E.J. Barker is a past principal of the School of Mines Ballarat and the Library at the Mt Helen Campus is named after him. School of Mines is a predecessor of Federation University. These items relate to the suggestion that Deakin University and Ballarat College of Advanced Education merge. Various letters and documents collected by E.J. Barker related to Deakin University and Ballarat College of Advanced Education. These are discussing the possible merger of the two institutions.e.j. barker, deakin university, ballarat college of advanced education, merger, pro malcolm skilbeck, vice chancellor, john sharpham, director, evan walker, post-secondary education, minister, geelong news, think-tank paper, discussion paper 1987