Our History
The story of this college is really the story of three colleges; St. Joseph’s College, Champagnat College and Galen College, named after the first Parish Priest of Wangaratta. In 1888 four Brigidine sisters from Ireland opened Brigidine Convent Wangaratta. The secondary school was known as St. Joseph’s High School, later referred to as ‘The Convent’ and in 1955 it became St. Joseph’s College. Champagnat College was opened in 1955. It was a day and boarding school as well as a Juniorate for the Marist Brothers. In 1974 the availability of a Commonwealth Capital Grant led to the decision to establish a regional co-educational college for years 11-12, to be known as Galen Catholic College. In 1983 St. Josephs’ College, Champagnat College and Galen College amalgamated to form Galen Catholic College, with Sr. Anne Boyd as the first principal. Currently Darta Hovey is the fourth lay principal, and has been at Galen since January 2022.
Galen Timeline
Champagnat College opens
Champagnat College takes in 31 boarders in it’s first year
Bishop Stewart officially opens Champagnat College
Marist Brothers erect Marcellin Champagnat statue at Champagnat College
Champagnat College Library opens
Construction commences on Galen Catholic College, named after Wangaratta Parish Priest, Father Galen.
Brother Ross Keane appointed as first principal of Galen Catholic College
Galen Catholic College begins the year with St. Patrick’s Hall as a temporary home.
Classes begin in the new Galen College buildings halfway through the year.
Marist Brothers hand over the reins of Champagnat & Galen to the Wangaratta Parish.
Sister Anne Boyd appointed as principal of the enlarged Galen Catholic College
Max Fletcher appointed as 1st lay principal of Galen Catholic College
Galen College Junior School closes at the end of 1989
Galen Catholic College becomes a one campus college
Galen Catholic College Library is enlarged.
Galen Catholic College gets new uniform colours.
Dave Seiter appointed as 2nd lay principal of Galen Catholic College
Bernard Neal appointed as 3rd lay principal of Galen Catholic College
Galen Catholic College reaches 1,200 students for the first time
Soul Food Cafe & Hospitality Centre open
New Senior School at Galen Catholic College opens
College VEX Robotics Team achieves international success.
Galen Catholic College faces up to the challenges of COVID-19
Darren Hovey appointed as 4th lay principal of Galen Catholic College
