YOUNG people will lose aspirations for further education if there was no university presence in Warrnambool, the Beyond the Bell group says.
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Planning and liaison support Adele Kenneally said losing a university campus in the regional city could end the further education dreams of local people.
“Beyond the Bell is about people valuing education and that is linked to the aspirations of young people,” Ms Kenneally said.
“Having Deakin University in our community gives young people the opportunity to see what university life is like.
“It gives them a reason to aspire to further education beyond Year 12.”
Ms Kenneally said maintaining a university in Warrnambool was important for the future of the entire Great South Coast region.
“There are a lot of people from the Portland and Hamilton regions who drive to Warrnambool for their study,” Ms Kenneally.
“That won’t be possible if the nearest campus is in Melbourne, Geelong or Ballarat.
“It will mean further education will be out of their reach.”
Ms Kenneally said some local young people were not ready to go to Melbourne or to larger regional areas straight from school.
“The campus in Warrnambool gives them the opportunity to study while living in their own community,” Ms Kenneally
“It makes it more affordable for families.”
Beyond the Bell covers six municipalities in the Great South Coast.
It will be involved in advocacy and lobbying campaigns to retain the Warrnambool campus.
It is a long-term community-based initiative to improve education outcomes by seeking a cultural shift in the way communities support young people in the region.
“We’ll make sure the Beyond the Bell voice will be heard in that,” Ms Kenneally said.
“Having a university in Warrnambool links to everything in the community and is relevant to each of the goals in Beyond the Bell.”
