Archives, art and collections

Wesley’s extensive archival collection illustrates the history of the College through images, works of art, personal papers, multimedia, historic artefacts and magazines, and published histories.

Wesley’s archives

Materials from the collection are available to researchers, by appointment. Access is subject to privacy restrictions and research and reproduction fees may apply.

The archival collection is also searchable online, providing access to a vast number of documents that have been published since 1866.

The ongoing digitisation of the collection has been made possible through the generous support of members of the Wesley College community. This program has involved the digitisation of all key historical documents as well as the Lion, the Chronicle, The MLC Cato Collection and the published histories of Wesley. To gain access to these valuable resources and gain a greater insight into the history of our great school, click here.

Wesley’s art collections

Click here.

The Wesley College Art Collection has as its centerpiece, the Alec Cato Collection of Australian paintings, which are exhibited regularly. Works are also loaned to public galleries for exhibition and research purposes. Some of the featured artists in the collection include Sir John William Ashton, Penleigh Boyd, Harold Herbert, Sir Hans Heysen, Sir Daryl Lindsay, Sir Lionel Lindsay, Norman Lindsay, Percy Lindsay, Frederick McCubbin, William Beckwith McInnes, Tom Roberts, and Sir Arthur Streeton.
Contemporary artists whose works are in the collection include John Coburn, Fiona Foley, Melinda Harper, Louise Hearman, Noel McKenna, Rosslynd Piggott, and Ken Whisson.

The College is committed to developing its contemporary art collection, and to this end has acquired a number of significant works by Indigenous artists, and supports the Student Acquisitive Prize annually. Artworks are available for viewing, by appointment, when not on public display.

Wesley College welcomes donations of artworks to the art collection if it falls within our collection policy, as well as archival items that help illustrate the story of the College. Donations may be eligible for tax-deductible status under the Commonwealth Government’s Cultural Gifts Program.