There was a wonderful sense of nostalgia and joy on campus recently, as Damascus College warmly welcomed members of the Sacred Heart College Class of 1965+ for their much-anticipated 60-year reunion.

Sacred Heart College holds a special place in the history of Damascus College. Operating in Victoria Street, Ballarat East from 1881 until 1994, Sacred Heart was one of the foundation schools, along with St Martin’s in the Pines (Sacred Heart College’s Senior Campus) and St Paul’s Technical College, that amalgamated in 1995 to form Damascus College. The legacy of the school continues to live on through its past students and their enduring connection to one another, and to the values of compassion, community, and faith, that remain at the heart of Damascus today.

Eighteen past students from the Class of 1965+, a mixture of boarders and day scholars, gathered in the Damascus Events Centre to celebrate 60 years since their final year at Sacred Heart College. The group enjoyed a relaxed and joy-filled day that included formalities, a delicious lunch and concluded with a tour of the College campus.

The formalities of the day included a warm welcome from current Principal, Steven Mifsud, an address by the College Archivist, and the presence of Veronica Lawson RSM, who shared her memories and insights from Sacred Heart and St Martin’s as a past student, teacher and school leader. The reflections from past students Lois and Anne were especially nostalgic, recalling different memories as day scholar and boarder as well as a quiz about how the students referred to the Sisters when out of earshot! The ladies also enjoyed viewing a special school history video, which highlighted the proud legacy of Sacred Heart College and its role in shaping Damascus College today. Laughter, storytelling, and heartfelt memories filled the room as the women reminisced about their time as students, sharing how those formative years shaped their lifelong friendships and personal journeys.

The reunion also offered a chance for the ladies to see how the campus and learning environment have evolved over time. Many shared how impressed they were with the College’s facilities today and the way its Catholic traditions continue to guide the education of young people in Ballarat. This group of ladies has maintained connection and met regularly throughout the years but never on campus, so although the Class of 1965 never attended St Martin’s in the Pines (it opened in 1967) several of the boarders recalled how on Sundays they often walked the ~6.8kms from Sacred Heart to Mt Clear (and back again!) to say the rosary and plant Miraculous medals so the funds could be found to build the school. They would also say a special prayer each week to St Martin de Porres, patron saint of St Martin’s in the Pines - the first school on the site. Many shared how impressed they were with the College’s facilities today and the way its Catholic traditions continue to guide the education of young people in Ballarat.

As the afternoon came to a close, the group expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to come together once again and celebrate not only their shared past, but the friendships that continue to enrich their lives six decades later.

Damascus College congratulates the Sacred Heart College Class of 1965+ on this milestone and extends heartfelt thanks to Lois Knights (nee McColl) and Anne Mibus (nee Watt) for their dedication in assisting with the organisation of the reunion and keeping the spirit of Sacred Heart alive. Although they both live interstate Lois and Anne were instrumental in bringing the event to life, with Lois even making the magnificent cake, cookies and organising door prizes! Their commitment to keeping the group connected over the decades has ensured that the strong bonds formed in the classrooms and dormitories of Sacred Heart College have endured long after graduation.