On Friday, 9 and Saturday, 10 August, staff, students and alumni came together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Merici College with sellout concerts. Both evenings were a resounding success with crowds showing their support for the various acts and performances. The concerts were designed to showcase Merici’s history over the past 60 years, including its journey from Canberra Catholic Girls’ School through to Merici College today.

When Merici College was officially opened by His Grace Archbishop O’Brien on Sunday, 22 March, 1959, the school was the first Catholic secondary college for girls in Canberra. Merici was, and still is, unique as it broke with the custom of the time, with founding staff from six Orders of nuns and drawing from the Charisms of each when establishing itself as an Archdiocesan school.

Guests immensely enjoyed the walk down memory lane of Merici College’s history, revisiting each decade through dance, music, drama performances, alumni reflections and current students highlighting life at Merici College.

Students also gained valuable lessons from the experience. “It was such a great night, so much history in one place. I really enjoyed the dance performances and the fashion parade”, Merici student Christine said.

Chloe, another Merici student said, “The reflections from ex-students that covered each decade were really good. I learned a lot about Merici and what it was like many years ago.”