100 Images for 100 Years

100 Images of 100 years is part of the Federation celebrations at Wesley College. Some of the images show the highlight of a year – an opening or event and others are purely glimpses of an ordinary day or an activity now long past. This exhibition provides a wonderful insight into the College over the years. The images clearly illustrate the growth of the College as well as highlighting how society changed during the 20th Century. 

100 Images for 100 Years captures many activities which are no longer part of the Wesley way of life: the Rifle Team, Scouts, Debutante Balls and school plays where all roles were played by one gender. Now, we also have many new subjects to memorialise like jazz ballet and golf classes. 

The very formal sporting photographs have given way to team photos that are more casually posed. Social trends are apparent. Take a look at the boys in the early 1900s where haircuts were definitely short back and sides. If you look at the boys of the 1970s longer locks are definitely all the rage. Skirt lengths have risen and fallen and risen again with the passing of years. Today, the school keep body piercing and make up in check. 

This photographic collection is also fascinating from a conservation point of view. The pre WWII photos printed are of a much higher quality than the more recent photos. They have stood the test of time and look as fresh as the day they were taken. Indeed, the colour snapshots of the 1970s have already started to fade. It highlights the need for digital scanning, use of quality hard copy images and expert conservation.  In the current throw away fad driven society it will still be a challenge to mount an exhibition of this type in one hundred years.

In 1989, the historic heart of Prahran Campus was devastated by fire. Over 75% of the archives were destroyed. Thousands of photographs were either lost or damaged. Fortunately, many members of the Wesley College community have donated images to the Archives. In addition, we have been able to conserve and restore hundreds of images. Today, the strength of the Wesley College photographic collection is in the period 1900-1945. Former students from this period have reached an age now where they are clearing out cupboards as they downsize their homes. The photographic collection is weakest from 1960 to the present. Most of the former students from this period have not even contemplated donating photos to the Archives.

In the 1960s, an orchard at Syndal became the first major new campus development at Wesley College since the College opened. The charming photos of rows of fruit trees and the boy in the tank are the precursors to what would become Glen Waverley. 

The acquisition of Cato College (formerly MLC Elsternwick) in the late 1980s again shows the expansion of Wesley through the last century. The history of this site is now the responsibility of Wesley College. A number of images have been selected to illustrate aspects of school life in this all-girls’ school. It should be remembered that traditionally children from Methodist families went to MLC (girls) and Wesley College (boys).

The societal changes are obvious when you compare photographs from different decades. Hair lengths and dresses have gone up and down, girls even wear trousers to school. Wesley College mirrors society now that it is coeducational. School is no longer just about rowing, football and cricket. Even as a single sex school Wesley was beginning to elevate the arts to new levels. Wesley College is also much more culturally diverse than it ever has been as we see increasing numbers of students joining our community from many countries. As these photographs illustrate, so much has changed and so much has remained the same.

100 Images for 100 Years is our first Internet online exhibition. Many events have been chronicled here- the provision of early childhood education facilities, introduction of outdoor education, the acquisition of Elsternwick, the development of Syndal – Glen Waverley, coeducation and the opening of Clunes.  So Australia is one hundred years old. What will Australia and Wesley be like in 3001?