Aitken College

Cumberland Building Officially Opened

20 November 2023

After almost a year into its use, 20 November saw the Inauguration of the Cumberland building in the presence of Mr Iwan Walters (Member for Greenvale), Mr Evan Mulholland (Member for Northern Metropolitan Region and Shadow Minister for Home Ownership / Housing Affordability / Outer Suburban Growth), Mr Enver Erdogan (Member for Northern Metropolitan Region and Minister for Corrections, Youth Justice and Victim Support), Mr Naim Kurt (Mayor of Hume City Council) and Chair of the College Board, Ms Marianne Stillwell.

Mr Darren Cheeseman (Parliamentary Secretary for Education, representing Minister for Education Ben Carroll), spoke of his impressions of the College and the importance of investing in education, before joining students in cutting the ribbon to open the building.

We were also joined by founding Principal, Mr Doug Mahoney and two former Chairs of the College Board, Rev Clem Dickinson and Mr Rob Evans along with other dignitaries, College Staff, students and parents.

Mrs Crisara explained that the building was a big project to dream, plan and execute, before thanking the special guests who honoured us with their presence.

She went on to thank the organisations and people who have played a key role in making this project happen:

 

  • The Victorian State Government for the $3 million government grant that went towards the building as part of the outer growth corridor build.
  • The Aitken Community and families for their very generous contributions towards the $13 million project and capital works
  • Hayball Consultants, represented by Kerlina Bahari, Owen West and Richard Leonard, for their architectural advice and expert design (and many, many hours of back-and-forth discussion and consultations)
  • Melbcon Pty Ltd, represented here by Nathan Benson, the construction company that built this project
  • The Victorian Independent Schools Block Grant Authority who has overseen the project represented by Ms Angela Dynan
  • The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
  • Mr Clem Dickinson, the former Chair of the Aitken Board and Mr Doug Whan the former treasure of the Aitken Board, at the time this building was just an idea. 
  • Mr Doug Mahoney former Principal who along with Mr Steve Craven, Ms Pam McDiarmid and Mr Chris Ward who were all instrumental in the early years of starting this school.
  • Our current Board Members represented here today by Chair of the Aitken College Board Ms Marianne Stillwell and Board Member Mr Robert Evans, for their countless hours and tireless work.
  • Our Property Manager Mr Nick Meletis who oversaw the build
  • Our Finance Manager Mr Petar Gajic who had oversight of the finances and brought the project in essentially on budget. 
  • Our Assistant Principal (Primary) Leanne Schulz, and College staff and students who were part of the vision and have given life to this wonderful new building.

This state-of-the-art building is a dynamic space that encourages exploration, collaboration and creativity.  It was designed to provide new learning spaces not only for direct instruction, but also to include break out spaces, indoor / outdoor learning spaces, tutorial rooms, cubbies, performing arts / STEM and visual arts spaces the latter used by all the primary classes. During construction we also considered environmental initiatives such as double glazing, solar panels and the collection of rainwater.

It is important to have creative learning spaces for our primary students to foster a positive and engaging educational environment.  The building is an investment in our future, reimagining education spaces that inspire, captivate, and cultivate the brilliant minds of tomorrow and will be here for many more Aitken students to come.