Booth College Launched

Last night at the Graduation Celebration held at 69 Bourke St. Melbourne, I officially launched the new Booth College model for the Australia Southern Territory. The following is the speech I gave at that event.

BOOTH COLLEGE LAUNCH

 Three years ago, we considered a concept in which all education and training across the Territory might be drawn  into a coordinated whole.

In the last eighteen months, the concept has evolved into a dream. A dream in which the Territory’s sustainability can be ensured by employees and volunteers, officers and soldiers, receiving necessary training for government compliance and best practice. A dream in which the Territory’s strength can be enhanced by soldiers and officers, volunteers and employees, learning and understanding what is our mission, and standing strong within it. A dream in which the Territory’s strategy can be extended by officers and soldiers, employees and volunteers, becoming developed in their capacities so that we might meet the challenges that are yet only on the horizon. A dream in which we can all share.

The concept evolved into a dream, and the dream has now become reality.

Tonight, it is my very great pleasure to launch – officially – the new Booth College (Australia Southern). I say officially, because there has been much that has happened already under the careful guiding hand of Lieut-Colonel Frank Daniels, whose portfolio includes education and training. I also acknowledge with thanks our indebtedness to Commissioner Vic Poke, who graciously agreed to facilitate the initial implementation process with a steering group that has done a great deal of work to this point.

Booth College will be comprised of three schools, a business unit, and a coordinating process that will include a strategic development board. Booth College will ensure that learning, training and development activities are delivered in an integrated, coordinated, consistent and cost-effective manner across the organisation.

Each school in Booth College has a specific purpose and function.

The School for Officer Training has really been in existence for over a century, known under the name of the Training College. This school will continue to prepare people who have been called and accepted for training and equipping for their distinctive service to God as covenanted officers within the mission of this Territory.

The School for Christian Studies has been operating under the Training College model since late 2006, when we became part of the Melbourne College of Divinity. I acknowledge the presence here tonight of the President of the Melbourne College of Divinity, Reverend Dr Terry Curtin. I also acknowledge the Dean and CEO, Professor Paul Beirne – who has recently had surgery and cannot be here tonight but who has been a good friend to us. The School for Christian Studies will continue to provide and promote quality higher education accredited studies for Salvationists and members of the wider community. It will enrich each learner’s understanding of the human experience and the eternal life-transforming truths that permeate the Christian tradition, including the holiness tradition and the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army.

The School for Learning Training and Development is in process of being formed. This school will provide education and training support for the induction and ongoing development of all people involved in serving and ministering to the community through the mission centres across this Territory. This school will include the delivery of accredited vocational training and assessment services.

The two schools that are currently operating – the School for Officer Training and the School for Christian Studies – will continue to operate under the leadership of Majors Geoff and Kalie Webb. The new school will be led by Major Jim Weymouth, who returns from overseas service. Major Weymouth is an outstanding educator, with considerable experience, and we are very pleased that, as Director, he will be responsible for the establishment of the new school. He is also appointed as Assistant Secretary for Personnel – Booth College, and in that role he will bring wise leadership to the ongoing process of developing and integrating Booth College.

Concept into dream, dream into reality, reality into the future.

In the future, we intend for Booth College to be housed in a new centre of learning excellence. The existing Training College campus at Parkville has reached the end of its economic life and is in need of major refurbishment or complete redevelopment. No longer is it adequate for current and future needs, nor is it possible to redevelop on-site. Early planning is taking place to develop the new learning centre.

We are taking these bold and necessary steps to ensure the future strength and sustainability of learning and education in our Territory. Why? Because we face a future in which the needs of clients, and the expectations of our people, of governments, and of the community, are becoming increasingly complex and diverse. Just as our Territorial Strategic Plan is intended to provide an overarching territorial strategy that can respond to our present and future needs, so Booth College will be a part of that process. It will deliver learning, training and development activities that are aligned with our mission and aimed at meeting the long-term strategic needs of our Army.

Making the Future in the Present.