Around 12,000 local students will soon be using the latest technology, including robotics and virtual reality, as part of their everyday education.
Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Education James Merlino, Member for Eastern Victoria Daniel Mulino and Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane today visited the Yarra Ranges Tech School to officially open the groundbreaking new facility.
The former Swinburne Lilydale campus had its doors padlocked in July 2013, following the former Liberal Government’s cuts to the TAFE sector. But under this Labor Government the Lilydale Campus was saved, reopened and is now run by Box Hill Institute.
The Yarra Ranges site is one of ten new Tech Schools being built under the Labor Government’s $128 million Tech Schools Initiative, which uses new technology to deliver advanced education and training in science, engineering and maths.
Led by Director, Danny Tay, the Yarra Ranges Tech School includes 20 partner schools and has a local focus on precision manufacturing, digital technologies including medical robotics, sustainability and renewables, food, fibre and biotechnology.
With advice from local industries, students will find real-life solutions to real-life problems using the latest technologies including robotics, virtual reality, 3-D printing and a simulation room.
It is part of the Labor Government’s plan to boost performance in STEM subjects, including a 25 per cent increase in the number of Year Nine students reaching the highest level of achievement in maths, and 33 per cent more 15-year-olds reaching the highest levels in science.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Once boarded up and set to be sold off, this site will now give local students the skills they need for the job they want.”
“It’s no longer a choice between school or getting a technical education. The Yarra Ranges Tech School will mean students can do both.”
“Our Tech Schools will help meet the needs of the next generation of industry, and the next generation of Victorians.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“This education hub at Lakeside Lilydale campus was on the scrap heap after years of neglect under the former Liberal Government – but thanks to the Labor Government, it’s been saved.”
“The re-opening of this campus – combined with the launch of our first Tech School – shows how serious we are about the Yarra Ranges’ future.”
Background Information: List of Partner Schools
| School | Address | Principal |
| Belgrave Heights Christian School | 20 Wattle Valley Road, Belgrave Heights | Andrew Callow |
| Billanook College | 197-199 Cardigan Road, Mooroolbark | Roger Oates |
| CIRE Community School | 2463 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction | Tim Knowles |
| Edinburgh College | 33-61 Edinburgh Road, Lilydale | Tim Borgas |
| Healesville High School | 10 Camerons Road, Healesville | Allan Rennick |
| Lilydale Heights College | 17 Nelson Road, Lilydale | Rosina Fotia |
| Lilydale High School | 25 Melba Avenue, Lilydale | Wendy Powson |
| Mater Christi College | 28 Bayview Road, Belgrave | Mary Fitz-Gerald |
| Monbulk College | 146-148 David Hill Road, Monbulk | Margaret Uren |
| Mooroolbark College | 186 Manchester Road, Mooroolbark | Ann Stratford |
| Mount Evelyn Christian School/Ranges TEC | 135 York Road, Mount Evelyn | Narelle Sketcher |
| Mount Lilydale Mercy College | 120 Anderson Street, Lilydale | Philip Morison |
| Mountain District Christian School | 325 Macclesfield Road, Monbulk | Jason Riding |
| Oxley Christian College | 15 – 49 Old Melbourne Rd, Chirnside Park | Doug Peck |
| Sherbrooke Community School | 311-313 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Sassafras | Sue Holmes |
| Upper Yarra Secondary College | 81-89 Little Yarra Road, Yarra Junction | Scott Tully |
| Upwey High School | 1451 Burwood Highway Upwey | Thomas Daly |
| Worawa Aboriginal College | 60 – 80 Barak Lane | Lois Peeler |
| Yarra Hills Secondary College | 16 Reay Road Mooroolbark | Darren Trippett |
| Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School | 20 Burdap Drive, Mt Evelyn | Janet Taylor |
For more information on the Yarra Ranges Tech School, visit: http://yrts.boxhill.edu.au/
For more information on Tech Schools, visit: http://techschools.education.vic.gov.au