Historical information

The Former Clyde Cameron College was constructed in 1976-7 as a residential training college for trade unions. The college was commissioned and operated by the Trade Union Training Authority (TUTA) from 1977 until its closure in 1996. The design team was the Architects Group and the Commonwealth Department of Construction was responsible for site supervision and contract administration. The building was constructed jointly by Costain Australia Ltd and M.A. & A.W. Chick of Albury. The foundation stone was unveiled by Clyde Cameron in 1976. He was the serving Federal Minister for Labour from 1972 to 1974, Minister for Labour and Immigration 1974 - 1975 and Minister for Science and Consumer Affairs in 1975.
The building was completed at a cost of $6.5 million in 1977. It was one of the most controversial of the 1970s due to its Brutalist architecture. The complex consists of a series of wings of one and two storeys linked by pre-cast concrete pipe walkways. Inside the wiring and pipes were left exposed and painted in primary colours to show off the workmanship.
The accommodation, most of them single rooms, were able to house 70 students at a time with 1200 students to go through each year.
The training college was closed in 1996 and was taken over by the Murray Valley Private Hospital and Murray Valley Radiation Oncology. In July 2008, the Royal Australian Institute of Architects awarded its “25 Year Award for Enduring Architecture” to Clyde Cameron College. The building was again sold in February 2023, although its future is yet to be determined.

Significance

The former Clyde Cameron College is of architectural significance as an example of the late twentieth century Brutalist style and the work of Victorian architect and lecturer Kevin Borland. It also has historical significance for its association with the Trade Union movement, and the Whitlam government, including its role as Australia’s first residential trade union training facility. It is a physical reminder of the influence of the union movement in the 1970s

Physical description

A collection of colour photographs documenting the buildings at the former Clyde Cameron College, Wodonga.