanity.
Lawn area between Admin and Music and Art area - option 1	The Lawn of Memory	The Lawn of Memory celebrates unity, memory and belonging. The Lone Pine stands as a sign of strength, sacrifice and continuity, while the cross-shaped paving acknowledges the generosity of the school community. Linking leadership, learning and creativity, this space embodies the Josephite call to gather as one body in Christ, remembering that faith is built through shared witness, gratitude, service and hope across generations.
Year 9 and 10 Corridor and Science Labs	The Tenison-Woods Building	Julian Tenison-Woods, priest, scientist and educator, embodied curiosity, faith and rigorous inquiry. Naming a learning space that combines science laboratories and classrooms after him honours his commitment to scientific discovery, integrated learning, and the belief that faith and reason together deepen understanding of the world.
Chapel	The St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Chapel	Named in 2016 to honour Mary MacKillop and Fr Tennison Julian Tennison Woods, who founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who established schools throughout Australia, especially in poor and rural areas. The Chapel, which was built with the generous support of families, houses with honor one of the largest relics of Mary MacKillop, obtained from her re-burial in 1993 by Mr Ed Carmody. A video of Ed Carmody explaining the history of the Chapel can be found here
Library/Learning Centre	The Providence Learning Resource Centre	The Providence Learning Resource Centre reflects the Josephite tradition of trusting in God’s guidance through learning, reflection and wisdom. It is a place of quiet inquiry and thoughtful dialogue, where students are encouraged to seek truth, grow in knowledge and develop an informed conscience. Grounded in Catholic education, the library supports students in studying with integrity, curiosity, and purpose, preparing them to serve others and contribute responsibly to the world with faith, discernment, and hope.
Main Office, Admin and Staff area	The Emmaus Centre	The Emmaus Centre draws on the Gospel story of accompaniment, listening and guidance. As the heart of administration and staff collaboration, it symbolises leadership through service, presence and discernment. The name evokes a place where the school community is welcomed, supported, and guided with care, professionalism, and faith, reflecting the mission of Catholic education.