Mount Lilydale Mercy College: A Legacy of Education and Community
Mount Lilydale Mercy College (MLMC), situated in Lilydale, Victoria, Australia, stands as an independent co-educational secondary school with a rich history rooted in the values of the Sisters of Mercy. Founded in 1896, the college has evolved from humble beginnings to a prominent educational institution, offering a comprehensive curriculum and fostering a strong sense of community. The location of the school is 120 Anderson Street, Lilydale, Victoria 3140 Australia. The coordinates are 47°11′31″N 52°50′15″W.
The Founding and Early Years
The story of Mount Lilydale Mercy College begins with the Sisters of Mercy, whose dedication to education and service has left an indelible mark worldwide. Fifteen years earlier, in 1846, the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in Perth from Ireland. One of these pioneering women was Ursula Frayne who brought with her the vision of Catherine that they should be living witnesses of God's mercy in a new world. The Sisters of Mercy continue to provide education, health care, social services and ministries across 43 countries today. Following the establishment of a convent at Mansfield in 1846, a branch house was opened in Lilydale in 1896. When the Sisters arrived in January of that year, neither the convent nor school had been prepared for them, but the local Parish Priest vacated his presbytery and, for the first four months, school was carried out in the basement of the presbytery. This exemplifies the commitment and resourcefulness that would characterize the college's early years. The Parish Priest, Rev A Hennessy bought a property of 33 acres and on 15 November 1896, the foundation stone of the convent and the boarding school was laid. As soon as the first stage of the building was ready, the Sisters took up residence on what is now known as Mount Lilydale Mercy College.
In 1905, Mount Lilydale College (as it was called then), was granted primary registration. In 1938, the high school received full recognition as a secondary college. From these beginnings, the College flourished as a primary, secondary, boarding and day school for students. In 1944, a two-roomed junior school was built nearby. In April 1962, and in November 1965, the present north and south wings of the McAuley Campus were opened. In February 1964, the tennis courts were laid, and officially opened by Archbishop Knox. The Library and Science block were constructed in 1970. During 1973 a committee was formed to address the need for development of a boys’ secondary school to meet the growing demands in the area.
Academic Programs and Curriculum
Mount Lilydale Mercy College offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of its students. The college's motto, "Omnia Cum Deo" (All with God), reflects its commitment to providing a values-based education that nurtures the spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth of each student. Mount Lilydale Mercy College offers the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) to students at Year 11 and 12 Level. High achieving Year 10 students are also given the opportunity to undertake one VCE subject at Year 11 level (Units 1 and 2).
Facilities and Infrastructure
During the past 41 years there has been a major transformation in the College facilities with further building works proposed as a result of the new College Master Plan.
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ResourceSmart School Awards
MLMC celebrates being named a finalist in four categories of the 2024 ResourceSmart Schools awards! Join us in extending a huge congratulations to Mr. Andrew Feher, nominated for Secondary Teacher of the Year! Finalists from 22 schools around Victoria are in the running across 12 award categories. MLMC is a finalist in the ‘Campus Infrastructure and Operations School of the Year’ category and also the ‘Curriculum Leadership School of the Year’ category. MLMC is also in the running for the ‘Community Leadership School of the Year’ award. This category recognises schools that best demonstrate a commitment to community leadership through the encouragement of innovative sustainability practices and action on climate change. In 2024 the awards celebrate their 15th anniversary. Fittingly the theme for 2024 is ‘Legendary Legacies - what will you leave behind?’ Tomorrow’s leaders have arrived. “The College is very excited to be nominated for these awards,” Mr Feher said. 2023 Environment Prefect Sophie M summed up this sentiment best: “I am grateful to have found a large community of like-minded individuals who share a common goal of reducing our school's impact on our local and extended environment.
Mercy Organizations
Mercy Organisations Sisters of Mercy and partners-in-Mercy respond to the needs of today in a variety of ministries across the globe, providing services that are contemporary expressions of the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. The Mercy Education System of the Americas (MESA) is an international system of Mercy education ministries with ministries located in Argentina, Belize, Guam, Honduras, Jamaica, the Philippines, and the United States. As reflected in the first Spirit of the Institute, Mercy Education System holds in trust the ministries of MESA and places its work in the tradition of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley. Mercy education ministries, the ministries of MESA, though geographically diverse, share a common heritage, legacy and mission. Committed to meeting current needs Mercy education remains a vital component of the works of the Sisters of Mercy. The mission of MESA through its governance and service components upholds this commitment.
