Elsternwick Campus

MLC Elsternwick was established in 1930 as a branch of Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC), Kew, to serve Melbourne’s southern suburbs. Originally opened at Cromarty in Elsternwick, the school moved in 1931 to “Kooyong” at 5 Gladstone Parade, purchased through the generosity of major benefactor Fred J Cato, after whom it was officially named the Fred J Cato Branch of MLC. Initially a junior school, MLC Elsternwick expanded rapidly, and began offering schooling up to Year 11 by the late 1930s. The roll also grew quickly, starting with just 36 pupils in its first year to more than 400 by the 1940s. It developed a strong academic program alongside music, arts, sport, domestic science, clubs, and social service, supported by a distinctive house groups (Kawarau, Kerrie, Kittani and Kooyong). Despite disruptions during the Second World War, the school continued to grow, adding new buildings and facilities throughout the 1930s–1950s, including an assembly hall, laboratories, and specialist rooms. A strong school culture emerged, with active parent involvement, an Old Girls’ association, and the publication of its own magazine (The Silver and Green which later became Coolaroo). Students who wanted to study Matriculation (Year 12) were required to move to MLC Kew, which caused some tensions. This led to major change, and in 1961 MLC Elsternwick became an independent Methodist school. It later evolved into Cato College and ultimately amalgamated with Wesley College in the late 1980s, becoming Wesley’s Elsternwick (Cato) Campus.