College History
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"Inspecting The Crop" |
On 9 February, 1959 the Education Department opened the School with an enrolment of 20 students. The original area, of some 384 hectares, was increased when the “Warrigal” property of 358 hectares, situated close to the Cunderdin Township was purchased.
Most of the existing buildings were constructed in the 1970’s. These included the three main dormitory blocks, Dining Room and Library/Classroom block.
A much needed administration block and staffroom was completed in July 1981.
Following the Report of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Education (McDowell Committee) the College became separate from the Town School and was renamed Cunderdin Agricultural College in 1984.
In 1996, the College purchased a further 445 hectares (known as Baxter’s land) which adjoins our College on two sides. This purchase brought the total land available to the College to 1,585 hectares. In 2000 the College purchased a further 529 hectares from Fiegert’s. The total farm area is now 2,114 hectares. Of this total 1,347 hectares is arable.
A new Design and Technology Centre designed by College staff specifically to cater for the workshop needs of students was completed in February 1996. Also completed in February 1996 was the extensive Student Recreation Centre. Students now enjoy the benefits of indoor basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and pool. The building also has a weights area, seminar / conference room, computer laboratory and a canteen / cafe area. All these areas were air-conditioned in 2002.
In September 1999, the College was independently validated to achieve Registered Training Organisation (RTO) status.
Following an announcement by Mr Colin Barnett – Minister for Education, the five residential Agricultural Colleges formed a consortium in January 2000 named the Western Australian College of Agriculture.
In 2002 the College re-registered as a RTO (Registered
Training Organisation) under the new Australian Quality Training
Framework (AQTF). The College is registered to deliver a range of level II qualifications from five industry areas.