Demand for skilled professionals is rapidly increasing, and access to quality education is key to ensuring our region’s future prosperity. The Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE), founded 20 years ago by the Rumbalara Football Netball Club and the University of Melbourne, stands as a beacon of progress, improving education, health, and employment outcomes.
While ASHE’s core mission serves Indigenous students, around 20 to 30 per cent of attendees come from non-Indigenous backgrounds. Starting with just six students, ASHE has grown significantly and now supports 119 learners, producing over 1,000 graduates who are actively addressing the region’s workforce shortages across various fields.
In a major stride forward, ASHE students began studying in Term 3 at the newly opened Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence (MCRE), a cutting-edge campus next to the Shepparton Sports Stadium. The grand opening in August was a historic moment for both the region and the nation. As the first institution of its kind in Australia, the MCRE is a powerful symbol of progress, placing First Nations peoples, knowledge, and culture at the heart of higher education.
Looking ahead to next year, ASHE will transition into the Munarra Academy, marking an exciting new chapter in its journey. With this change, the academy will broaden its educational programs and strengthen partnerships to enhance its impact even further.
“Hopefully, we’ll have even more Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come here and be part of the Munarra Centre and study,” said Heidi Knowles, ASHE’s manager of operations and student success, “That way, we can get more out of our community, out into employment and on their educational journey.”
The MCRE is a cornerstone of the Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity Plan, which aims to build a thriving First Nations economy, bringing new income, opportunities, and shared prosperity to the region. By 2036, this ambitious plan is projected to generate $150M in gross regional product annually, securing a bright future for generations to come.
