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Country Communities Fight To Keep Ag Education

Liberal Member for Gippsland Province Philip Davis has congratulated the Gippsland community on its fight to keep agricultural education in Warragul and Leongatha.

By Phillip Davis - 12th November 2004 - Back to News

The University of Melbourne this week reversed its decision to relocate agricultural courses from its regional campuses to Shepparton, after intense protest from the Opposition, university staff, students and local industry.

Mr Davis told the Parliament yesterday that country communities across the state campaigned vigorously for the retention of the regional campuses of the University of Melbourne, including McMillan at Leongatha and Warragul, Longerenong at Horsham, Glenormiston at Terang and Gilbert Chandler at Werribee.

"There was a very strong campaign by the communities involved in the Longerenong, Glenormiston and McMillan campuses in Gippsland which effectively forced the hand of the university, and the university has reversed its position as a result of a board meeting," he said.

But Mr Davis warned the Parliament that the issue was not over, it was now up to the university to properly consult with the regional communities where these campuses are located before drastic decisions are made in the future.

"The issue has not declined from significance," he said.

"All we have is a window of opportunity to ensure that there is proper process in place so those regional communities can be engaged with the university to ensure a proper long-term outcome for those campuses, and I urge the university to take that initiative."

Mr Davis said it was vital Gippslanders were given the opportunity to complete agricultural studies close to home.

"If this relocation had gone ahead, we would have seen the end of agricultural education in Gippsland," he said.

"Travelling to Shepparton for study is just not an option for the majority of Gippsland students, many of whom are actively involved in working the family farms and have other commitments.

"The strong link between the McMillan campus and the agricultural industry would have also been broken, resulting in devastating effects on training and employment opportunities.

"I congratulate the Gippsland community for fighting hard to retain the dairy, horticulture, harness and equine courses at the McMillan campuses, and for not giving in to the university hierarchy.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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