St Mary's College was originally established as St Mary's Hall in 1918, catering to women primarily from the country, and directly affiliated with the nearby male-only Newman College. Formerly housed in a stately home on the Avenue in Parkville known as 'Barbiston', the college moved to its present location in 1966. It was in that year, following the approval of Archbishop Daniel Mannix, that it became independent - a college in its own right - under the inspired leadership of Mother Francis Frewin. A renowned educationalist with a great love of English and French literature, Mother Frewin was a noted art expert and established the college's excellent fine art collection, as well its comprehensive academic library, before her retirement in 1969.