EDUCATE ME
EDUCATE ME
Macquarie Community College expands to Mount Druitt, celebrates 75 years of lifelong learning
In a milestone moment marking 75 years of transforming lives through education, Macquarie Community College has opened the doors to its newest campus in the heart of Mount Druitt. This expansion is more than a celebration— it’ s a reaffirmation of the College’ s long-standing commitment to making high-quality, affordable adult education accessible to all, especially in Western Sydney.
From its beginnings in 1950 as Eastwood Evening College, Macquarie Community College has grown into a leading, multicampus training and education provider. Today, Macquarie Community College stands at the forefront of community-driven education across Greater Sydney, delivering realworld outcomes that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and drive economic progress.
The new Mount Druitt campus stands as a testament to that journey— bringing with it the College’ s vision of stronger
Harmony Day with SBS and Theresa Collignon.
communities through the power of learning and connection.
“ Opening this campus in Mount Druitt is another step in our 75-year journey of meeting communities where they are and offering the kind of learning that changes lives,” said Ian Maitland, Chair of the College Board.
“ We are proud to continue building better futures through quality training and education right here in Western Sydney.”
Designed as a central hub for placebased adult education, the new campus will offer a wide range of accredited and nonaccredited courses, from English language, reading, writing and maths, to digital literacy, computer skills, job-seeking support, and employment readiness training.
Students can also enrol in nationally recognised qualifications that open doors to employment in sectors such as aged care, disability support, business, early childhood education, and hospitality. The campus will also be home to the Skills for Education and Employment( SEE) Program, which plays a vital role in helping adult learners improve their core skills
75th anniversary,( R-L) Sumati Advani, Vijyata Kirpalani, Theresa Collignon, Stephen Wells.
and prepare for the workforce or further education. This reflects the College’ s focus on working with individuals facing barriers and disadvantage, empowering them to create better futures through foundational and skills-based training.
With six dedicated campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt and Ryde, a workforce of over 170 passionate staff, and hundreds of classes also delivered online and in local community settings, Macquarie Community College is uniquely positioned to address challenges such as education affordability, unemployment, and skills shortages.
The Mount Druitt campus is now open, with new classes launching in Term 3, starting mid-July 2025. For more information or to enrol, visit www. macquarie. nsw. edu. au.
Stephen Bali and the college team.
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 52 // JULY 2025 17