A community that support their own

You could say that the Warrnambool Campus is in Alistair McCosh’s blood.

A young Alistair (BA, DipEd, '92 Deakin) grew up in the area and commenced university at Ballarat before returning home and transferring his studies to Warrnambool.

'I made my way back here because it’s a beautiful part of the world and I’m a surfer. You can’t surf in Ballarat!' Alistair jokes.

Many years later, Alistair is the proud Director of the Deakin Warrnambool Campus, overseeing the university’s long-term plans for the area and its deep connections with local businesses and community groups. He was recently named the Moyne Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year for his work.

Alistair’s story reflects a common one for those who choose to study at the campus, which became part of Deakin University in 1990 following three decades operating as the Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education.

'I’m first in family in terms of going to university. I’m from a building background of tradesmen. I’ve got two older brothers, and my mother didn’t want another builder in the family, so she pushed me to go to university.'

In a nice twist, one of Alistair’s sons, a tradesman, is currently studying at South West TAFE, which is a Deakin partner. In fact, all three of Alistair’s children have ties to Deakin, and his wife, Leisa (BEd ‘91 Deakin) is also a Deakin alum.

At the end of 2016, Deakin committed to the sustainability and growth of the Warrnambool Campus. Underpinning this commitment was a new scholarship program to support the next generation of students drawn from the surrounding region. The local community has been incredibly supportive of the initiative, digging deep to donate $885,000 to directly support students and initiatives in Warrnambool and surrounds in 2022.

This support is particularly important for mature aged students, who comprise a significant part of the Warrnambool cohort.

'Without the university being here, those touchpoints and that opportunity to fulfil a lifetime career opportunity to be a nurse or to be a social worker or a teacher, for example – those opportunities wouldn’t happen because they’d have to leave.'

'I often say to anyone who wants to talk about Deakin – "if you go into any school or hospital or accounting and financial business in our region, you’ll definitely bump into a Deakin graduate",' Alistair boasts.

Alistair’s links to the Warrnambool Campus are many, and he has ensured there will be an enduring connection, thanks to a bequest to the university made in his Will.

'Deakin has played a huge role in my family’s story, so deciding to give back and leave a legacy wasn’t a difficult decision to make,' he says.

As part of his role, Alistair regularly meets with business leaders from across the region who are keen to get involved in the university’s teaching, research and engagement activities. He says his door is always open and has a simple message to those who have big ideas for the future of the Warrnambool Campus.

'Call me.'