| |
|
  |
| |
||
THE TWO SCHOOLS:
The first Catholic School was opened on the 1 st January, 1862, on the Kororoit Creek (behind Stockwell Stud). The school was a shingle roof wooden building, 40’ x 18’ with thirty-five children paying One Shilling per week tuition fees. The teacher was a layman – Mr. James Wallace who, at one time, taught at St. Mary’s Williamstown. The school closed in 1875 because of lack of numbers. It was destroyed by fire two years later.
The second Catholic School opened its doors on the 3 rd February, 1976, in Church Street, Melton, in a building comprising eight modern classrooms, an administration and staff area and a tuckshop. The Principal was, and still is, Mrs. Joan Woodhouse. It is expected that the school will, in 1978, have an enrolment of 340 pupils, and it is further expected that in the next year or so a new school will be opening in Melton South.
THE PARISH:
On Sunday 28 th May, 1972, not long after its 95 th Birthday, St. Dominic’s became a Parish Church. Fr. Donegan, from Bacchus Marsh, was appointed as Parish Priest. Fr. Donegan made his headquarters in the Southern Vestry of the Church, returning to Bacchus Marsh in the evening.
In September, 1973, Fr. Donegan moved into the new Presbytery, at the corner of Unitt Street and Smith Street. The Presbytery comprises a Parish Meeting Room, two Counselling Rooms and accommodation for a Parish Priest, a curate and a housekeeper.
On the 18 th June, 1972, a Concelebrated Mass was held in the Mechanics Hall to mark the beginning of the Melton Parish. The Celebrants were Fr. Donegan, Fr.Steele (Parish Priest of Bacchus Marsh) and Fr. William Casey (born and raised in Melton).