Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy

Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy
RMIT Building 13 (Emily McPherson College)

Emily McPherson College, circa 1930
Type college of domestic science
Active 1927–1979
(amalgamated with RMIT)
Patron HRH Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon[1]
Location Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
37°48′26″S 144°57′55″E / 37.8073°S 144.9653°E / -37.8073; 144.9653Coordinates: 37°48′26″S 144°57′55″E / 37.8073°S 144.9653°E / -37.8073; 144.9653
Nickname "Emily Mac"

The Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy was an Australian domestic science college for women, in Melbourne, Victoria.

It was officially opened on 27 April 1927 by HRH The Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.) On 30 June 1979 it became part of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and is known as Building 13 (Emily McPherson College).

History of the college

During the 1920s, Melbourne businessman Sir William McPherson donated £25,000 (≈A$1.5 million today[2]) towards the establishment of a college of domestic science exclusively for women; which was later named in honour of his wife Lady Emily McPherson.[1]

The building opened in 1927, and was designed by then state architect Evan Smith, in simplified Neo-Grec architecture and Beaux-Arts style. The Ethel Osborne Wing opened in 1950, and was designed by then state architect Percy Everett.[1]

Opening

The college, on the corner of Russell Street and Victoria Street adjacent to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, was officially opened on 27 April 1927 by HRH the Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), during a royal visit to Australia by her and her husband, HRH the Duke of York (later George VI.)[1]

The Age newspaper later estimated that a crowd of 5,000 people and dignitaries gathered outside the new college, with a guard of honour formed by students from schools as far afield as Ballarat and Bendigo, to witness the Duchess officially open the college with a gold key and unveil a commemorative plaque and bust of Lady McPherson:[1]

Dr Ethel Osborne, who had invited the Duchess to open the college, then presented her with the first diploma issued by the college stating that the Duchess "had set all Australians an example of home life".[1] Upon accepting the diploma, the Duchess thanked Dr Osborne and said "it will always be a delightful memento but one of which I am afraid I am not worthy!".[1]

Present college building

On 30 June 1979, the college was amalgamated with the nearby expanding Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Today, it remains a part of the RMIT City campus, and has been refurbished to house the RMIT Graduate School of Business.[3]

The building is registered as "significant" and a "notable building" with the Victorian Heritage Register and the National Trust of Australia.[1][4][5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology 2008
  2. ↑ Reserve Bank of Australia
  3. ↑ RMIT Property Services 2008
  4. ↑ National Trust of Australia
  5. ↑ Victorian Heritage Register

Texts:

  • Reserve Bank of Australia, Inflation Calculator, retrieved 07-10-2008  Check date values in: |access-date= (help) (see: Notes)

Notes:

  • The sum listed via the Reserve Bank of Australia is an approximation (≈) determined by inflation in Australia leading up to the year 2007, from the year 1927 (the opening of the College).
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