The Geelong Presbyterian Girl’s College was founded in 1920 by local Ministers keen to see a place for girls education in Geelong with Presbyterian ideals and traditions. It was first located at ‘Roslyn’, a property on the northwest corner of Elizabeth Street (now Roebuck Street) and La Trobe Terrace also incorporating the former Newtown Ladies College.
In the search for more space the College found a new home at Morongo, a bluestone homestead at Bell Post Hill. The College relocated there in 1927 where students and staff could enjoy the open space and views over Geelong and Corio Bay.
The first Headmistress of the school, Miss Gertrude Pratt, along with the College’s founding Council, chose the school colours: navy blue, green and gold. ‘Sint Lucernae Ardentes’ (‘Let your lamps be burning’) became the
school motto emblazoned in the college crest.
After 74 years, Morongo Presbyterian Girls’ College closed in 1994. The Geelong College is custodian of Morongo records and the heritage collection formerly held by the Morongo Old Collegians Association.
For more historical information about Morongo, please click here.
Morongo Old Collegians who require their school records for any purpose can apply for a copy of those records from The Geelong College Archivist, by completing the Request for Informaton from School Records and emailing it to caroline.stok@tgc.vic.edu.au.
The Morongo Old Collegians Association Inc. (MOCA) has played a vital role in preserving the legacy of Morongo Girls’ College, demonstrating unwavering dedication to supporting students and honouring the school’s history. Since its early years, MOCA provided financial aid, scholarships, and contributions to school activities, strengthening its commitment even after the school’s closure in 1994. A lasting partnership with The Geelong College, established in 1996, ensured that the Morongo name lived on through scholarships, memorabilia, and dedicated spaces within the school. MOCA’s efforts, from commemorative projects like the Morongo Rose to supporting educational initiatives, cemented its place in keeping the Morongo spirit alive until the association disbanded in 2015.
Click here to learn more about MOCA. On this page, you will also find the Final Edition of the MOCA Newsletter (dated April 2015) and a list of MOCA Past
Presidents.
The Morongo Award was first offered in 2001 with funds raised by the Morongo Old Collegians Association Inc (MOCA).
The Morongo Rose, planted in the gardens of Mossgiel Boarding House in Noble Street, is one of the many legacies of the Morongo Presbyterian Girls College.
The Geelong College does not organise Morongo Year Group Reunions, however we can provide a list of names for a particular year group.
Every year The Geelong College hosts a lunch for Morongo Old Collegians in their Dining Hall in Talbot Street, Newtown.
The Margaret Shannon Memorial Cup is a current Geelong College award and is held in perpetuity by the College.
The Geelong College is proud to house much of the Morongo memorabilia in the Morongo Room at Mossgiel.
The Lucernian was the school magazine of the Morongo Presbyterian Girls’ College and was published from 1921 to 1994.
The Official Newsletter of Morongo Old Collegians, “The Morongo” is edited by Ann McAllister (MOC 1982) and is distributed every six months via email.
Rowing was introduced to Morongo Girls’ College in 1974 by Camping and Extra-curricular Coordinator Robert Hosie and keenly supported by Headmistress Dulcie Brookshaw.