Key 97: The University Colleges [ii]

 

In the immediate post-war environment of growth, all the residential colleges of the University added extensions and a new on-campus college for Catholic women (St Mary’s, previously in residential Parkville) was completed to the south of Newman College in 1964.

St Mary's College, with Newman College in background, 1978
St Mary's College, with Newman College in background, 1978
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1890]

St Hilda’s, a new college for women sponsored by Queen’s and Ormond Colleges, opened in the same year.

St Hilda's College
St Hilda's College
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Media Photograph Collection, Photograph No 18013]

Halls of residence were also supported including Medley Hall (opened in 1950 in the old 'Benvenuto' in Drummond Street, Carlton).

Medley Hall
Medley Hall
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Media Photograph Collection, Photograph No 17916]

Another hall of residence, International House opened in 1956, and two new colleges, the Anglican Ridley College and Baptist Whitley College were affiliated in the 1960s. Graduate House affiliated in 1972.

Few might have predicted that so soon after all this expansion the colleges would find themselves advertising for students by 1971. Student preference for more independent living left the colleges searching for a new formula - and in 1972 International House led the way with the admission of women. By the mid-1970s almost all the colleges were co-educational and the style of living more relaxed - less like a boarding school and more like a hostel.

Graduate House
Graduate House
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Media Photograph Collection, Photograph No 17899]