The university
History of La Trobe University
La Trobe University has been one of Australia’s pioneering universities for over forty years. Established and incorporated through an Act of the Victorian Parliament in December 1964, it was officially opened by the Premier of Victoria in March 1967 and began teaching during the first term of that year with 552 enrolled students on Melbourne (Bundoora) campus. It was the third University to open in Victoria.
The University has since grown to accommodate more than 26,000 students including approximately 4900 international students from over 90 countries and 3000 staff. Its campus network now extends to Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne (City), Shepparton, Mildura and Beechworth. Over 130,000 students have graduated from La Trobe University, enabling students access to a global alumni network.
Melbourne (Bundoora), La Trobe's main campus, is located 40 minutes from Melbourne’s city centre in a vast, beautiful bushland setting. This metropolitan campus houses the main research and teaching faculties of the University, including a world-renowned library, the Research and Development Park, an art museum, a medical centre, the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary, residential colleges, food and retail outlets, and sports and recreational facilities.
The Bendigo campus, two hours 150 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, dates back to 1873 when the Bendigo School of Mines and Industries was established. It later became the Bendigo Institute of Technology; and in 1976, this Institute merged with the State College of Victoria, Bendigo (formerly the Bendigo Teachers’ College) to form the Bendigo College of Advanced Education. This College affiliated with La Trobe University in 1991 as La Trobe University College of Northern Victoria, which integrated as a faculty of the University from 1994.
The Albury-Wodonga campus is located on the Murray River in Australia’s largest regional inland centre. It was originally the campus of the Wodonga Institute of Tertiary Education which amalgamated with La Trobe in 1991.
The Shepparton campus is situated two hours drive north of Melbourne in the central north of Victoria. Late in 1993, the University established a presence in Shepparton following a State Government review of higher education in the Goulburn Valley region. Originally co-located with Goulburn Institute of TAFE, the University is currently undertaking planning for a new campus building, part of the Shepparton Education Precinct.
The Mildura campus is located in the north-west on the Murray River, in the centre of an extensive agricultural and horticultural region encompassing Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, and shares some specialist facilities with Sunraysia Institute of TAFE.
The Beechworth campus, located in north-east Victoria is the largest multi-purpose function centre in regional Victoria. Set among heritage listed buildings and gardens, the campus was formerly Mayday Hills Psychiatric Hospital which opened in 1867 and closed in 1995.
The Melbourne (City) campus is located on the fringe of Melbourne’s Central Business District, in Franklin Street. The campus offers a number of postgraduate health sciences and law and management courses and is home to several research centres. It has a wide range of facilities and services including quality conference and teaching facilities.
University Name
La Trobe University is named after Charles Joseph La Trobe, the first Superintendent of the Port Phillip District from 1839 to 1850 and first Lieutenant-Governor of the new colony of Victoria from 1851 to 1854. He supervised the establishment of self-government, the public library, art gallery, a university, and the development of the gold fields.
Governor La Trobe is also famed for ensuring that a minimum of 20 percent of all land in Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs contain parkland. This legislation has helped Melbourne to remain one of the most liveable cities in the world and has contributed to La Trobe's wetland conservation program.
Armorial Bearings
La Trobe University's Armorial Bearings combine significant symbols that encapsulate its history, goals and pride in its Victorian genesis. Australia is represented by the Australian Wedge-Tailed Eagle, one of the world's largest eagles. Victoria is represented by the sprigs of heath, Victoria's floral emblem. The open book refers to the University's commitment to learning. The scallop shells are part of the La Trobe family bearings and have been included to acknowledge the La Trobe name.
University motto
The French motto ‘Qui cherche trouve’ (Whoever seeks shall find) is a modern version of the La Trobe family motto.
The University and its vision
La Trobe is one of Australia’s leading universities with a vision to deliver socially responsible teaching and research that is inclusive, relevant and radical.
La Trobe University will build upon its existing strengths in learning, teaching and research to achieve renown for its academic excellence. The University will benchmark and measure performance in these key areas with the goal of improving its national and international rankings.
In learning and teaching, La Trobe’s vision is to produce graduates with the personal qualities, practical insights and foresight to transform society. The quality and breadth of the University’s degree programs will be continually improved to enhance the quality of the student experience on campus.
To achieve these aims, La Trobe will maintain its diverse student population and safe, supportive campus communities. Student feedback will also be actively sought to enhance the quality of teaching and services. La Trobe students will be challenged and supported along the path to their desired career outcomes.
In research, La Trobe will implement a research strategy, which encourages innovation, specialisation and collaboration.
The University’s researchers are strongly committed to solving some of the leading challenges of our time and will take an active role in the public arena through commentary, publications and information exchange.
La Trobe will continue to emphasise research-led teaching and aim to establish the University as a leader in research training.
La Trobe will strengthen its links with business, government, industry and local communities, and continue to engage with all stakeholders to ensure the relevance of our learning, teaching and research.
As a multi-campus university and one of the most important providers of regional campus education in Australia, La Trobe has a focused regional presence and a strong reputation for community engagement. Through our network of campuses in Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Shepparton, Mildura and Beechworth, we will continue to provide outstanding educational opportunities for students in regional and rural areas and contribute significantly to the development of regional Victoria.
The University remains committed to internationalisation and to producing graduates who will contribute to a global community. Staff and students benefit from the University’s global education network and links in research, teaching, student and staff mobility. More collaborative opportunities in learning, teaching and research will be pursued in the international arena.
Policies and legislation
Act, statutes and regulations
The La Trobe University Act 1964 gives the governing body of the University (the Council of the University) the authority to make statutes and regulations for the management and regulation of the affairs of the University.
Much of this subsidiary legislation directly affects students – their conduct on campus, examinations, payment of fees, and so on. Copies of all legislation are available in each library, student centre, faculty office and many school offices, or go to http://www.latrobe.edu.au/policy/ and follow the link: Regulations and Statutes.
University Policies
The policies of the University may be accessed at www.latrobe.edu.au/policy/ or by Quicklink from the staff or student homepage.
Universities Australia guidelines
The University endorses the guidelines published by Universities Australia, Universities and their Students: Principles for the Provision of Education by Australian Universities. See www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au – Publications – University guidelines.