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Untold Stories of Perth

St Catherine’s College

It took eighteen years for women to have a dedicated residential college to live in as they undertook their studies.

Untold Stories of Perth is a podcast series funded by the City of Perth exploring fascinating and lesser-known histories of our city. Centre for Stories produced five episodes to contribute to this collection.

Let’s look back to a little-known story from the University of Western Australia.

It took eighteen years for women, particularly from regional areas, to have a dedicated residential college to live in as they undertook their studies. St Catherine’s College opened in 1948, and they had a safe and dedicated home away from home at last.

Until three arson attacks in 1976.

This episode was produced by the Centre for Stories for the City of Perth Cultural Collections.

Students at St Catherine’s College, taken the second year after the College’s relocation to its current home on Stirling Highway. Published in the West Australian on 8 March 1962.
From left to right: Kathy Moore, Gael Phillips, Judy Wetters, Felicity Ralph, Shirley McCleod, Gillian Ovens, Jenny Kerr and Sue Halliday.
Photographer: Unknown.
Source: St Catherine’s College.

This story was originally published on 30 August 2022.

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We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land the Centre for Stories is located on, the Whadjuk people. We respect their culture and the continuing contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.