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Muresk Institute is Western Australia’s skills hub for modern agriculture. Our core focus is to work closely with our partners to bring the best industry driven training opportunities, knowledge and skills to Western Australia.
Through our partners we offer a wide range of nationally accredited courses, as well as workshops and professional development, hand-picked from leading training providers and industry experts across the country.
Muresk Institute is also a favourite conference, function and training facility. We accommodate groups small and large, from 8 to 150 people, including business, government and community events with accommodation, meals and all the latest technology in the beautiful surrounds of the Avon Valley.
Watch the video below to learn more about our rich history and our journey from an agricultural college to Western Australia’s skills hub for modern agriculture.
Muresk Institute historical timeline
1925
‘Muresk Farm’ was purchased by the Western Australian State Government from Mrs EW Cotton, daughter of founding farmer Andrew Dempster.
1926
Muresk Agricultural College was established, with 16 students commencing classes on 14 September 1926, with the initial focus being animal husbandry.
1942-1945
Muresk was closed for a short period due to World War II.
1969
Muresk became part of the Western Australian Institute of Technology, the first agricultural college in Australia to become part of a larger institution of higher education.
1976
On its 50th anniversary in 1976 Muresk hosted the International Sheep Breeding Congress which attracted delegates from around the world.
1977
Muresk introduced the first undergraduate degree in agribusiness in Australia.
1990
Bulletin magazine named Muresk as Australia’s best tertiary education in agriculture.
1994
A four year Bachelor of Agriculture and Bachelor of Horticulture were introduced.
2001
A new agribusiness program was introduced. At this time there were 23 PhD and nine Masters students enrolled in research programs at Muresk.
2012
The responsibility for Muresk’s operation was transferred from Curtin University to the State Government. The Department of Training and Workforce Development established Muresk Institute as a multi-tenanted, multi-functional facility for training, higher education, research, professional development and learning extension.
2014
Delivery of the Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management.
2015
Delivery of the Integrated Diploma and other milestones including the delivery of training to 1000 students.
Source: A History of Muresk by Glen McClaren (unpublished) and Peter Maskell MA thesis; and communication with John Janes, Jeanne Jujnovich, Ian Fairnie and Tricia Slee (Sept. 2001).