Future of former McGuire, Wanganui and Mooroopna and secondary college sites revealed

By Taylah Baker

Dec 22, 2023

**Old school, new purpose:** The Mooroopna Secondary College site usage has been confirmed. Photo by Megan Fisher

The Department of Education has cemented its plans for the former secondary school sites in Shepparton.

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The Mooroopna Secondary College site usage has now been confirmed, fulfilling the Victorian Government’s promise to retain all sites for community and learning purposes.

The Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative has signed a lease to house its family services program and administration staff at the former Mooroopna school site on Echuca Rd.

According to the department, this will enable local families and young people to receive support close to home and bring a significant economic boost to the town’s north end.

The campus will also house WestSide Performing Arts Centre and the Coulson Centre, allowing live theatre and sporting uses to continue.

The former McGuire College campus on Wilmot Rd will be home to the GOTAFE Trade Training Centre, Shepparton Flexible Learning Centre’s head office and main classroom, and the GSSC’s Intensive Learning and Support Program.

Learners of the younger variety will also be utilising the site as a new government-owned childcare centre co-located with Wilmot Rd Primary School, set to open in 2026.

In November, the department provided an update on the reconstruction of the former Wanganui Park Secondary College located on Parkside Dve.

**Construction zone:** The former Wanganui Park Secondary College site is undergoing significant reconstruction to accommodate the relocation of Verney Rd School. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

After reconstruction, the school will house Verney Rd School, the Visy Centre, and Scouts and GV Woodworkers buildings, which can be used for community purposes.

Verney Rd students will be on-site in 2025, a year earlier than the initial projection of 2026 given by the government in July 2022.

Since merging the former secondary schools in 2022, the Greater Shepparton Secondary College has been located at the former Shepparton High School campus on Hawdon St.

Department’s Minister for Education Ben Carroll said he is delighted to support the use of these former school sites for such positive community and educational uses.

“This gives the young people of Shepparton and Mooroopna places to meet, learn and explore their creativity while getting educational and community support to help them reach their full potential,” he said.