Emily McPherson College

Emily McPherson College is a white building on Russell Street featuring simplified Neo-Grec and Beaux-Arts architectural details. The structure now operates as RMIT Building 13 and houses the Graduate School of Business along with various other educational facilities.

The college was established in 1927 following a generous donation by Sir William McPherson, who named it after his wife Lady Emily. The building received the Victorian Architecture Medal in 1930 in recognition of its architectural design.

The college served as a space where women could learn practical domestic skills and gain recognized qualifications in cooking, nutrition, and dressmaking. These courses represented a rare opportunity for female students to obtain formal professional training in domestic fields during that era.

The building sits in a central location in Melbourne's business district and is part of the active RMIT campus. Visitors should note that access to certain areas may be limited as it remains an active educational facility.

The college preserves the Emily McPherson Collection, a remarkable archive of historical cookbooks and documents from the early days of domestic science education in Australia. This collection offers insight into how this field of study developed and shaped opportunities for women in the country.

Location: Victoria

Location: Melbourne central business district

Inception: 1927

Address: 379–405 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

GPS coordinates: -37.80730,144.96500

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01