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Our History

The name Nungalinya is an Aboriginal word used by the local Larrakeyah people meaning 'Old Man Rock' or 'Big Rock'. This is the name of the long low reef that can be seen out to sea from Casuarina Beach at low tide.

It is a very sacred place for the Larrakeyah people, and they have different totem songs connected with the place. They say that Nungalinya or Old Man Rock is responsible for storms, winds and tides.

When the College Trustees wanted a name for the College, Canon Barry Butler talked with the Larrakeyah people who themselves suggested Nungalinya. They said that the place where the College was situated was often referred to by that name. They were very pleased when the Trustees agreed at a meeting in 1973 to use that name.

Nungalinya or Big Rock is an excellent name for this Christian College. We read many times in the Old Testament that the Lord God is a rock. The same word is used in the New Testament. Our Lord Jesus said to Peter, 'You are Peter (Petros - a stone) and on this rock (Petra - a rock) I will build my church'. For well over 30 years, the continuing prayer of trustees, faculty and students has been that Nungalinya may be the place where the Church our Lord will be built on the Rock foundation, especially among the indigenous people of Australia.

On 4 August, 1974, Archbishop, Sir Frank Woods, the Anglican Primate of Australia laid the 'foundation stone' for the College, in the form of a big, round granite stone from the Mount Bundy mines.

The College logo is Omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet, which looks like a big rock. Jesus said in Revelation 22.13 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End'. Omega was also an early Christian symbol of the resurrection, because the letter looked like and reminded them of the stone which was rolled away from the tomb when Jesus rose from the dead.