A list of Mercy Organizations includes: Sisters of Mercy and partners-in-Mercy respond to the needs of today in a variety of ministries across the globe, providing services that are contemporary expressions of the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Submit an OrganisationSubmit an OrganisationThank you for your message.Error while submitting the form. We may need to contact you regarding your submission. Clare, IrelandColegio Santa EthneaArgentinaCollaborative Center for JusticeUnited StatesCollege MisericordiaDallas, TexasCollege of Saint MaryOmaha, NebraskaConference for Mercy Higher EducationUnited StatesConvent of Mercy AcademyJamaicaCranaleith Spiritual CenterUnited StatesCristo Rey Sacramento High SchoolUnited StatesDamascus CollegeBallarat East, VictoriaFraynework MultimediaAustraliaGeorgian Court College - LakewoodLakewood, New JerseyGwynedd Mercy Academy High SchoolUnited StatesGwynedd Mercy UniversityUnited StatesGwynedd-Mercy Academy ElementaryUnited StatesHoly Cross High SchoolPhilippinesHoly Family Senior SchoolIrelandHouse of MercyUnited StatesInfant of Prague Catholic Nursery and KindergartenGuamInstitute of Law and Religious LifeDallas, TexasMacKillop Family ServicesAustraliaMarist Regional CollegeBurnie, TasmaniaMary Immaculate Secondary SchoolLisdoonvarna, Co.Clare, IrelandMary Wickham Poetry and SpiritualityAustraliaMater Christi SchoolBurlington, VermontMater Health ServicesAustraliaMater Private HospitalDublin, IrelandMcAuley High School NZAuckland, New ZealandMcAuley ImagesUnited StatesMcAuley MinistriesUnited StatesMercedes CollegePerth, Western AustraliaMercedes College SpringfieldSpringfield, South AustraliaMercy AcademyUnited StatesMercy Associates - in England, Scotland and WalesUnited KingdomMercy Career and Technical High SchoolPhiladelphia, United StatesMercy Catholic CollegeChatswood, AustraliaMercy Center Bronx NYBronx, NYMercy Center at MadisonMadison, ConnecticutMercy Center for WomenPennsylvaniaMercy Center on AgingPennsylvaniaMercy Centre New JerseyUnited StatesMercy Centre for Ecology and JusticeSt. John’s, Newfoundland and LabradorMercy CollegeCoburg, AustraliaMercy CollegeMirrabooka, Western AustraliaMercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines, IowaMercy Continuing CareUnited StatesMercy EcocommunicationsCarlton North, Victoria, AustraliaMercy EcologyCumberland, Rhode island USAMercy Family ServicesQueensland, AustraliaMercy FarmBenson Vermont, USAMercy FoundationAustraliaMercy General Health PartnersMuskegon, MichiganMercy HavenNew York, United StatesMercy Health & Aged CareAustraliaMercy Health SystemConshohocken, PennsylvaniaMercy Heights Catholic Nursery & KindergartenTamuning, GuyanaMercy High SchoolSan Francisco, United StatesMercy High School BaltimoreBaltimore, MarylandMercy High School BurlingameBurlingame, CaliforniaMercy High School Farmington HillsFarmington Hills, MichiganMercy High School MiddletownMiddletown, ConnecticutMercy High School OmahaOmaha, NebraskaMercy Home for ChildrenBrooklyn, NYMercy Hospital DunedinAotearoa New ZealandMercy HousingDenver ColoradoMercy Junior CollegeMindanao, PhilippinesMercy Law Resource CentreIrelandMercy McAuley High SchoolCincinnati, United StatesMercy Medical Center - BaltimoreMaryland, United StatesMercy Medical Center - Cedar RapidsIowa, United StatesMercy Medical Center - DubuqueDubuque, IowaMercy Medical Center - North IowaNorth IowaMercy Ministries of LaredoLaredo, TexasMercy MontessoriCincinnati, United StatesMercy PedalersUnited StatesMercy Volunteers CorpsGwynedd Valley, PAMercy Works IncParramatta, AustraliaMercyhurst Prep High SchoolErie City, PennsylvaniaMercyhurst University,United StatesMercymount Country Day SchoolCumberland, MarylandMerion Mercy AcademyMerion Station, PennsylvaniaMisericordia/Heart of MercyChicago, United StatesMonte Sant' Angelo Mercy CollegeNorth Sydney, New South WalesMother McAuley Liberal Arts High SchoolChicago, United