140 Years of Heart at 

St Joseph's College, Echuca 

A weekend to remember!

Our 140th Year Celebration Weekend in March was a truly special and memorable occasion for our St Joseph’s College community.

It was wonderful to welcome past and present students, staff and friends of the College as we honoured our rich history and celebrated our shared future.

Foundation Day was the perfect beginning -filled with joy, connection and a wonderful sense of community. From a moving liturgy to vibrant stalls and activities, the day captured the spirit of St Joseph’s. Positivity was everywhere, and it was a celebration that students and staff can be incredibly proud of.

The Gala Dinner was a highlight of the weekend, bringing together generations through storytelling, connection and celebration. A particularly meaningful moment was the presentation of the Keys to the College, recognising those whose leadership, service and impact have helped shape St Joseph’s into the community it is today.

Among those recognised were Rosemary Copeland, former principal of St Joseph’s College and current Co-Chair of the Trustees of Kildare Ministries, and the following Brigidine Sisters:

• Mother Borgia Hayden, Mother Benedict Moore, Mother Vincent Brennan and Mother Thomas Healy – the founders of our College, who travelled from Ireland to Echuca in 1886 and, within a month of arriving, opened a secondary school.
• Sr Catherine Kelly – former Principal of the College and a passionate advocate for First Nations peoples
• Sr Cecilia Merrigan – the last Brigidine Sister to live in Echuca, and someone with whom many in our community share a deep connection.

We were also deeply honoured to share this evening with Sr Cecilia Merrigan at her final official College function - a moment of great significance for our community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Brigidine Sisters, whose presence reminded us so powerfully of our heritage, and to all who travelled to be part of the celebrations. Their reflections on the growth of the College, the strength of our community spirit and the quality of our facilities were incredibly affirming.

Above all, what stood out across the weekend was the heart of our community - the relationships between staff and students, the deep sense of belonging, and the shared commitment to our mission. This spirit continues the legacy of our founders and lives on in our College today.

We also thank our dedicated staff and students whose passion, pride and hard work brought this milestone celebration to life.

As we continue through this significant year, there is so much to celebrate, acknowledge and look forward to!

Echuca farewells Sr Cecilia Merrigan: Their last Brigidine

At Mass on 19 April, parishioners at St Mary’s Echuca acknowledged and thanked Sr Cecilia for her many years of service to the parish, St Joseph's College and the wider Echuca community.  To read the Diocese of Sandhurst's article about the gathering click here.