- Published:
- Friday 22 December 2023
The Allan Labor Government is providing the best educational opportunities for families in Greater Shepparton, with all former secondary school sites now being used for community and learning purposes.
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative has signed a lease to house its family service programs and administration staff at the former Mooroopna Secondary College site on Echuca Rd, giving local families and young people support close to home.
This is the final secondary school site to be confirmed for community use, following the former McGuire College site on Wilmot Rd, Shepparton, and the former Wanganui Park Secondary College on Parkside Dve, which have also been retained for educational use.
The three sites have been repurposed following the creation of Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC), which opened in 2022 as a single campus on Hawdon St.
The Mooroopna campus will house:
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, meeting the needs of local families and bringing a significant economic boost to the town’s north end
Westside Performing Arts Centre and the Coulson Centre, allowing live theatre and sporting uses to continue into the future.
The Wanganui campus will host:
An expanded campus for Verney Road School, delivering its supportive learning programs to more parents, carers and children from 2025
The Visy Centre, keeping children active at its gymnasium and sports oval
Scouts and GV Woodworkers buildings for multi-purpose community use.
The McGuire campus will be home to:
GOTAFE Trade Training Centre, helping upskill local vocational learners
Shepparton Flexible Learning Centre’s head office and main classroom
GSSC’s Intensive Learning and Support Program
The new government-owned childcare centre co-located with Wilmot Rd Primary School, to open in 2026.
The fourth secondary school in the merger, Shepparton High School, now houses the GSSC's Neighbourhood buildings, double gymnasium, enterprise centre, hardcourts and full-size oval. The original Shepparton schoolhouse was also retained and houses the college’s wellbeing team and allied education agencies.
GSSC was created as part of the Shepparton Education Plan to transform local education, enabling more local students broader choices, new opportunities and better educational support. The school is designed to improve participation in learning, with extensive facilities to support students to transition to TAFE, university or work.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Ben Carroll
“I am delighted to support the use of these former school sites for such positive community and education uses.”
“This gives the young people of Shepparton and Mooroopna places to meet, learn and explore their creativity while getting educational and community support to help them reach their full potential.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“Strengthening community ties and providing support for young people in Shepparton and Mooroopna is going to help set them up for life and give them the chance to explore their passions.”
“I’m thrilled that the community will continue to make use of these sites.”
Quote attributable to Rumbalara CEO Felicia Dean
“Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd has a long and proud history in the Mooroopna area, and we look forward to expanding and utilising the space available at the former school site to support Community.”