StatesMount Aloysius CollegeCresson, PennsylvaniaMount Lilydale Mercy CollegeVictoria, AustraliaMount Mercy AcademyBuffalo, United StatesMount Mercy CollegeCedar Rapids, IowaMount Saint Mary Academy Little RockUnited StatesMount Saint Mary Academy WatchungUnited StatesMount Saint Mary Catholic High SchoolUnited StatesMount Saint Michael Secondary SchoolClaremorris, Co. Mayo, IrelandMount St. Joseph Preparatory SchoolJamaicaMount de Sales AcademyMacon, GeorgiaMuffles College High SchoolBelizeNga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of MercyNew ZealandNotre Dame High SchoolElmira, New YorkOur Lady of Mercy AcademyUnited StatesOur Lady of Mercy College - HeidelbergVictoria, AustraliaOur Lady of Mercy College - ParramattaAustraliaOur Lady of Mercy School for Young WomenUnited StatesOur Lady of Mercy WaterfordIrelandOur Lady of Wisdom Health Care CenterNew Orleans, United StatesOur Lady's Grammar SchoolNewry, Northern IrelandPittsburgh MercyUnited StatesPlace of Mercy and HopeSouth AfricaProject H.O.M.EPhiladelphia, PAProvidence Row Homeless CentreUnited KingdomSacred Heart CollegeKyneton, AustraliaSacred Heart College GeelongAustraliaSacred SpacesSingleton, NSWSacred Spaces SingletonAustraliaSaint Catharine AcademyBronx, United StatesSaint Catherine AcademyBelizeSaint Joseph College - ConnecticutUnited StatesSaint Joseph College - West HartfordUnited StatesSaint Joseph Mercy Health SystemAnn Arbor, MichiganSaint Joseph's CollegeStandish, MaineSaint Xavier UniversityChicagoSalve Regina UniversityNewport, Rhode IslandSancta Maria CollegeIrelandSanta Maria CollegePerth, AustraliaSchool of Saint John the BaptistPhilippinesSisters Academy of BaltimoreBaltimore, United StatesSisters of MercyNewfoundland, Newfoundland and LabradorSisters of Mercy Health SystemSt. Louis, MissouriSisters of Mercy ParramattaParramatta, New South WalesSisters of Mercy Urgent CareAsheville, North CarolinaSisters of Mercy Urgent Care's Catherine McAuley Mercy FoundationUnited StatesSt Aloysius CollegeNorth Melbourne, AustraliaSt Aloysius CollegeAdelaide, South AustraliaSt Brigid's CollegeLesmurdie, Western AustraliaSt Catherine's CollegeWellington, New ZealandSt Joseph's Catholic Secondary SchoolTulla, Co. Clare, IrelandSt Joseph's CollegeMildura, North-West VictoriaSt Joseph's Primary SchoolAustraliaSt Mary Academy - Bay ViewRiverside, Rhode IslandSt Mary'sHandsworth, BirminghamSt Mary's College WellingtonNew ZealandSt Mary's College, AucklandAotearoa New ZealandSt Mary’s CentreHandsworth, United KingdomSt Mary’s Health Care SystemAthens, GeorgiaSt Saviour'sToowoomba, QueenslandSt Vincents & Mercy Private HospitalEast Melbourne, VictoriaSt. Anne's Secondary SchoolCo. Tipperary, IrelandSt. Catharine's ConventEdinburgh, ScotlandSt. John Bosco Career Advancement InstituteJamaicaSt. Leo’s CollegeCo. Carlow, IrelandSt. Mary's Secondary School NenaghIrelandSt. Mary's Secondary School NewportNewport, Co. Mayo, IrelandSt. Non’s Retreat CentreUnited KingdomSt. Dublin, IrelandThe Congregation of the Sisters of MercyIrelandThe Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of AustraliaAustraliaThe Mercy Foundation LimitedWollstonecraft, New South WalesThe Sisters of Mercy of the AmericasSilver Spring, MarylandTrocaire CollegeBuffalo, New YorkUniversity of Detroit MercyDetroit, MichiganUrsula Frayne Catholic CollegeAustraliaVilla Maria CollegeNew ZealandVincent de PaulNew ZealandWaiatarua Mercy, ParklandsAotearoa New ZealandWaldron Mercy AcademyMerion Station, PennsylvaniaWalsingham AcademyUnited StatesWell of MercyHamptonville, North CarolinaWomen at the WellUnited KingdomWomen of Colon Walking Together (MUCEC)Colon, Republic of PanamamercyFirstSyosset, New YorkMercy Education System of the AmericasUnited StatesAcademy of Mary ImmaculateAustraliaAcademy of Our Lady of Mercy - Lauralton HallMilford, ConnecticutAdderton: house & heart of mercyAustraliaAll Hallows SchoolAustraliaAlpha