Aquinas and St. Patrick’s Campus Developments

A message from the Associate Vice-Chancellor Victoria, Dr John Ballard: Coming to the end of our first non-teaching week has provided much needed time for our Properties teams to continue with maintenance and project works on both the Aquinas and St. Patrick’s campuses.

In Ballarat, the new Physiotherapy building is up and running and the refurbishment of Camillas, the 78 bed residential accommodation is scheduled for completion mid-year. Another success in Ballarat has been the refurbishment of the café. Operated by Sally and her mother before her, the new facility is getting the thumbs up from students.

In Melbourne, the planning for the new teaching building adjacent to the Mary Glowrey Building is gaining momentum. To be known as the St. Theresa of Kolkata Building, it will house new teaching space, lecture theatre, student and staff amenities, the Law School and other yet to be determined Schools. The long-term process of upgrading the Mary Glowrey Building continues with the renovation of the basement music rooms; Level 5, International; a new cell culture laboratory on level 3 and on the same level, new chemistry and a psychology laboratories. Minor space reconfiguration in 250 Victoria Parade will include HR and the School of Business.

Another exciting development at St. Patrick’s opened recently called ‘The Track’. It is an initiative of Student Engagement Services – Health Sport and Well Being, and is a meeting place where students can find out about co-curricular activities, enjoy the recreational facilities and be directed to other opportunities on campus and within ACU. Its location in the ground floor of the Daniel Mannix Building, on Young Street, positions it conveniently at the centre of the campus and it is being well patronised by students.

Next month, 23 May, the long-awaited Mary Glowrey Museum will open on the second floor of Cathedral Hall. It will be situated in the same space allocated by Archbishop Carr to Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ, Servant of God as the inaugural President of the Catholic Women’s League in 1916. The museum will tell the story of Mary Glowrey through her letters and interactive displays.

Finally, we are seeking to provide better facilities to support our post graduate students and in the process of seeking additional space.

I would be very interested to hear your thoughts as to how we may continue to improve both the Aquinas and St. Patrick’s campuses. Send me an email: john.ballard@acu.edu.au.