Our History

ERC Tradition: A Century of Excellence

The Foundation of the ERC Spirit

The story of Edmund Rice College began in 1926 when Br T.A. McMahon and his dedicated staff opened the doors of Christian Brothers College to 105 founding students in the heart of Wollongong. From those humble beginnings on Crown Lane, the College has evolved into a thriving educational community of nearly 1,100 students, now nestled at the base of Mt Keira.

Throughout our history, we have remained committed to the Edmund Rice tradition, providing a transformative Catholic education for young men in the Illawarra.

ERC 2025

The Early Years (1926–1950s)

The College opened as Christian Brothers College (CBC) in January 1926 with 105 pupils at the top of Crown Lane, Wollongong. Despite the severe impact of the Great Depression on the region, enrolments grew, leading to challenging conditions such as a single Brother teaching 100 pupils in a combined second and third class in 1938.

During this foundational era, the school’s character was forged through academic success, annual concerts, and a strong sporting culture, particularly in Rugby League.

  • 1931: The Old Boys Union was established to foster lifelong community connections.
  • 1933: The Brother’s Club (Rugby League) was formed, which entered the Illawarra District First Grade in 1928 and eventually evolved into The Collegians Club.
  • 1945: The College formed a Cadet Unit and employed its first lay teacher.

The Move to West Wollongong (1950s–1975)

In 1952, Wollongong became a Diocese under Bishop Thomas McCabe, who played a pivotal role in the College’s relocation. In 1958, he handed over the Crown Lane title deeds and supported the purchase of the current 9-hectare site at the base of Mt Keira.

  • April 29, 1962: The West Wollongong campus was officially opened, initially featuring five classrooms and physics and chemistry laboratories.
  • 1960s Growth: The College Band (1967) and Parents’ and Friends’ Association (1968) were introduced.
  • 1975: After phasing out primary classes to specialize in secondary education, the College operated completely from the current site.

Expansion and Innovation (1975–2019)

The late 20th century saw rapid expansion, including the construction of the Technics Block, Multi-Purpose Hall, and Chapel to meet a growing student population.

  • 1990s: An “Extended Day” model was introduced to accommodate high demand for enrolments.
  • 2007: Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) became the proprietor, and a dedicated Metal and Engineering Trade Training Centre was established.
  • 2013–2014: The College returned to a common school day, supported by the construction of the Edmund Rice Centre (2014).
  • 2015–2019: Continued site development included the Narandha Learning Centre (2015/16), Waruga Art Centre (2018), and a new Science Block (2019).

The Contemporary Campus (2020–Present)

Entering its second century, the College has modernized its entire infrastructure while maintaining its vibrant learning community.

  • 2020–2022: All learning spaces were air-conditioned, and the Administration Building underwent a complete refurbishment.
  • 2025–2026: To commemorate 100 years, the College commenced construction on the state-of-the-art Centenary Innovation Centre and completed major refurbishments to B and C Blocks.

Today, our magnificent campus and modern facilities support a tradition of excellence, truly Honouring Our Past and Inspiring Our Future.