Infant SchoolJamaicaAlpha Primary SchoolJamaicaAquinas CollegeAshmore, QueenslandAranmore Catholic CollegeLeederville, Western AustraliaArdscoil Mhuire CorballyLimerick, IrelandAssumption High SchoolLouisville, KentuckyBunbury Catholic CollegeAustraliaCarlow UniversityUnited StatesCarmel CollegeAuckland, New ZealandCatherine McAuley CollegeAustraliaCatherine McAuley High SchoolWestmead, NSWColaiste MuireEnnis, Co. Clare, IrelandColegio Santa EthneaArgentinaCollaborative Center for JusticeUnited StatesCollege MisericordiaDallas, TexasCollege of Saint MaryOmaha, NebraskaConference for Mercy Higher EducationUnited StatesConvent of Mercy AcademyJamaicaCristo Rey Sacramento High SchoolUnited StatesDamascus CollegeBallarat East, VictoriaGeorgian Court College - LakewoodLakewood, New JerseyGwynedd Mercy Academy High SchoolUnited StatesGwynedd Mercy UniversityUnited StatesGwynedd-Mercy Academy ElementaryUnited StatesHoly Cross High SchoolPhilippinesHoly Family Senior SchoolIrelandInfant of Prague Catholic Nursery and KindergartenGuamInstitute of Law and Religious LifeDallas, TexasMarist Regional CollegeBurnie, TasmaniaMary Immaculate Secondary SchoolLisdoonvarna, Co.Clare, IrelandMater Christi SchoolBurlington, VermontMcAuley High School NZAuckland, New ZealandMercedes CollegePerth, Western AustraliaMercedes College SpringfieldSpringfield, South AustraliaMercy AcademyUnited StatesMercy Career and Technical High SchoolPhiladelphia, United StatesMercy Catholic CollegeChatswood, AustraliaMercy CollegeCoburg, AustraliaMercy CollegeMirrabooka, Western AustraliaMercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines, IowaMercy Heights Catholic Nursery & KindergartenTamuning, GuyanaMercy High SchoolSan Francisco, United StatesMercy High School BaltimoreBaltimore, MarylandMercy High School BurlingameBurlingame, CaliforniaMercy High School Farmington HillsFarmington Hills, MichiganMercy High School MiddletownMiddletown, ConnecticutMercy High School OmahaOmaha, NebraskaMercy Junior CollegeMindanao, PhilippinesMercy McAuley High SchoolCincinnati, United StatesMercy Ministries of LaredoLaredo, TexasMercy MontessoriCincinnati, United StatesMercyhurst Prep High SchoolErie City, PennsylvaniaMercyhurst University,United StatesMercymount Country Day SchoolCumberland, MarylandMerion Mercy AcademyMerion Station, PennsylvaniaMonte Sant' Angelo Mercy CollegeNorth Sydney, New South WalesMother McAuley Liberal Arts High SchoolChicago, United StatesMount Aloysius CollegeCresson, PennsylvaniaMount Lilydale Mercy CollegeVictoria, AustraliaMount Mercy AcademyBuffalo, United StatesMount Mercy CollegeCedar Rapids, IowaMount Saint Mary Academy Little RockUnited StatesMount Saint Mary Academy WatchungUnited StatesMount Saint Mary Catholic High SchoolUnited StatesMount Saint Michael Secondary SchoolClaremorris, Co. Mayo, IrelandMount St. Joseph Preparatory SchoolJamaicaMount de Sales AcademyMacon, GeorgiaMuffles College High SchoolBelizeNotre Dame High SchoolElmira, New YorkOur Lady of Mercy AcademyUnited StatesOur Lady of Mercy College - HeidelbergVictoria, AustraliaOur Lady of Mercy College - ParramattaAustraliaOur Lady of Mercy School for Young WomenUnited StatesOur Lady of Mercy WaterfordIrelandOur Lady's Grammar SchoolNewry, Northern IrelandPlace of Mercy and HopeSouth AfricaSacred Heart CollegeKyneton, AustraliaSacred Heart College GeelongAustraliaSaint Catharine AcademyBronx, United StatesSaint Catherine AcademyBelizeSaint Joseph College - ConnecticutUnited StatesSaint Joseph College - West HartfordUnited StatesSaint Joseph's CollegeStandish, MaineSaint Xavier UniversityChicagoSalve Regina UniversityNewport, Rhode IslandSancta Maria CollegeIrelandSanta Maria CollegePerth, AustraliaSchool of Saint John the BaptistPhilippinesSisters Academy of BaltimoreBaltimore, United StatesSt Aloysius CollegeNorth Melbourne, AustraliaSt Aloysius CollegeAdelaide, South AustraliaSt Brigid's CollegeLesmurdie, Western