Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy facts for kids
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RMIT Building 13
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Emily McPherson College, circa 1930
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Other name
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"Emily Mac" |
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| Type | College of domestic science |
| Active | 1906 with a new building in 1927–1979 (amalgamated with RMIT) |
| Patron | Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon |
| Location |
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Australia
37°48′26″S 144°57′55″E / 37.8073°S 144.9653°E |
The Emily McPherson College was a special school in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It taught young women important skills for running a home. This included things like cooking, sewing, and managing a household. The college first opened in 1906.
A new, bigger building was officially opened in 1927 by the Duchess of York. She later became Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. In 1979, the college joined with RMIT University, which is a big university in Melbourne. Today, the old college building is known as RMIT Building 13.
The College's Story
The College of Domestic Science started in 1906. A young teacher named Annie Mabel Sandes was its first leader. She taught classes all day and evening. She also created the lessons, managed the building, and graded exams.
By 1911, the college began training teachers for domestic science. Students at the college even sold the meals they cooked to help raise money. Annie Sandes worked very hard. She only got a pay raise after she threatened to quit. She left in 1916 to get married. A local newspaper praised her great work.
A Special Donation
In the 1920s, a businessman from Melbourne named Sir William McPherson gave a large donation. He gave £25,000, which is about A$2.3 million today. This money was for a new college just for women. He named it after his wife, Lady Emily McPherson. Sir William McPherson had been a very important person in the government of Victoria.
The new college building opened in 1927. It was designed by Evan Smith, who was the state architect. The building had a simple, classic style. In 1941, Ruby Gainfort became the acting principal. She was known for supporting students and teachers during wartime. She stayed until 1946.
In 1950, a new part of the building called the Ethel Osborne Wing opened. It was designed by Percy Everett. The building won an award in 1930 called the RVIA Street Architecture Medal.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The college was located on the corner of Russell Street and Victoria Street. It was right next to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. The official opening happened on April 27, 1927.
The Duchess of York opened the college during a royal visit to Australia. She was with her husband, the Duke of York, who later became George VI. The The Age newspaper said that about 5,000 people gathered outside. Students from schools far away, like Ballarat and Bendigo, formed a special guard of honor.
The Duchess used a gold key to officially open the college. She also unveiled a special plaque and a statue of Lady McPherson. Dr Ethel Osborne had invited the Duchess to open the college. She gave the Duchess the first diploma from the college. Dr Osborne said the Duchess "had set all Australians an example of home life." The Duchess thanked her and said she was not worthy of such an honor.
The College Building Today
On June 30, 1979, the Emily McPherson College joined with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Today, the building is still part of the RMIT City campus. It has been updated and now houses the RMIT Graduate School of Business.
The building is considered very important. It is listed as "significant" and a "notable building" by the Victorian Heritage Register and the National Trust of Australia.
