60 Years of Stories - The Mystery of the Blue Diary

It arrived without warning. On a seemingly random day in June last year, a large blue diary was quietly dropped off at Reception at Johns. There was no note. No name. No explanation. The person who delivered it simply disappeared, leaving behind a rather remarkable piece of College history.

We still don't know who they were.

What we do know is that the diary had already had quite a journey. At some point, it had been rescued from a skip bin in Turner before finding its way to John XXIII College. And what was inside was too important to throw away.

The Chronicle of John XXIII Community

The opening page bears the title:

“The Chronicle of John XXIII Community”

The first entry is dated 21 September 1973.

What follows is a fascinating chronicle of the early years of John XXIII College, a window into a young College finding its feet and building the traditions, friendships and community that would come to define Johns.

Across its pages are photographs, letters, College handbooks, invitations, newspaper cuttings and countless other fragments of College life.

Together, they tell a story that can't be found in an official history alone. There are the formal milestones, but also the everyday details, the people, personalities, events and moments that made College what it was.

It is exactly the kind of material that can so easily disappear with time and it makes us wonder: what else is out there?

Help us uncover the next chapter

As John XXIII College approaches its 60th Anniversary in 2027, we are looking back across the people, places, traditions and moments that have shaped our College community. We are building an archive that brings these stories together for future generations and we would love your help.

Do you have photographs, newspaper cuttings, letters, programs, College publications, documents or other material from your time at John XXIII College? Perhaps you have a story behind a photograph, a memory of College life, or an item of memorabilia that has been part of your family for years.

We want to hear from you.

Using our online form you can contribute digital copies, tell us about something you have, or let us know about historical items including ties, jerseys, trophies, yearbooks and other memorabilia that you think belong in the College archive.

The mysterious blue diary may have found its way back to Johns by chance.

Who knows what else is waiting to be rediscovered?

Help us build the John XXIII College Archive

Click here to Submit your contribution to the College Archive

60 years of stories.
One community.
Help us preserve it for the next generation.