Media Release (30 January 2006)

Students To Be Welcomed to Gippsland Education Precinct

Kurnai students are to be officially welcomed to the innovative new Gippsland Education Precinct by Brendan Jenkins, Member of Parliament for Morwell District at 8.30 a.m. on January 31, 2006.

Earlier today 350 Year 11 and 12 students from Kurnai College commenced classes at the unique education provider located in the heart of the Monash University Campus.

“This is an exciting day for students and staff,” said Margaret Corcoran, Kurnai College Principal. “Today marks the start of a new era of secondary education in the LaTrobe Valley and across Gippsland."

The Precinct now involves students from Monash University, GippsTAFE, Gippsland Group Training (GGT) and Kurnai College. Some TAFE and GGT students commenced studies on the Campus in early 2005.

“As an educator and someone who lives and believes in this community, I am thrilled that this has come to be,” said Associate Professor Harry Ballis, Executive Director of the Precinct and Deputy to the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Monash University Gippsland Campus. “The Precinct has been in planning for several years and to finally come to fruition today provides a real sense of achievement for all of us and more importantly, amazing opportunities for our youth.”

The Precinct is a key initiative of the Victorian Government aimed at addressing the low educational and employment outcomes of young people in the Latrobe Valley in particular, and the wider Gippsland region. The initiative aims to tackle the high levels of youth disengagement and low level of transition from school to tertiary education, training and employment. Another key objective of the Precinct is to redress the drift of more able secondary students to institutions outside the local area.

“This isn’t just about the fantastic new facilities, it is also about changing the way people look at education and the way the providers work together,” said Joe Piper, Executive Officer of the Precinct. “Now that everyone has commenced we can really start thinking creatively to make a real difference to our youth.”

It is anticipated that the Precinct development will boost business and community confidence, facilitate longer-term economic growth, and improve economic and social opportunities in the region. It will also become a substantial draw card for potential investors in the region.

For information contact: Sharon Foster, Marketing and Public Affairs, Gippsland Campus. phone +61 3 512 26594