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Back to Caulfield -- 80 years on

16 November 2005

More than 80 years of educational history was celebrated at Monash's Back to Caulfield Reunion yesterday.

Mr John Dann, who joined the campus as computer centre manager in 1971 was one of the guests at the reunion.

About 500 former and current staff and students of the campus gathered to reminisce and see how the campus had changed.

Monash's Caulfield campus opened in 1922 as the Caulfield Technical School, enrolling more than 200 students in wheelwright and blacksmithing courses.

By 1969 it had become the Caulfield Institute of Technology and in 1982 it amalgamated with the State College of Victoria at Frankston and became the Chisholm Institute of Technology.

In 1990, Chisholm merged with Monash and the site became the university's Caulfield campus.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said the number of people attending the reunion was evidence of the great affection many former staff and students felt for the campus. He said the campus would maintain its unique quality but would continue to develop as an important part of the university.

"This is rapidly becoming a jewel in the crown of Monash," he said.

Professor Larkins, Professor Willis and Mr Ramler at the Back to Caulfield reunion.

Monash Deputy Chancellor Mr Paul Ramler, a former student of the campus and a member of Chisholm Institute's board when it merged with Monash, said the event provided an opportunity to highlight changes to the campus.

"Today we want to proudly show you the many changes that have taken place and what the future holds for Monash Caulfield," he told the audience.

"The tuck shop on the old quadrangle has been replaced by a large number of eateries both on, and adjacent to, the campus.

"Parking on the infamous bog on Dandenong Road has been replaced with a multi-storey car park, and tutorials once taught in the flats across the road are now conducted in world-class teaching facilities.

"Times have changed many things, but there is one constant -- Caulfield always was and always will be a caring, friendly innovative campus with staff that go the extra mile for their students and students who come to the campus wanting to learn and enjoy the experience of being part of a special community."

Academic Director Professor Rob Willis said past staff and students had helped make the campus what it is today.

"You should feel justifiably proud and I hope you enjoy reconnecting with the campus and friends you have made here," he said.