[5] The foundation stone of the college (now lost) was laid by the Governor of Victoria, George Phipps, 2nd Marquess of Normanby, on 15 November 1879.

[3] The rapid growth of the college soon outstripped the available accommodation and Francis Ormond provided funds for the southwest wing, together with a temporary building (which was, however, stone-walled and tin-roofed) where the cloisters now are, which served as kitchens and a dining hall.

[7] John Dickson Wyselaskie was a Western District squatter, who also gave generously to the Presbyterian Ladies' College.

On 6 July 1887, the portrait of Francis Ormond, which now hangs above the college's dining hall door, was unveiled by Sir James McBain.

[citation needed] The period after World War II saw great demands for accommodation; for the first time the college passed 150 students.

The kitchens were extensively modernised and general maintenance was brought up to date after the lag resulting from the Depression of the 1930s and the shortages of men and material during and after the War.

At the same time, a permanent residence was provided for the Vice-Master by the conversion of a rooms of the old lodge (Allen House) and the addition of a semi-circular cream brick building.

In the vacation of 1960–61 a new domestic wing was built to accommodate the extra staff and facilities required for the larger college planned for 1962.

The three octagon-shaped buildings that constitute Picken Court were built during 1961 and were ready for occupation in 1962, providing accommodation for around 100 students and eight tutors.

[citation needed] In 1968, a striking and bold building was opened in the south-east corner of the college grounds in the style later named brutalism.

[citation needed] Since 2010 the college has expanded its undergraduate facilities by creating a series of loft rooms in its main building and McCaughey Court.

[citation needed] Renate Kamener (8 June 1933 – 12 March 2009[14]) was a German-born Jew whose family escaped before the Holocaust and settled in South Africa, where she became a teacher.

She and her husband Bob were active in the anti-apartheid movement and migrated to Australia in 1965, where after teaching English for some time she became head of Humanities at Swinburne Technical College.

She was dedicated to peace and social justice, and founded Salaam-Shalom, a Muslim-Jewish women's group that promoted dialogue and friendship.