In 1950, Eastwood Evening College, which would later become Macquarie Community College, opened its doors under the motto “Dum Spiro Disco”, meaning “While I breathe, I learn”. Today, that commitment to lifelong learning is as strong as ever, with the College standing at the forefront of community-driven adult education across Greater Sydney.
As the College celebrates its 75th year, it remains committed to helping create stronger communities through the power of learning and connection. This includes delivering Foundational Skills and Adult Community Education (ACE), Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) and Vocational and Training (VET) courses. All of which enable people to move through training to employment and into meaningful work.
Alongside these courses, Macquarie Community College offers more then 50 short courses that are designed to help individuals connect through their love of lifelong learning. From computers for seniors and creative writing, to sports & fitness and arts and crafts, the College provides fun and interesting ways to keep the mind and body active.
Stories from the Heart of Macquarie Community College
One person who was at the heart of these Leisure and Self Improvement courses for over 27 years is, Paula Sheehan the program’s coordinator between 1991 and 2018.
“I’m so proud to see the College celebrate 75 years of community education and to have played my part in achieving such an impressive milestone.
It’s great to know that I’ve helped build a place for people to connect, make new friends and explore their interests together.”
Paula, who describes joining the College as “one of the best decisions I ever made,” says that a lot has changed since her first day over three decades ago.
“When I started, mobile phones and video calls weren’t really a thing. It was all completely different. I coordinated the evening program at Cumberland High School and a few community halls across Carlingford and Ryde. From there the College has just grown and grown,” says Paula.
Today Macquarie Community College delivers its broad range of programs through seven dedicated campuses across Greater Sydney including Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Ryde and Mount Druitt. Each location offers education and training that is tailored to the needs of students, employers and communities.
“I love that the College cares about its students in their community, the entire team understands and delivers exactly what the very different communities need,” says Paula. “I think that’s been the secret to its success. Everyone knows that the short courses especially provide purpose and connection that people may not get elsewhere,” she adds.
One fellow team member who stands out for his passion for the Leisure and Self-Improvement courses is Malcolm Harrison, who headed up the program between 2012 and 2017, before moving on to support the College Board and its Alternative High School, Gateway Community High.
“To me the College will always be about connection. I remember countless students who would come for one class and then return again and again because of the people they met there, from teachers to fellow students.
For me, that sense community extended beyond the walls of the College. I would walk through any number of suburbs across Sydney and constantly bump into people who’d attended our classes. Knowing that our students would have also had that sense of connection to community is a great honour.”
Malcolm is proud to have been part of Macquarie Community College’s 75 years in Greater Sydney and is keen for the College to continue growing its impact.
“There are a lot of community organisations that have come and gone in the last 75 years, but The College is going strong because they adapt to what people need,” he says.
“Greater Sydney is changing, it’s growing, and Macquarie Community College has the passion to ensure everyone can benefit from quality education and training. That could mean anything from providing younger people with a place to connect away from screens, to giving new migrants ways to find friends.
“It’s exciting to know that Macquarie Community College will continue to be that place of connection through education for the next 75 years to come,” concludes Malcolm.