What's in a Name A MuSiCAl OveRTuRe We had to find ourselves our feet rang strangely on the red brick floor of the cloisters, as we marched for the first time along them to prayers in The elephant , wrote Joan Duffield in 1928, the first year in which Toorak College was located in Mount eliza.
So why is a school in Mount eliza called Toorak College In fact, Toorak College has had four locations in its 130 year history.
Founded as a boys school in Douglas Street Toorak in 1874, it was converted in 1897, by its first female Principal, Miss Margaret Tripp, to a girls school and moved in 1919 to more spacious buildings and grounds in Glenferrie Road near Stonnington.
When Miss Ellen Pye the Principal took over the school from Miss Tripp in 1898 there were only eighteen girls enrolled and no team sports were played.
By the time she left in 1907 there were over a hundred enrolments and sports teams included tennis, hockey, rowing and basketball.
An annual sports day had also been established.
Miss Pye chose the crest of three white daisies and a Latin motto in labore quies meaning in work is the true rest of life .
In 1926 the co-principals, the Misses Isabel and Robina Hamilton, sold the property to pursue their desire to establish a small school in the country on the English model.
Negotiations for a new site fell through, the scheme was abandoned and the closure of the school was announced at Speech Night.
An appeal by parents and old girls saved the school from extinction.
Action was taken to change its status from a privately owned institution to a not-for-profit company.
Land was purchased in Mount Eliza and plans were drawn up for a new school.
Temporary accommodation was found in Lansell Road Toorak.
In September 1928 the first assembly was held at the newly built school.
One timber building came with the School to the new Mt Eliza site.
On hearing the news one father, Mr Russell is said to have exclaimed You are surely not taking that white elephant The name The Elephant stuck and was used for the next forty years as an assembly hall, classroom, theatre and a venue for dances until it was demolished in 1972.
It now lives on in our twice yearly school publication, The Elephant Richard Gill Music Director of Victorian Opera, will officially open the new Music Centre.
Aria Award Winning James Morrison and a cappella group Idea of North will perform at the opening.
at Toorak College Thursday 31st March Our new Music Centre is a substantial building with a large, impressive rehearsal performance room opening onto a stepped courtyard for semi-external performances.
A Music Technology room, Recording Studio, 14 Rehearsal rooms and 2 class rooms have been incorporated, and acoustic engineers have been involved from the earliest stages.
On Thursday 31 March we invite you to, A Musical Overture from 5.00pm to 8.30pm - join us for an evening of music to celebrate the opening of our new Music Centre.
The Centre will be officially opened by Richard Gill, Music Director of Victorian Opera, at 6.45pm.
Aria award winning James Morrison and a cappella group Idea of North will be performing with Toorak College students.
James Morrison has played with all-time greats including Dizzy Gillespie, B.B.
King, and Wynton Marsalis, he composed the Opening Fanfare for the Olympic Games in Sydney and has completed six Royal Command performances for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The multi award-winning a cappella group, Idea of North has been ABC Jazz Classics highest selling artist for years.
They breathe new life into a time honoured art form with their sophisticated interpretations of classic and original songs.
Please join us for an evening to remember For further details please contact the school on 9788 7200.
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