Early Days at Windsor

When the founding Presentation Sisters disembarked from the SS Great Britain, 21st December 1873, they were met by Fr. J. F. Corbett and driven by horse and carriage to St Mary's Presbytery.

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During 1874 the Sisters and classes for twenty-three senior girls were housed in the presbytery. One hundred and twenty primary pupils were taught in the church. This school was financed from parish funds, a situation relieved by the arrival of the Christian Brothers' five years later.

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Durign 1874, Fr Corbett wrote of having arranged for the purchase of a property for the nuns at a cost of $2,500. In 1875 sisters and students moved across Dandenong Road into 'Turret Lodge',  and shortly afterwards, the first of the present buildings, traditionally referred to as 'the grey stone building', was erected, slightly north-west of the house, for primary classes.

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Turret Lodge was a charming residence but not practical for school use. In the 1880ss, the first section of the more functional convent building we know today was constructed. The Sisters moved into this block of the present convent in 1884.

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from the Book

"Presentation College Windsor"

1873 - 2013