Dominic College honours the past while building the future

By Heather Excell

When the Boys’ Town building first rose above the Glenorchy landscape in the late 1940s, it represented an ambitious vision for the care and education of young people in Tasmania.

Now, more than 75 years later, Dominic College is again looking to the future, embarking on a major redevelopment designed to preserve the building’s historic character while transforming it into a contemporary learning environment for years to come.

Officially opened in 1951, the Boys’ Town building was originally a dormitory on the top floor (for boarders, state wards, and British child migrants), and classrooms on the bottom floor. In 1994, boarding on the site ceased and both floors were used as classrooms. The current redevelopment marks the next stage of the building’s adaptation.

Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Phillip Excell, said that although the space has changed greatly over the years, it has “remained a strong physical reminder of the Salesian mission and the College’s heritage”.

He said that the new redevelopment will “honour the legacy of the building while reimagining it for contemporary education so that the building continues to be purposeful, welcoming and aligned with the future direction of the college”.

The $17 million redevelopment being undertaken by Fairbrother commenced in January this year and is expected to reach practical completion by the end of February 2027.

Once complete, the building will feature ten flexible learning spaces for students in years 7 to 10 with retractable walls to change the interior layout as needed. Alongside this, the space will contain collaborative staff areas and meeting spaces, a small conference room, upgraded technology, and improved accessibility.

Phillip said the project has been carefully planned to balance heritage preservation with modern functionality.

“As a building, it’s not heritage listed, but it is marked with heritage significance,” he said. “That means we need to keep the original character of the building intact, from the brick façade to the tiled roof, while also complimenting the building with modern materials to ensure we meet current compliance standards.”

Principal Stephen Casni said the redevelopment reflects the College’s dedication to the future of education.

“The modernised spaces will not only improve the immediate experience of students and staff but will also provide a future-ready foundation for continued growth, innovation and success in teaching and learning,” he said.

The redevelopment places a strong emphasis on student and staff wellbeing, with improved lighting, climate control, sheltered outdoor areas and collaborative spaces designed to create a comfortable and inspiring learning environment.

“My dream is that when students and staff enter this new facility, they will feel a sense of belonging which is central to our Catholic Salesian values. They’ll feel safe, connected and able to learn and succeed together,” Stephen said.

Plans are also being explored for a dedicated museum space within the precinct to display memorabilia connected to the College’s rich history and assist teachers in continuing to share the Salesian identity and mission with their students and the wider community.

The College also acknowledged the support of Archbishop Tony Ireland and the Catholic Development Fund in helping bring the redevelopment project to life.