Centre of Excellence

At the opening: (from right) Rosemary Campbell, Mr Fisher, Mr Acquilina and Mr Rob Logan of TAFE Albury.

Riverina Institute of TAFE's innovation new $7 Million National Environment Centre at Thurgoona has been described by NSW Education and Training Minister John Acquilina as "a teaching and learning resource of world class excellence".

Mr Acquilina was speaking at the official opening ceremony and Open Day at the center on the 6 April 2001 He said the centre provide "state of the art' training resource and was an outstanding example of "best practice in design and construction".

Author, historian, palaeobotanist, scientist and environmentalist Dr Mary White, a special guest at the ceremony, said she was 'privileged to involved in the launch of such an important and worth while project."

Riverina Institute of TAFE Director Rosemary Campbell said the facility would 'surprise and delight visitors with its unique design and environmentally efficient best practices".

The center, 10km northeast of Albury, is nested among Albury-Wodong regional parklands on a 182 ha site complete with agroforestry, olives, sheep, cattle and other organic enterprises. It has linkages with Parklands Albury-Wodonga through a range of environmental projects.

Training resources at the center include a rural science work room, scientific and computer laboratories, general learning areas, a glass house and exhibition space.

Courses offered included natural resource management, bush land regeneration, land conservation and restoration, environmental practices and organic farming.