A Short History of Mannix College

Mannix College is named after Archbishop Daniel Mannix (1864-1963), a notable leader in his home country of Ireland, and in his adopted country, Australia. Daniel Mannix was known for his passion, strength of character, academic prowess, and notably, his commitment to education. He campaigned strongly for State aid to Catholic Schools, and worked solidly in the belief that Catholics could rise above their working class status (seen through his early 20 th Century Irish-Australian eyes), and help lead Australia into the future, via the pursuit of higher education.

Through the work set in place by Archbishop Daniel Mannix, Monash University Interim Council made an in-principle agreement in 1960 to the affiliation of a proposed Catholic residential college. Three years later, a little over a month after Daniel Mannix died, Archbishop Simmonds informed the Vice-Chancellor of the decision to name the College in memory of Archbishop Mannix. In a joint press statement from the University Council and the Melbourne Catholic Archdiocese, it was stated that, “The name Mannix College has been welcomed by the University both as appropriate in itself and as fitting in with the University's own policy of naming its buildings after outstanding Australians.”

Archbishop Simmonds entrusted the administration of the College to the Dominican Order, under the College Council, and the Dominicans continued to conduct the College on behalf of the Melbourne Archdiocese until 2003.

On the 23 rd May 1968 Archbishop Knox laid the Foundation Stone, and the College opened to accept its first intake of Monash students, all men, in 1969. In 1974 Mannix went “co-ed”.

Over the ensuing years, Mannix College has settled into a structure of accommodating roughly equal numbers of men and women students, largely representing students who have moved from rural and regional Victoria to study at Monash University , senior students and visiting lecturers, and a wide contingent of cultures, creeds and backgrounds.

The College motto - "Omnia Omnibus" means "All things to all People”. The shield of Mannix College combines elements of Archbishop Mannix, Sir John Monash and the Dominican Order. From the shield of Dr. Mannix the Gryphon and Crescents are taken together with the motto. The shield of Sir John Monash, used by the University named after him, shows the inverted chevron, the Southern Cross, the open book and sword in pale blue surrounded by a crown of laurel. The black and white border is drawn from the shield of the Dominican Order.

Philosophy

In the spirit of the dignity, courage, wisdom and leadership of Archbishop Daniel Mannix, Mannix College provides educative and supportive residential opportunities for university students. It provides means to develop the material, academic, cultural, pastoral and religious interests of the students. Emphasis is placed on those who will benefit from collegiate life, and will carry the positive aspects of their learning in Mannix College as living icons of their experience.