About Us
Over 40 Years of education and community support in the Toowoomba Community.
Vision Statement
Our vision is a learning community that is empowered, sustainable and compassionate. Mission StatementOur mission is to facilitate and support a culture of lifelong learning and evolution of ideas. We do this by providing practical tools and solutions in education, sustainable practices and positive and meaningful community interaction. |
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About The CEDAR CentreCEDAR Centre is a community based education centre that has been providing accredited training, community education and access to a variety of learning and meeting environments for over 40 years.
Previously known as Toowoomba Education Centre, the organisation now offers a range of qualifications as a Registered Training Provider (No. 5987) from Certificate II through to Diploma level qualifications in Aged Care, Disability, Early Childhood, Education Support, Community Services, Mental Health, Business Administration, Foundation Skills and Hospitality. We specialise in collaborative partnerships designed to assist our diverse community members to achieve their goals and maintain sustainable and meaningful interactions through education, employment and community engagement. Our new premises in the former Butter Factory in Brook St Toowoomba provide welcoming spaces that support us achieve our mission: To facilitate and to support a culture of ongoing learning and evolution of ideas. |
Did you know?
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Our history: 40 years in the toowoomba community
The CEDAR Centre (previously known as the Toowoomba Education Centre) was established on its present site in 1976 after operating for some time in a building at the rear of the Toowoomba South State School. An area of land in Baker Street, next to McGregor College, was made available by the University on a peppercorn lease. Another site adjacent to the West Special School was also considered before the decision was made to build at Darling Heights.
In 1979, the Centre acquired the old Principal’s residence from Glenvale School and the historic building was relocated to Baker Street and became known as the “White House”. The local branch of SPELD provided funding for the project and for some time adult literacy classes were held in the room. The name has nothing to do with the colour of the building but rather honours the contribution of Pat White-Davison to both SPELD and Toowoomba Education Centre.
In 1982, space was once again at a premium and the former Methodist Church at Drayton was relocated and became the Maths Centre.
1986 saw further extensions with a double classroom block from Middle Ridge State School added to the complex.
Since that time the building housing the Resource Centre (now the Handley Room) was constructed using Centre generated funds, as was the printery and office area.
Between 1999-2001, renovation of existing buildings occurred and an outside deck was added.
In 2010, the centre was successful in securing funding under the Building the Education Revolution. The new building has two training rooms equipped with interactive whiteboard technology, wireless technology hearing loops for the hearing impaired and the video conferencing unit and disability access.
In 1979, the Centre acquired the old Principal’s residence from Glenvale School and the historic building was relocated to Baker Street and became known as the “White House”. The local branch of SPELD provided funding for the project and for some time adult literacy classes were held in the room. The name has nothing to do with the colour of the building but rather honours the contribution of Pat White-Davison to both SPELD and Toowoomba Education Centre.
In 1982, space was once again at a premium and the former Methodist Church at Drayton was relocated and became the Maths Centre.
1986 saw further extensions with a double classroom block from Middle Ridge State School added to the complex.
Since that time the building housing the Resource Centre (now the Handley Room) was constructed using Centre generated funds, as was the printery and office area.
Between 1999-2001, renovation of existing buildings occurred and an outside deck was added.
In 2010, the centre was successful in securing funding under the Building the Education Revolution. The new building has two training rooms equipped with interactive whiteboard technology, wireless technology hearing loops for the hearing impaired and the video conferencing unit and disability access.
Funding and Growth
The Education Centre program was Federally funded and administered by the Schools Commission. Broadly speaking, the aims of the initiative were to address the Commonwealth’s Education agenda and public committees were established in areas across Australia to access funds. Eleven Centres were established in Queensland (Brisbane, Toowoomba, Bayside, Warwick, Townsville, Redcliffe, Innisfail, Cairns, Tolga, Mt Isa and Mackay). With the exception of Brisbane, centres enjoyed considerable state Education Department support by way of premises provided in schools and / or staff salaries paid for by the Education Department. While this arrangement worked well for many years, Departmental support was gradually withdrawn following the creation of School Support Centres in 1992.
