'GENERATIONS of Galen' will be celebrated this August when Wangaratta's Galen Catholic College recognises its heritage and marks its 50th anniversary.

The celebration will be held over two days, Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30.

College tours will be held on the Friday, followed by a ticketed gala dinner on the Friday evening, and then Mass on the Saturday followed by a community lunch.

Galen's history actually stretches back to 1888, when four Brigidine Sisters from Ireland opened Brigidine Convent Wangaratta.

The secondary school was known as St Joseph's High School, later referred to as The Convent, and in 1955 became St Joseph's College.

Champagnat College was opened in 1955 as a day and boarding school as well as a juniorate for the Marist Brothers.

In 1974, the availability of a Federal Government grant led to the decision to establish a regional co-educational college for years 11 and 12, to be known as Galen Catholic College.

The school began in 1975, which is the occasion being marked by the anniversary celebrations.

St Patrick's Hall was its temporary home, with classes beginning in the new college buildings halfway through the year, and Brother Ross Keane the school's first principal.

In 1982, the Marist Brothers handed over the reins of Champagnat and Galen to the Wangaratta parish, and in 1983, Sr Anne Boyd assumed the role of principal of the enlarged Galen Catholic College (amalgamated with St Joseph's and Champagnat).

The events of August 29 and 30 will be open to everyone who has been part of the St Joseph's, Champagnat and Galen communities over the years, with expression of interest registrations now being sought.

To lodge an expression of interest for the weekend, visit https://forms.office.com/r/sHQM0S5tHe