OMNIA OMNIBUS
"All Things To All"

During 1956 three classrooms and a hall were built in an open field near Waverley Road. This was part of a 50-acre property donated to the Salesians by Miss Louisa Moroney, daughter of a well-known pioneering family in the Oakleigh district. In February 1957, Salesian College opened its doors with an enrolment of 61 students in Forms One and Two.

The staff consisted of nine Salesians, with Fr. Thomas Collinson as the first Rector and Fr. John Ayers as Prefect of Studies, who were ably supported by Fr. Bortolo Fedrigotti, Fr. Peter Lock, Fr. Robert Curmi, Fr. Joseph Colussi, Fr. Sebastian Zingali, Br. Peter Swain and Br. Joseph Pulis. Fr. Fedrigotti was to become the first Provincial of the Australian Salesian Province in 1958 and had his headquarters at Chadstone until 1964.

In those early days, the religious staff used to live at Oakleigh and came across to Chadstone every day. It was not until 1961 that a residential area was built for them, using the upstairs section of the administration block. This was used until 1986 when a new residence was built separate from the school complex.

In 1958, three new classrooms were added and the enrolment reached 110 boys with Form Three added. An Administration Block was built in 1959 and there was an enrolment of 160 boys in Forms One to Four. Tennis courts were also built that year and the oval was extended.

By 1960 there were 260 boys at the school and another Form was added. The chapel, dedicated to the memory of the Moroney family, was completed that year, along with the science rooms. In 1961, the College was catering for Form Six boys and there were 360 students. Building continued during the year and a wing with two classrooms, a kitchen, dining rooms and a shower block was added to the complex. By then the school was known as Salesian College, Chadstone.

The B.M. Fedrigotti Senior Science wing was built in 1969, and the College library plus three more classrooms were completed in 1973. In 1983 a senior wing with classrooms and administration offices was added.

In recent years the curriculum has been diversified to cater for students interested in technical careers, while Music and Drama have developed greatly. A new complex with a Music and Drama wing, an assembly hall, a gymnasium, a sick bay, and three classrooms with associated offices and stores was opened during 1988 to mark the centenary of St. John Bosco's death. This complex was officially opened by Very Rev. Fr. Egidio Vigano, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and the 7th successor of St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians.

Several years later, in 1995, a new Technology Studies Centre was also established to help bridge the gap between secondary education and the world of employment and industry. During 1998, a major upgrade of the College's Computer and Information Technology facilities and resources took place. This consisted of the construction of a new Computer Centre, Multimedia Laboratories, Minilabs and Special Education Area, as well as the provision of a Laptop Program and Intranet and Internet Access.

Over the years the College has maintained high academic standards in a faith-permeated environment. Since the College has become very multicultural in recent times, its overriding aim has been to build a synthesis of faith and culture in the lives of its students.

So from that initial small enrolment of 61 boys and nine Salesian staff-members, Salesian College has expanded to its present number of approximately 860 boys and a staff of two Salesian priests, one Salesian brother, 70 lay teachers and an administrative and support staff of 20. Of the Salesians, Fr. John Prest is Rector/Principal, Fr. Oreste Cantamessa Vice-Rector and Teacher and Br. Joseph Ellul Administrative Assistant. In addition, Fr. Tim Costelloe is Chairperson of the College Board.

There is no doubt that Salesian College, Chadstone, has enjoyed a remarkable and successful development during its first forty-eight years and has experienced a living history of "Reason, Religion and Kindness" of which everybody associated with the College can be truly proud.

We are confident that our new Year 9 Campus and the refurbished Year 9 wing the new presentation facilities will align perception with achievement, ensuring our new theme of 'a Journey of Excellence' will continue long into the future.