By JESSE GRAHAM
BOX HILL Institute has been named as the education provider taking over Lilydale’s former Swinburne campus, Premier Daniel Andrews announced.
Mr Andrews joined Minister for Education and Monbulk MP James Merlino and Skills and Training MP Steve Herbert at the campus at 10am on Monday 19 October, to announce Box Hill as the successful bidder for the site.
Mr Andrews said Box Hill Institute (BHI) would work with Deakin University and William Angliss Institute to run courses from the campus as of first semester next year.
The plan for the campus includes TAFE and higher education courses, a childcare centre, a biosecurity centre, and an industry research centre, which will be complemented by the Yarra Ranges Technical School, announced by the government earlier this year.
Mr Andrews said Melba Support Services would also remain on the site, and paid tribute to those who campaigned for the reopening of the campus.
“It was, at the time, described as something that would never happen,” he said.
“It was something that was described at the time as being ‘a bit too much’.
“To everyone who has been involved in the campaign and the fight, everyone who made sure an incoming government knew how important this facility was to the community out here in the east, I say thank you.”
Mr Andrews pointed out former-Healesville resident Amie Templar-Kanshlo (nee Watson) as the one who campaigned as a Swinburne student against the closure in 2013.
Mr Merlino said that re-opening the site was the “single biggest issue” in his time as Monbulk MP, and said the community reaction to the closure was “extraordinary”.
He, along with Mr Andrews, then-Evelyn candidate, Peter Harris, and a group of community members, made the pledge to re-open the site “by any means necessary” in the lead-up to last year’s state election.
Students and principals from high schools in Lilydale and the Yarra Valley were present at the announcement, and joined Mr Andrews for a photo on the front lawn of the campus.
BHI CEO Norman Gray declined to comment on the amount of money BHI had paid in their bid for the site, though the government had previously pledged $10 million to assist in the re-opening.
He said courses would begin at the site as of first semester next year, and that the course offering would reflect demand.
Mr Gray said Bachelor Degrees would be available for students studying on-site, as well as pathway programs to Deakin University.
He said the new buildings on the site would not be complete for another 18 months.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe said she welcomed the announcement of the new providers to the site.
“Box Hill, William Angliss and Deakin are all excellent educational institutions,” she said.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that it will work.
“If it doesn’t, that’s it – no-one’s going to want anything to do with it if it doesn’t.
Ms Fyffe said the situation had been “exhausting”, with Swinburne announcing its closure under the former government and beginning a long process to find a successor.
“We’ve got students there – that’s my main thing,” she said,
“The students have to show by use of their feet that they want this.”
Healesville High School principal George Perini said he was “excited” by the announcement, and praised having facilities, such as the Yarra Ranges Technical School, close to home.
“I think we need to have education for our community as close to our doorstop as you can,” he said.
“It’s going to make a huge difference to students with high potential, and we will make sure that their aspirations and dreams are met through that program.”
Mr Perini said that principals from around the valley would be working with BHI to help determine course offerings.