Commonwealth funded Education Centres were so successful in the 70’s and 80’s that a large number of state funded Teachers’ Centres sprang up all over the state, using basically the same model. These were not part of the Departmental structure and were, in the main, staffed by “phantoms” – relieving teachers, consultants, etc. These all disappeared in 1992 when School Support Centres were established and once again Queensland was left with the seven Commonwealth funded Centres. (Centres in Warwick, Bayside, Redcliffe and Tolga had disappeared in 1988 following a 10% cut in Commonwealth funding).
Over the years, funding to Education Centres has decreased. Sadly, one of the consequences of reduced funding was the closure in 2001 of the Regional Resource Centre which had offered a range of services highly valued by schools and other members of the community.
As Government funding has never been sufficient to fund the operations of the highly successful Education Centre model, Centres have become entrepreneurial in generating income to fund their diverse community operations. Many have become involved in labour market programs, community development, training, and printing (particularly of teacher resources and curriculum materials).
Centres thus became “Community Businesses”, sustaining their operations through self initiated growth and funding.
The Centre began delivering nationally accredited VETEC courses in 1997. Our first venture into this field provided training for in excess of 420 teacher aides in Certificate III in Education. The Centre also provides training facilities for community organisations, industry and business. (The recently renovated Paradise Centre can accommodate large groups.)
Education Centres provide a wonderful service to their communities. They have established a well organised and efficient infrastructure to provide excellent support for their clients. One of their strengths is their ability to respond creatively to changing circumstances.
In 2001 Toowoomba Education Centre changed its status from an incorporated body with a Management Committee structure (under the Religious and Charitable Institutions Act) to a Non Profit Company Limited by Guarantee. It no longer receives any government funding.
As it is a community based organisation, the Toowoomba Education Centre endeavours each year to support a number of local events. We are major sponsors, together with The Chronicle, of the Kath Dickson Awards and have also been associated with Austcare and Refugee Week for many years.
Commonwealth funded Education Centres were so successful in the 70’s and 80’s that a large number of state funded Teachers’ Centres sprang up all over the state, using basically the same model. These were not part of the Departmental structure and were, in the main, staffed by “phantoms” – relieving teachers, consultants, etc. These all disappeared in 1992 when School Support Centres were established and once again Queensland was left with the seven Commonwealth funded Centres. (Centres in Warwick, Bayside, Redcliffe and Tolga had disappeared in 1988 following a 10% cut in Commonwealth funding).
Over the years, funding to Education Centres has decreased. Sadly, one of the consequences of reduced funding was the closure in 2001 of the Regional Resource Centre which had offered a range of services highly valued by schools and other members of the community.
As Government funding has never been sufficient to fund the operations of the highly successful Education Centre model, Centres have become entrepreneurial in generating income to fund their diverse community operations. Many have become involved in labour market programs, community development, training, and printing (particularly of teacher resources and curriculum materials).
Centres thus became “Community Businesses”, sustaining their operations through self initiated growth and funding.
The Centre began delivering nationally accredited VETEC courses in 1997. Our first venture into this field provided training for in excess of 420 teacher aides in Certificate III in Education. The Centre also provides training facilities for community organisations, industry and business. (The recently renovated Paradise Centre can accommodate large groups.)
Education Centres provide a wonderful service to their communities. They have established a well organised and efficient infrastructure to provide excellent support for their clients. One of their strengths is their ability to respond creatively to changing circumstances.
In 2001 Toowoomba Education Centre changed its status from an incorporated body with a Management Committee structure (under the Religious and Charitable Institutions Act) to a Non Profit Company Limited by Guarantee. It no longer receives any government funding.
As it is a community based organisation, the Toowoomba Education Centre endeavours each year to support a number of local events. We are major sponsors, together with The Chronicle, of the Kath Dickson Awards and have also been associated with Austcare and Refugee Week for many years.