Farewell to Chanel College

From humble beginnings in a stable, through four decades of change, Chanel College has closed its doors for the last time.

In 1955 the teaching order of the Marist Fathers purchased 48 acres of land at the ‘crest’ of Bell Post Hill for $40,000. They gradually worked towards establishing a Catholic college for boys in the northern region of Geelong. The Provincial of the Marist Fathers in Australia, Very Rev. Fr James Harcombe, subsequently purchased additional land and a house. When the Melbourne Olympic Games were over, he also bought a large dining hut, which was dismantled and transported to the site at Bell Post Hill. Excavations for the new school began on 15 November 1957 and work progressed rapidly.

Fr Stan Hosie was appointed Rector and Superior of the new college. It was planned to begin with First and Second Forms, day scholars and to build up to a full Matriculation school in five years. Later, a college for boarders would be constructed. (The first intake of boarders was in 1962.) Chanel College was named after St Peter Chanel – a French Marist missionary who was murdered on the Pacific Island of Futuna.

The first day of Chanel College – Thursday, 20 February 1958 – began in bleak conditions: driving rain, soggy ground and a school building that was not quite finished.

Thus lessons began in the stable for the 19 boys who attended on that first day, surrounded by chains, bridles and horseshoes. Fortunately it was only a temporary measure for two days, because by the following Monday the new school building was ready for the students. By the end of the year, enrolments had reached 54.

Strong foundations that were laid by the enthusiastic Marist Fathers, their lay staff and the parents and friends of the college, ensured that an excellent Catholic education to develop the ‘whole’ student was maintained in subsequent years. Typical of a boys’ school, sport was played with great enthusiasm and competitiveness, resulting in the many trophies displayed today. Academic achievement also extended beyond the school into the fields of debating and public speaking with great success, culminating in the winning of the ‘Herald Award’ on the television show ‘Parliament of Youth’. In the early years the ‘Firelight Festivals’ were a feature of the Chanel year. The Geelong Advertiser reported on 5 March 1962 that ‘an estimated 8000 people attended the second, and final day of the Chanel College festival on Saturday, while many more watched the Mardi Gras parade pass through Geelong on its way to the college at Bell Post Hill’. Initially intended as a fundraising activity, it contributed to the cultural activities of the college.

Expanding to over 300 students in 1961, the need for a larger property was realised, and subsequently 285 acres of land were purchased on the hill at Lovely Banks. Transition from one site to another was not easy, with boarders to accommodate as well as day students, however on 1 December 1963 the new buildings were officially opened. Chanel continued to grow over the next few years, becoming a successful school for Catholic boys’ education in the region, drawing students from surrounding rural and country areas, including Werribee, as well as from overseas. At one stage boarding student numbers reached 183.

A major decision was made by the Marists Father General, in Rome on 23 June 1970, for the Marists to withdraw from Chanel College to continue their ministry in the mission fields. This announcement shocked the Chanel community. The future of the 380 students was uncertain. Weeks of turmoil followed. Archbishop Knox was determined to keep the school open to continue Catholic education in the area, so after investigating many avenues he approached the Christian Brothers to take over the school. They eventually agreed on 13 August 1970, but with some qualifications. The boarding section of the school would be discontinued. There would be no Leaving and Matriculation classes for a time. There would be some rationalisation of numbers between St Joseph’s and Chanel. Reverend Br D. P. Carey was appointed Principal at this difficult time to guide the school into a new era. Only 220 boys from Years 5 to 10 remained to begin the new school year in 1971.

The traditions, loyalty and atmosphere, which were unique to the college, continued under the auspices of the Christian Brothers and the strong sense of community has remained to this day.

A concerted effort by the principals and the school community to ensure the growth of the school was rewarded when student numbers peaked in 1990 with an enrolment of 715 students. Temporary buildings were gradually replaced with permanent classrooms, a Manual Arts Block, a new Science Block, and a new library to cater for Years 5 to 12. A broad curriculum was offered and excellent academic results were obtained at all levels. Senior students had a wide choice of subjects when Clonard College became a shared campus. Chanel’s future seemed assured!

However, due to changing circumstances in the region over the next few years, enrolments gradually declined to 452 in 1998. The economic climate after the Pyramid collapse affected many Catholic families, and the demographics of the school’s catchment area showed a decline in school-age boys. New schools in Hoppers Crossing and Drysdale were better placed to accept students from those areas that were developing. These factors, together with an inability to fund the refurbishment and capital costs necessary to maintain the college, led the Christian Brothers to make a dramatic decision to close the college down. The announcement made on Wednesday, 18 February 1998, stunned the college community. Parents, staff and students rallied valiantly together to try every avenue to save the school, but to no avail. The decision was final! Chanel College was to close at the end of 1999.

So 1998 was a difficult year with many students, and some teachers, exiting to find places in other schools. The final year started with only 157 students left in Years 8–10, and also Year 12. Staff numbers were 27. However, the positive outlook by all concerned to ensure that 1999 would be a memorable year has been maintained until the end.

A final function, ‘Farewell to Chanel’, was held on Thursday 2 December. This formal ritual marked the closure of the college.

Chanel College has been an integral part of the education system in the Geelong region for 42 years, and particularly in the education of Catholic boys. The fine young men who have graduated from Chanel have taken their place proudly in society, contributing and outstanding in many fields, from politics to sport. The Marist Fathers, the Christian Brothers and their staff are to be congratulated on their efforts over the years, and it is unfortunate that their time with Chanel had to end.

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