Mount Scopus makes move on Caulfield
Mount Scopus Memorial College has announced that it has reached agreement to purchase seven hectares of land on the western side of Caulfield Racecourse from Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) for $195 million.
Dream becomes a reality
The land to be purchased runs from Station Street along Kambrook Road and Booran Road to Glen Eira College and is a similar size to the school’s current main campus in Burwood.
The announcement was made on Monday night at the College’s gala dinner, which was attended by more than 500 guests.
The development will be a purpose-built campus, bringing together the College’s three existing campuses along with a new Centre for Jewish Life.
The announcement is part of the College and Scopus Foundation’s Project Generation initiative, which aims to transform education and community development for Melbourne’s Jewish community. Aside from offering a modern educational experience for students from ELC to Year 12, the new campus will also deliver a range of new facilities for local residents and the broader Jewish community, including a new sports precinct and wellbeing centre, an adult education centre, a creative and performing arts centre, a synagogue, and spaces for community organisations.
Amy Hershan, President of Mount Scopus Memorial College said, “This project represents an exciting new chapter for our school and community. As Mount Scopus celebrates its 75th anniversary, we have an opportunity to create something special for Melbourne’s Jewish community and ensure its continuity and strength long into the future.”
David Gold, President of Scopus Foundation said, “Securing this strategically positioned site represents a major step towards realising our vision for Mount Scopus College. Project Generation delivers much more than a new campus; it will enable future generations of students to learn, grow and thrive in a safe and supportive environment, and will become an important hub for Jewish life in our state.
“We are grateful to the Victorian Government for its ongoing support, and Melbourne Racing Club for sharing our vision and being a constructive partner in achieving this exciting milestone.”
The work to establish a Centre for Jewish Life and consolidate the College’s three campuses into the heart of the Jewish community in Caulfield began a decade ago and has bipartisan support at state and federal levels of government.
The College advises that a consultation process is underway and will continue over the next two years, to ensure the new campus delivers on the needs and expectations of the community and all its key stakeholders. Construction will be staged, with the first facilities expected to be operational by 2030.
The purchase will help MRC clear more than $165 million of debt.
MRC chairman John Kanga said, “I have been highly critical of the $165m in debt incurred by the former committee and executive team in relation to what are considered to be unnecessary and badly executed infrastructure works at Caulfield Racecourse.
This sale will completely clear that debt, reducing risk and stabilising the club’s financial position.”
The land was previously used for stables and other training-related facilities and has been unused since late 2021 after training at Caulfield ended.
