Profile: Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College

An essay by Dr Deborah Towns OAM on the history of one of the oldest schools in the state. ‘Something of an icon’, Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College (MFG) began almost 170 years ago as the government’s Flinders National Grammar School, in Geelong. It’s named for Matthew Flinders, who surveyed the local area from the You Yangs.

The buildings share a history of different types of public schools. In 1856 it was one of the Victorian government’s first post-primary schools established before the introduction of the ‘free, compulsory, secular’ system in 1872. Starting with boys only, it was coeducational by 1864.

After 1872, it was administered by the Department of Public Instruction, as an Elementary State School (Prep to Year 8) and Training School for pupil teachers. As Flinders State School it continued its university entrance classes until 1894. In 1900 it had 1,000 students, but numbers declined as new local schools opened.

The government and the local community influenced its next development as a girls’ domestic arts college. Matthew Flinders Girls School opened in 1940 with Ada Knowles, as the principal. Until the 1970s, girls’ schools provided one of the few opportunities for women to become principals. As attitudes slowly changed about girls and women’s potential roles, the school offered an increasing range of subjects and varied career opportunities. 1962 was the first-year students studied for the matriculation examination in year 12 and it updated to Matthew Flinders Girls High School. Elizabeth Crompton, (nee Meek) was its first student to win a Commonwealth University Scholarship in 1967.

Doris Embling was the principal (1969 to 1978), during its ‘golden era’ with new buildings for senior science rooms, a library and resource centre, and assembly hall. Further funding came from hosting evening adult educational and vocational classes.

The innovative teacher Ross Lipson created Sweethearts singers in 1989. Gaining international fame, the girls’ jazz band travels Australia and overseas. In 2024 they performed in Bologna and opened for the Porretta Soul Festival.

Historically the school has provided for a wide range of students. Today it has just over 600 students who come from 50 different feeder schools, and incorporates a diverse range of cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and family blends. VCE and VCAL teachers maintain the school’s focus on high expectations for all students. Enrichment programs include leadership, performing arts, teamwork and all-round personal achievement. Its focus on literacy skills is reflected in the percentage of students who are performing above the State and Similar Schools. There are co-curricular sports programs, year level and subject area camps, national and international trips. Further experiences are shared with Sister Schools in Indonesia, Reunion Island, Central and remote Australia, and France.

It’s a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths (STEAM) school, working with Geelong Tech School, Biolab and Deakin university and an accredited Select Entry School. The School Garden is a key focus for learning. Outdoor Education is a key component too.

MFG has a strong track record of academic excellence, and many students have gone on to be lawyers, scientists, academics, musicians, doctors, teachers and researchers. Equally, it celebrates the successful applied learning paths that students take because of its partnership with The Gordon, Geelong’s award-winning TAFE institution. The holistic development of every student is supported in various ways especially through the House System’s unique approach.

Though proud of its heritage, Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College is also renowned for innovative teaching and forward-looking programs. It continues as a popular single sex government school as one of the government’s six girls’ secondary schools. Its buildings and grounds include other sites, but its first building is recognised by Heritage Victoria as ‘one of the finest of the early National schools built by the government’. The school’s Mission Statement is, ‘MFG is a learning community that challenges and supports young women to develop as independent and lifelong learners, continually striving for excellence.

Written by Dr Deborah Towns OAM

Dr Deborah Towns OAM is an Honorary Fellow in the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne. A former teacher and public servant, she is a sociologist, historian and author.

At the 2022 conference ‘Free Secular Compulsory: 150th Anniversary of the Victorian Education Act 1872’, she delivered the keynote.

Deb won the 2018 Collaborative Community History Award shared with co-author Dr John Andrews for A Secondary Education for All? A History of State Secondary Schooling in Victoria (2017).

Education & training

Updated 9 February 2026

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Profile: Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College

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