A magisterial account of a storied institution

Trinity College opened in 1872 as the first student residence associated with the University of Melbourne. Established by the Anglican Church, it provided supervised accommodation and academic support for undergraduate students. Over the years, this was expanded to include a theological school (1877), a women’s hostel (1886, later called Janet Clarke Hall), and a foundation studies program (1990) for overseas students wishing to qualify for entry to Australian universities.

Triumphs of Our Fleur de Lys provides a detailed historical account of the college’s development and public contribution, set alongside the social, political and education changes in Australia over the past 150 years. It examines the contributions of numerous people to the college’s progress, and covers the role of tertiary education institutions; the admission of women to universities; student social and sporting life, including music, drama and religion; developments in theological education; the provision of scholarships and pastoral care; standards of accommodation, food and discipline; and the fundraising undertaken in order to provide the transformative experiences envisioned by the college’s founders and still found in its current mission.

This history is published in commemoration of Trinity College’s 150th anniversary, celebrated in 2022.