Bungaree History Walk
  • Home
    • Launch of the Walk
    • QR Codes
  • The Wathaurungs
    • Wathaurung Culture
    • Lal Lal Falls
    • The Important Mountains
    • Special Wathaurung Sites
    • Interesting Wathaurung Facts and Photos
    • The Legend of Bunjil
  • The Bungaree Blacksmiths
    • The Chisholm's
    • The Devereux's
    • The Ritchie's
    • The Cyclone Destroys a Blacksmith
    • Stories about the Blacksmith
  • The Bungaree Hotels
    • Grand Junction
    • Bridge Hotel
    • Morning Star
    • Horse and Jockey Hotel
    • Robbery at the Morning Star
    • The Cyclone Destroys a Hotel
  • The Bungaree Bank
    • The Bankers
    • Inside the bank
    • The Holey Incident
    • The Blacksmith's Joke
    • The Bungaree Bank Closes
  • The Bungaree Police Station
    • Stories about the Police Station
    • The Truck Crash
    • Archaeological Survey
    • Police Station Photos
  • The Bungaree Railway Station
    • The Train Wreck
    • The Busy Bungaree Station
    • Interview with Mr Lawless
    • Bungaree Railway Photos
    • The Bungaree Station Closes
  • The Bungaree Shops
    • The Chalmers Shop
    • Bottom Shop
    • Top Shop
    • The Lolly Shop and Butcher
    • Interviews about the Shops
    • Things the Shops Sold
  • The Bungaree Schools
    • The First School
    • The Bluestone School
    • The Current School
    • Interviews with Past Students
    • Bungaree School Photos
  • The Bungaree Mechanics' Institute
    • A Cyclone Destroys the Hall
  • St John's Anglican Church
    • Parish Life
    • Improvements to St John's
  • The Bungaree Fire Brigade
    • Black Friday
    • Fighting Fires
    • Early Fire Fighting Equipment
    • Bungaree CFA
    • The Mt Warrenheip Fire
    • The Captain visits the school
  • St Michael's Church, School and Convent
    • St Michael's School
    • St Michael's Church
    • St Michael's Convent
  • The Bungaree Recreation Oval
    • The Bungaree Footy Club
    • The Bungaree Netball Club
    • Interviews about the Institute
    • The Cricket and Tennis Clubs
  • The Making of the History Walk
  • Contact Details and Bibliography
  • Extra Information, photos and songs
  • Feedback Blog

St Michael's of Bungaree


The Ballarat goldrush saw many Irish Catholics come to Australia to try and improve their fortunes. Many stayed on to become farmers around the Bungaree district. The volcanic soil was recognised as being particulary good for growing their favourite crop, spuds.
As many of the settlers were Catholic, services were gradually built, including a school, church and convent.
In 1871 land was granted towards the buiding of a Catholic church. Later in 1889 two acres of land was purchased which is the present site of St Michaels. A wooden church was opened here in 1893.

Learn about the St Michael's school.