Koroit and District Primary school principal Michelle Bickley-Miller said the campus had to be retained.

“It would be such a backwards step to lose an option for education in the Western District for young people,” she said.

“We need to fight hard to make sure we have fantastic options.” 

Education department senior adviser and former Warrnambool East Primary School principal Lindy Sharpe said the campus had given the gift of tertiary education to students for years. 

“We just can’t lose it,” she said.

Deakin University student Jocelyn Nelmes said it was vital the campus remained.

“Jane den Hollander said they knew there was a crisis with the lower rate of students so why didn't they sound the alarm sooner, why wait until it's too late?,” Miss Nelmes said.

Warrnambool City councillor Michael Neoh said he would have stayed home had his course been offered.

“We have a lot of students who would love to study locally,” he said.

“It’s critical that Warrnambool has a university.”

Warrnambool College student Amber Hay,12, said she worried about her local study options.

“I want somewhere to go in the future,” she said.