Bunbury Institute of Advanced Education, 1991
For 40 years, ECU South West Bunbury Campus has been transforming access to higher education in regional Western Australia, creating pathways for generations of students to study, build careers and make a difference in their local communities.
From its beginnings in 1986, the Campus has become a cornerstone of the South West region, helping to strengthen the region's workforce, support local industries and demonstrate the powerful difference a university can make when tertiary education is brought closer to home.
The campus started its life as the Bunbury Institute of Advanced Education, part of the Western Australian College of Advanced Education (WACAE). It officially opened its doors on 8 November 1986, with a crowd of nearly 300 official guests, students, parents and friends, to the backdrop of a freak storm. The Hon. Julian Grill MLA, Minister for the South West presided over the formalities.
Address by South West Minister Julian Grill at Opening Ceremony.
Mr Grill's inspiring opening speech set out the plan for the future. "This institute will carry out that critical role we mapped out for it up to the year 2000 and beyond," he said.
According to the College Contact magazine at the time, the opening ceremony had a sense of fun and excitement that was unmistakeable, as "it seemed that everyone thanked everyone from the gardener's labourer through to 'Him' for providing a timely break in the weather for the ceremony".
After ECU was established in 1991, the Bunbury Institute of Advanced Education became part of the new university, forming one of ECU's three campuses (together with Mount Lawley and Joondalup) and now there's ECU City, the new kid on the block.
Having well and truly exceeded this vision, this year the ECU South West Bunbury Campus celebrates 40 years of educational excellence. The Campus today is part of a dedicated educational precinct comprising the South West Regional College of TAFE, Manea Senior College, and the Bunbury Health Campus, which includes St John of God Bunbury Hospital and South West Area Health Services. Major courses include nursing, midwifery, science, medical and health science, teacher education and social work, with significant enrolments in Academic Pathway Programs - opening the door to higher education.
Artist's impression of Bunbury Institute of Advanced Education.
The Campus is a critical part of developing and nurturing talent in the South West region. It is a proof of ECU's long-term commitment to providing education to regional students in a way that supports their learning, wherever they are based.
"The South West region plays a vital role in unlocking regional economic development for the State and delivering quality infrastructure and services. ECU South West, through its Bunbury Campus and integrated learning precincts, transforms lives by increasing options and educational offerings including helping to strengthen growth in emerging industries and the WA economy overall," said Professor Cobie Rudd, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures).
"With 94 per cent of our South West students living within 100 kilometres of the Bunbury Campus, we know that access to high-quality local education matters deeply to our communities. ECU South West helps break down barriers for students from diverse backgrounds, including those living with disability, mature-age learners returning to study, and young people taking their first steps into higher education. By creating pathways that support every individual to be who and what they want to be, we are ensuring that talent, aspiration and potential are never limited by geography or circumstance. The ECU South West Bunbury Campus continues its legacy of an investment in people, equity and the future prosperity of the South West."
The anniversary celebrations will take place at ECU South West Bunbury Campus on Wednesday, 4 November with proceedings commencing at 4pm.
