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Capital Projects

Facilities play a pivotal role in our delivery of a world-class living and learning experience.

Inspiring learning and research spaces, multi-purpose communal areas, best-of-breed accommodation and infrastructure need to be created, maintained and improved.

Projects such as the JCR Café, George Scott Library and the Ormond Academic Centre are examples of what can be achieved through the philanthropic support of the Ormond community.

The College has created a 50-year capital projects strategy to ensure that we continue to have the standard of facilities we need. The plan calls for both new spaces as well as the up-keep of our magnificent heritage architecture.

Chapel Roof Restoration

Chapel Roof Restoration

Weather and age had considerably affected the Chapel and the entire 100 year old slate roof needed replacement to prevent water damage to the Chapel and Main Building.

Picken Lawn Restoration

Picken Lawn Restoration

Tired and worn from years of heavy use, we are currently undertaking the refurbishment of Picken Lawn to restore it to its former glory, for current and future generations to enjoy.

Gables Rooms

Gables Rooms

To meet the needs of our students, we created the opportunity for more senior students to live in Main Building by constructing 20 attic-style rooms in the gables of Main Building.

Academic Centre Renovation

Academic Centre Renovation

This project has redeveloped the MacFarland Building as an integrated academic hub to support the College’s undergraduates, graduate and non-resident communities in their learning and studies.

Dining Hall Roof Restoration

Dining Hall Roof Restoration

The Dining Hall is a very special place for all Ormondians and has always been the centre of College life. Restoration works have insured preservation of the building for future generations.

A Donor's Story: Neville & Di Bertalli

Thanks to the generosity of the Ormond community, in 2024 our Chapel received a new slate roof which will ensure this treasured building at our community’s heart stands strong for centuries to come.

 

In 2023, Ormond Chapel celebrated 100 years since it first opened as the MacFarland Library. With its beautiful stained-glass windows, the lofty Chapel in Main Building is now a space for prayer, reflection and congregation for people of “all faiths and none”. It is also a much loved venue for musical performances, theatre productions and guest speakers.

 

Weather and age had considerably affected the Chapel. The entire slate roof needed replacing to prevent water damage to the Chapel and Main Building, and the $140,000 quote for these works was beyond the College’s modest maintenance budget.

 

We put the call out to our incredible community for help through our Annual Giving campaign and were deeply moved by the response. A total of $195,000 was raised to replace the roof, including a generous donation from Neville and Di Bertalli of $140,000. This significant support has meant that in addition to replacing the Chapel roof, we were able to undertake much needed repairs to the adjoining structures.

 

A Donor's Story: Preserving Ormond’s heritage

Long-time Parkville resident Mr Leslie Thompson loved the architecture of Main Building and left a substantial bequest to Ormond in the early 1960s.

Although not a former student, Mr Thompson recognised the value of such wonderful architecture and wanted to ensure it was maintained for future generations to enjoy. The Thompson Fund is now a major source of revenue for the College’s building maintenance requirements.

More recently, also appreciative of having lived among buildings of rare beauty, Bill Forrest AM (OC 1964) has recognised that preserving and maintaining its heritage buildings is one of the College’s most significant long-term challenges.

Bill’s very significant gift to the Thompson Fund is the first additional contribution to the Fund since its establishment some 50 years ago.

While creating spaces such as the award-winning gable rooms enriches the College’s environment, Bill feels that ensuring these buildings will be preserved for centuries to come is equally important.

How to support Ormond

To make a gift in support of our Capital Projects, please donate via our online donation form.

Or, to discuss how assisting with the development and maintenance of the College buildings might be possible for you, please contact our Advancement office at advancement@ormond.unimelb.edu.au

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