In one of the more remarkable phone calls requesting capital finance that we have received at CDF, Mrs Sue Martin, Business Manager at St Joseph’s College, Ferntree Gully, reported, “We’re planning to purchase McAuley College in Dooboobetic ‘lock, stock and barrel’ and move it to Ferntree Gully! Could CDF help the College with a loan?”

So began the saga which would fulfil St Joseph College’s dream for a separate Year 9 campus and result in the rebirth of the spirit of McAuley College at the foot of the Dandenongs.
Dooboobetic is located 26 km north of St Arnaud and was home to McAuley, a co-educational college established in 1986. The college closure in 2003 and subsequent sale opened the door to a challenging and creative opportunity for St Joseph’s to provide a campus which would meet the specific needs of Year 9 students and provide a physical education area including a gymnasium and weights room and Home Economics/Hospitality facility.
Truck load after truck load filled to the brim with the makings of a campus headed east. As one college was being dismantled, another campus was taking shape. At Ferntree Gully new buildings were erected and joined to the 1800 square metres of transported classroom space. The blue McAuley College cross decorated with the stars of the Southern Cross was planted.
Finally, Valdocco Year 9 campus emerged, named after the quarter in Turin, Italy where Don Bosco, founder of the Salesian Society first began educating young men in 1846. The dedication of Valdocco coincided with the 40th anniversary celebrations of St Joseph’s College. Fr Ian Murdoch, sdb, Salesian Provincial, recalled Don Bosco’s insight for educating the young and blessed the commemorative plaque which is a permanent reminder of the Saint’s message, “Love all to bring all to Christ, remembering always that education is a thing of the heart.”