South West College of TAFE

Statement of Significance

South West College of TAFE has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
it is an important education facility and community resource for the Bunbury and the South-West that is linked to the regional tertiary education network throughout Western Australia;

Physical Description

Single and double storey cluster of connected buildings constructed of brick, concrete, glass and iron as an educational institution operating as the South West College of TAFE.

History

Bunbury South West College of TAFE was built in 1970 to provide for higher education and technical training the region.

Prior to 1900, adult education was provided through the mechanics’ and miners’ institutes, as well as numerous working men’s clubs. Orphanages and industrial schools established from the late 1860s also had a role in providing occupational training. Perth Technical School was established in 1900, with branches in Fremantle, Midland and the Eastern Goldfields and the School of Mines and Claremont Teachers’ College were both formed in 1902. Technical education continued to grow and by 1910, there were technical classes available in Bunbury, along with Perth, Fremantle, Midland Junction, Claremont, Northam, Albany, Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie, Boulder, Murchison, Wagin and Geraldton.

Bunbury Technical College opened in 1970. It was built by the Western Australian government and was part of a network of Government colleges.

In the 1970s, technical colleges were renamed Technical and Further Education, and are now commonly known as TAFE.

By 1975, enrolments had increased by 95% to 2,562 students. The increase was partly due to the development of new large mining projects in the region, mainly alumina and sand mining. This resulted in new markets for education and training providers such as TAFE in the Bunbury region.

The campus is strategically placed alongside the Edith Cowan University Bunbury Campus and shares student residential facilities at Patterson House. Other shared facilities include a Media Lecture Theatre and Conference Room and there are reciprocal arrangement for access to facilities such as the library. Nearby is the South West Health Campus (St John of God and Public Hospitals). The college also shares a boundary with Manea Park, where the Manea Secondary College is also located.

In the 1990s, Bunbury TAFE became part of the South West Regional College of TAFE. Other campuses are located in Busselton, Collie, Harvey, Margaret River and Manjimup. Bunbury campus is the South West Regional College of TAFE’s major campus and functions as the administrative centre. There are purpose built workshops and laboratories, as well as a training restaurant, a child-care centre, library and open learning centre.

Students are offered a wide range of courses including aquaculture, applied science, business management, building and construction, engineering, fashion, health and fitness, nursing, surveying, tourism and viticulture.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).
The main reception area has undergone extensive alterations and extensions during 1999. Several teaching blocks and trade areas have been added to the Campus since 1970.

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.