What is going on with the old Wanganui campus?

By Djembe Archibald

Jan 15, 2025

Banmira Senior Campus on Parkside Dve, Shepparton. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Since the four state high schools in the area merged, there’s been talk of what should be done with the skeletons of the previous schools.

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It was revealed in late 2023 that the former Wanganui Park Secondary College campus would be a new site for Banmira Specialist School, formerly Verney Rd School.

The name means ‘valley’ in both Yorta Yorta and Bangerang language, and the rebranding happened to honour the Traditional Owners.

The timeline was fixed, with an original date of 2026 for the change to happen, but was updated to early 2025, so what’s it look like now?

The Wanganui campus during construction in December 2023. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

A Victorian Department of Education spokesperson said the timeline was looking good.

“Banmira Specialist School will open as scheduled for Term 1, 2025,” the spokesperson said.

“Junior students will be relocating from the Verney Rd campus to the completely transformed home of the former Wanganui Park Secondary College.

“The current Verney Rd site will become the senior school, serving students in Years 7 to 12 until the entire school is fully transitioned with stage two funding.”

However, it is unclear when we will learn more about the stage two funding.