The Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria set up an Education Committee in 1869, to look into establishing a ladies' college. At this time the Church owned in Albert Street, East Melbourne, opposite the current Fitzroy Gardens, and not far from the original site of the school's brother school, Scotch College. A school building and a teacher's home were already built on the site, and were rented to a teacher as a primary school. The committee resolved to build the college and provide advice and support, but the college would be self-supporting.