We follow in the footsteps of decades of education professionals and volunteers committed to creating and providing Adult Education programs in their local communities. We proudly continue the dedicated work that commenced in the 1930’s, became formalised in the 1950’s, led to our creation as Macquarie Community College in the 1980’s, and continues today.
Macquarie Community College was established as an independent not-for-profit entity in 1988 through the amalgamation of the Carlingford, Eastwood and North Ryde Evening Colleges.
Macquarie Community College has expanded its services and locations over the years and now serves a diverse range of communities across northern and western Sydney from its campus locations in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mount Druitt and Ryde – in addition to hundreds of classes delivered in other community and employer sites.
Key milestones in the history of the College
1930s
- Schools and community groups started providing formal adult education classes in our communities as part of their commitment to providing opportunities for affordable post-school learning to improve literacy and numeracy and vocational skills.
1950s
- The Eastwood Evening College was first opened its doors on Monday 24th June 1950 and quickly became the largest metropolitan community college in New South Wales.
1980s
- The Macquarie Regional Evening College inc was incorporated under the Associations Act. (1986)
- Macquarie Community College Incorporated was registered as a new entity following various stages of amalgamation and incorporation of the Carlingford, Eastwood and North Ryde evening colleges. (1989)
- The College moved onto the site of the Carlingford Public School and established the Macquarie Business Studies Centre, a specialised training division, which was aimed at providing courses relevant to businesses and employment.
1990s
- The College commenced delivery of the Adult Migrant English Program in Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Ermington. (1998)
- Macquarie Community College Inc. took over the operations of Chatswood Community College. (1998)
- The College became a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 90033) and commenced delivery of nationally recognised qualifications. (1999)
- The College negotiated ownership of the former public school site on Marsden Road Carlingford and use of the renovated heritage building The Parsonage at Top Ryde.
2000s
- The College was incorporated as a public company, limited by guarantee. (2003)
- The College was endorsed as a charitable institution. (2005)
- The Macquarie Business Training Centre was officially opened at Thomas Street in the Chatswood CBD. (2007)
2010s
- Macquarie Community College took over the operations of the former Hawkesbury Community College. (2012)
- Macquarie Community College commenced as a registered provider under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program. (2015)
- Locations expanded to include historic Brush Farm House in Eastwood and the Hawkesbury Leisure and Learning Centre in Richmond and more community and employer-based training.
- The college membership voted to update the College Constitution. (2019)
- The College RTO operation was endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a Deductible Gift Recipient. (2019)
- Establishment of MCC Child and Family Services (2019)
2020s
- Pivot to remote home-based learning to adapt to the Coronavirus-19 pandemic (2020)
- Opening of Gateway Community High at Carlingford (2021)
- MCC Child and Family Services becomes a registered Charity with Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) and Gift Deductible Recipient (DGR) Status (2021)
- Opening of Blacktown Campus (2021)
- MCC designated as High Performing Provider of Smart and Skilled Training by NSW Government (2021)
- Opening of social enterprise café (Epping) in collaboration with The Darcy Street Project and Parramatta Council (2022)
- Expansion of Blacktown Campus (2023)
- Opening of Epping Campus (2023)