On the eve of the Feast of Saint Dominic Savio, Tuesday 5 May, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB visited Salesian College, Chadstone, Melbourne, Victoria, where he was welcomed as a special guest to preside over the blessing and opening of the College’s refurbished and expanded Mannix Campus.
For Archbishop Costelloe, it was a ‘return to where it all began’ as a former student, teacher, Religious Education Coordinator, and Rector.
The redevelopment has almost doubled the capacity of the second campus, marking an important step in the College’s continued growth and commitment to quality Catholic education in the Salesian tradition.
The campus is named in honour of Archbishop Daniel Mannix, who nearly 80 years ago facilitated the acquisition of the land for the Salesians, laying the foundations for what would become one of Australia’s leading Salesian educational institutions.
The blessing was presided over by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, himself a former student of the College. Archbishop Costelloe later returned as a teacher, Religious Education Coordinator, and Rector before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne and subsequently Archbishop of Perth.
Also present for the occasion was Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Thinh Nguyen, College Rector Father Peter Carroll SDB, Salesian College Board Chair Stephen Moloney and members of the College Board, and Principal Mark Ashmore.
Local Members of Parliament Steve Dimopoulos and Matt Fregon, Mayor Stuart James, along with representatives from Newpol Construction, McIldowie Partners and Orchard Designs were also present.
In his address, Archbishop Costelloe warmly recalled his years at the College – first at a student’s desk, then at the teacher’s podium in the old classrooms of both the main and nearby campus.
He also reflected on his time as a seminarian and Formation Director on the current Mannix site, which previously served as the Province theologate and provincial house. His personal testimony deeply resonated with the gathered community and with the entire school community who followed the celebration via live stream from their oratory classrooms.
Archbishop Costelloe invited the students to draw inspiration from the early stories of the Oratory, particularly those of Bartholomew Garelli and Michael Magone, after whom the new Year 7 and Year 8 buildings are named.
By recalling these foundational narratives, he encouraged the young people to recognise that the Salesian mission continues to be rooted in encounter, accompaniment, and loving-kindness.
One of the most symbolic moments of the ceremony was the blessing of water, accompanied by prayer, as the College Captains filled the entrance stoop from a specially designed pump and rock feature.
This installation commemorates Don Bosco’s instruction to his first collaborators to “meet them at the pump,” recalling the early days at Valdocco when relationships were formed through simple presence and attentive care.
At the same time, the feature evokes the powerful biblical image of “living water,” signifying life, renewal, and grace.
Originally established in 2005 as a dedicated programme space for Year 9 students, the Mannix Campus will now serve as a transitional environment for Years 7 and 8 students as they begin their secondary school journey.
The renewed campus presents a bright, welcoming, and contemporary learning space, reflecting current trends in educational architecture while intentionally integrating rich symbols of the Salesian charism and Catholic faith.
This development not only strengthens the College’s educational offering but also prepares the way for the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Salesian College on the Bosco Campus, to be celebrated next year – an occasion that will further highlight the enduring legacy of Don Bosco in Australia and the vitality of his mission among young people today.
The following article was recently published in ‘ANS/Agenzia iNfo Salesiana’ (reproduced with permission).
