Supporting educational outcomes for young people

Published: 13 December 2024

Toomah Community Centre in Pakenham will become the new home of ECG Secondary College’s senior campus from 2025.

Cardinia Shire Council has entered into a lease agreement with ECG Secondary College to run Year 11 and 12 classes from the facility from term 2, 2025. Year 9 and 10 classes will also commence from ECG Secondary College’s existing campus at the Council-owned building at 126 Princes Highway, Pakenham, in term 2.  ECG Secondary College, which has provided education services in the Gippsland region since 1974, is a small alternative secondary school that delivers hands-on, practical, empowering education for students aged 13 to 20. 

Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik said Council was excited to welcome ECG Secondary College to Toomah Community Centre in 2025. 

“The way our community uses this valued facility is evolving to better support the community now, and into the future,” Mayor Kowarzik said. 

“Council is committed to supporting and improving educational outcomes for our young people and we are excited to expand our partnership with ECG Secondary College. The new space will allow the college to offer a greater variety of educational options and provide more students in Cardinia Shire with the opportunity to access education that works for them.  

“Council’s Liveability Plan 2017–29 highlights our commitment to ensuring we are planning for education and training facilities that meet the diverse needs of our growing population, as well as improving access and opportunities for continuous learning.” 

ECG Secondary College will share Toomah Community Centre with existing community service providers, Windermere Child and Family Services and Limebox Café.  

All three organisations are passionate about supporting the community through a variety of services. Limebox Café is known for their catering, café and food distribution to vulnerable community members, as well as training opportunities. Windermere provides solutions for complex issues faced by children, families, and individuals, including counselling, family wellbeing, housing support, NDIS, disability services, family daycare and more.  

Windermere has also managed the spaces for hire at Toomah Community Centre on behalf of Council, which will now be used for college classes. Therefore, casual hire of spaces at Toomah Community Centre will no longer be available.  

For a full list of hireable spaces in Cardinia Shire, please visit the Booking Cardinia website or call 1300 787 624. 

For more information about the services that will operate from Toomah Community Centre in 2025: 

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