Mount Lawley College celebrates 40th anniversary with Indigenous reunion

MOUNT Lawley College is celebrating history and hosting a 40-year reunion this weekend at Edith Cowan University.

Aboriginal students who studied at Mount Lawley College during the years 1976 to 1985 are invited to take a walk down memory lane at the event and catch up with former class mates from 2pm until 5.30pm.

Former head of Department of Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies said it was a significant and historical milestone.

“This is a celebration of history; the 1976 intake at Mount Lawley was the first supported group intake of Aboriginal students into any higher education course in Australia, and subsequent intakes dramatically increased the number of qualified teachers in WA, plus graduates of other courses,” he said.

“It stimulated group intakes into nearly every university today.”

Mr Sherwood said alumni from this intake have gone on to forge a variety of successful careers.

“We have one University Professor and one senior lecturer, a superintendent of education in the Education Department, several classroom teachers for 40 years, an Aboriginal community administrator, coordinator of a Native Title Corporation, singer songwriter, PhD student and community services worker,” he said.

If you are an Aboriginal student who enrolled in 1976 – 1985, or a staff member of Mount Lawley College during this time, you’re encouraged to email Glenda.kickett@uwa.edu.au for more info about the reunion.

A program of songs, catch-ups, speeches and a tour of ECU’s Kurongkurl Katitjin building at ECU’s Mount Lawley Campus is planned.