TAFE SA celebrates 100 years of vocational education in Murray Bridge

This story is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.

Twenty-five years ago, TAFE manager Tom Haig wrote a poem out on a piece of paper, deposited it in a plastic tube, sealed and buried it for the next generation to find.

Last Thursday, Mr Haig – now a celebrant and councillor – was there again as the time capsule was dug up at a celebration of 100 years of vocational education in Murray Bridge.

Mayor Wayne Thorley and state MP Clare Scriven took turns pulling things out of the cylinder: a newspaper, photos, a CD-ROM, a bottle of 1997 cabernet shiraz and paperwork galore.

Read out aloud were the names of everyone in a staff photo from the late 90s; half a dozen of them waved from the audience.

And yes, Cr Haig was pulled up to recite his poem.

The opening of the time capsule was just one aspect of a day-long celebration.

Local school students toured the Swanport Road campus to learn all about the career options open to them through TAFE SA or the Murray River Study Hub.

Murray Bridge High Schoolers performed music and historical items were put on display.

There was even a quilt created by members of Murray Bridge Patches and Quilters for the campus’ 75th anniversary.

Technical colleges had done a lot to help the Murraylands grow and thrive over the years, said TAFE SA executive dean Norman Baker.

“We’re very proud of our contribution to the region, the presence we’ve had in the community over many years and the positive impact on people’s lives,” he said.

“Whether it’s an apprenticeship, a full-time certificate course or even a short course, we take great pride in the huge amount of delivery we do in the regions … by an amazing team of lecturers and administrators.”

Mr Thorley agreed, recalling the cake decorating classes his mum and aunt had taken at the campus in the 1960s, and his own dairy husbandry training in the 70s and 80s.

“TAFE … has provided countless local people with an array of essential skills that have allowed them to participate meaningfully in our workforce, from manufacturing and building trades to health care and many other activities,” he said, pointing to the 150 Bridgeport Hotel 

“VET has helped create career paths which offer opportunities for our community (members) to develop talents, support families and contribute to our local economy.”

Vocational education could transform a community and its economy, Ms Scriven said.

It was important that people could access education and training close to home, and close to their future employers.

First technical school opened in 1924

Murray Bridge Technical School became the first vocational education institution in the district when it opened in late 1924.

An early prospectus shows that students aged 14 to 40 “who wish to obtain secondary education (or) prepare for industrial or commercial pursuits” could choose subjects such as:

• Business correspondence and typewriting, with Mr M.H. Dillon
• Bookkeeping, with Mr W.H. Mildren
• Shorthand, with Mr Dillon
• Drawing: geometrical, mechanical, freehand, object or perspective, with Mr L.J. Skinner
• Engine driving, with Mr Skinner
• Carpentry and joinery, with Mr A. Robson
• Dressmaking, with Miss R.G. Gehrike and Mrs Dennis
• Millinery, with Mrs Moyle

The cost of tuition in 1927 was five shillings per term, or 10 per year – about $24 or $48, respectively, in today’s money.

At that time, classes were held at Murray Bridge Primary School in the evenings.

The separate campus came later, as did the name TAFE, for the state government agency founded in 1971.

As a final part of last week’s celebration, a new time capsule was buried near the TAFE SA sign on Swanport Road, to be dug up in 2049.

What would technical and further education look like a generation from now, wondered TAFE SA executive dean Penny Johnston?

What technology would be in use, and what courses would be taken up that could not yet be imagined?