But if you're not changing or improving you are falling behind. That can be said for people in business, sport, in fact life in general.

Warrnambool's Deakin University campus was almost closed in 2016 as student numbers dropped and financial losses rose.

A concerted, united community campaign ensured it remained open.

This week, the university's new vice-chancellor Professor Iain Martin addressed staff and students at the campus for the first time since taking on the new role on July 1.

He is optimistic about the campus' future but realistic too.

He is acutely aware the community values the university campus.

Professor Martin knows the campus has challenges. Federal government changes hurt Deakin Warrnambool.

But changing technology and in turn jobs, careers, also hurt, meaning the university has had to re-position itself.

Professor Martin this week said success at Warrnambool would look different to how success was measured in the past.

He wants to build the campus but it won't be just on the back of undergraduate courses - its previous core offerings.

Deakin Warrnambool needs to become closer aligned with the region's changing economy and industries. The addition of an agribusiness major in 2017 was a promising start. Professor Martin, with a fresh set of eyes and ideas, intends to explore more new frontiers.

Can the university play a role in the region's emergence as a renewable energy hotspot? Can it tap further into the Warrnambool campus' jewel in the crown - marine sciences? Is there a role for re-educating workers whose careers or industries change? Are there more research possibilities?

We need a vibrant university alongside our expanding South West Tafe to foster aspirations among our young people.

The message from Professor Martin is that Deakin is willing to think outside its traditional areas of expertise. That's good news for Warrnambool and the south-west. It's a welcome change from three years ago.