AustraliaSt Catherine's CollegeWellington, New ZealandSt Joseph's Catholic Secondary SchoolTulla, Co. Clare, IrelandSt Joseph's CollegeMildura, North-West VictoriaSt Joseph's Primary SchoolAustraliaSt Mary Academy - Bay ViewRiverside, Rhode IslandSt Mary's College WellingtonNew ZealandSt Mary's College, AucklandAotearoa New ZealandSt Saviour'sToowoomba, QueenslandSt. Anne's Secondary SchoolCo. Tipperary, IrelandSt. John Bosco Career Advancement InstituteJamaicaSt. Leo’s CollegeCo. Carlow, IrelandSt. Mary's Secondary School NenaghIrelandSt. Mary's Secondary School NewportNewport, Co. Louis, MissouriSisters of Mercy Urgent CareAsheville, North CarolinaSisters of Mercy Urgent Care's Catherine McAuley Mercy FoundationUnited StatesSt Mary’s Health Care SystemAthens, GeorgiaSt Vincents & Mercy Private HospitalEast Melbourne, VictoriaTe Korowai Atawhai Mercy Hospice, AucklandAotearoa New ZealandThe Children's University HospitalCo. Dublin, IrelandAll-Africa Conference: Sister to SisterNew JerseyBuilding Healthier CommunitiesSilver Spring, MarylandCatherine McAuley CenterCedar Rapids, IowaCatherine's LegacyAfghanistanFraynework MultimediaAustraliaMcAuley ImagesUnited StatesMcAuley MinistriesUnited StatesMercy Associates - in England, Scotland and WalesUnited KingdomMercy Center Bronx NYBronx, NYMercy Center at MadisonMadison, ConnecticutMercy Center for WomenPennsylvaniaMercy Center on AgingPennsylvaniaMercy Centre New JerseyUnited StatesMercy Family ServicesQueensland, AustraliaMercy FoundationAustraliaMercy HavenNew York, United StatesMercy HousingDenver ColoradoMercy Works IncParramatta, AustraliaNga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of MercyNew ZealandOur Lady of Wisdom Health Care CenterNew Orleans, United StatesProvidence Row Homeless CentreUnited KingdomSacred SpacesSingleton, NSWSacred Spaces SingletonAustraliaSisters of MercyNewfoundland, Newfoundland and LabradorSisters of Mercy ParramattaParramatta, New South WalesSt Mary'sHandsworth, BirminghamSt Mary’s CentreHandsworth, United KingdomSt. Catharine's ConventEdinburgh, ScotlandThe Association of Our Lady of Mercy in RomaniaBucuresti, RomaniaThe Congregation of the Sisters of MercyIrelandThe Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of AustraliaAustraliaThe Mercy Foundation LimitedWollstonecraft, New South WalesThe Sisters of Mercy of the AmericasSilver Spring, MarylandWell of MercyHamptonville, North CarolinaWomen of Colon Walking Together (MUCEC)Colon, Republic of PanamamercyFirstSyosset, New YorkThe Mercy Education System of the Americas (MESA) is an international system of Mercy education ministries with ministries located in Argentina, Belize, Guam, Honduras, Jamaica, the Philippines, and the United States. As reflected in the first Spirit of the Institute, Mercy Education System holds in trust the ministries of MESA and places its work in the tradition of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley. Mercy education ministries, the ministries of MESA, though geographically diverse, share a common heritage, legacy and mission. Committed to meeting current needs Mercy education remains a vital component of the works of the Sisters of Mercy. The mission of MESA through its governance and service components upholds this commitment.
Controversies
Mount Lilydale Mercy College has experienced some controversies. In May 2015, the school ran a religious seminar that many year 12 students felt was "biased", "homophobic" and "sexist". In 2022, a media student's film featuring LGBTQ themes and imagery was denied from being shown at an exhibition meant to take place in October 2022. In January 2023, the school experienced a large data breach in which up to 400 credit card numbers were stolen by "third party hackers". The breach included details of current and former parents whose information was still on file with the school.
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