The St Alipius story is intrinsically linked with the dreaming of the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation, who were connected to the land created for them by Bundjil the Great Spirit.
Our story began on the Ballarat Goldfields, when a group of Irish Catholic men and women sought to create a community of faith and learning. With the discovery of gold in August 1851, as thousands of people made their way to the diggings on the Ballarat Goldfields, a town quickly took shape. Father Patrick Dunne arrived to celebrate the first Mass for the Catholic miners in October 1851. In late 1852, Father Matthew Downing arrived on the Ballarat goldfields and named this new Parish after St Alipius and the Bishop of the time, James Alipius Goold. By February 1853 Father Downing had moved to the present St Alipius Church site and erected a large tent chapel, reinforced with slabs. This not only became a landmark on Victoria Street, but also served as the first school for Catholic children. Classes began on 1 April 1853. Over 170 years have passed and St Alipius Church and school still stand. During those years, thousands of families and their children have chosen St Alipius as their school. We are still a landmark on Victoria Street and proud to be the oldest operating school in Ballarat. |