Published to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth
anniversary of Catholic Education in the Diocese of
Ballarat, this book presents the history of the
Catholic education system in the Diocese from early
settlement to the present day. It also provides
particular insight into the history of settlement
by a large proportion of the early population of
western Victoria.
The history traces the development of the Catholic
school system, achieved through the collaboration
of bishops and priests, members of religious orders
and the laity. The passing years brought new
opportunities and new challenges, which were met
with the same cooperative effort, so necessary in
the early days of development and which ensures
that Catholic education continues to flourish
throughout the Diocese. While the overall picture
presented is one of success through hard work, this
transparent well-researched history also presents
the pitfalls and disappointments, the disputes and
failures, which are only to be expected in such a
challenging enterprise.