Muresk alumni rally to cause

Edith Cowan University chancellor, Hendy Cowan (centre) will lead a State Government review of education in agriculture. Mr Cowan is flanked by WA Senator Chris Back (left) and Agricultural Region MLC Jim Chown.

The groundswell of discontent that has been building since Curtin University announced its intention to abandon the Muresk campus was made clear at the "Save the Muresk Experience" forum last week.

Former Muresk director Ian Fairnie said the experience of living and working together in consultation with farmers and was whiat set Muresk graduates apart.

"The 65 Muresk graduates in this room can all tell you what it was like and how great it was, but we need to look to the future," he said.

"Muresk graduates are everywhere. Westpac senior economist Justin Smirk is a Muresk graduate. Pastoralists and Graziers Association grains president, Rick Wilson is a graduate as well as Rabobank WA manager Crawford Taylor and so is Landmark chief executive David Timmel.

"Former vice-chancellor of Charles Darwin, UNE and Murdoch universities Mal Nairn is a Muresk graduate.

"So are Meat and Livestock Australia's Blair Bruce, Wellard's Justin Morrissey and ABB Grain's Anthony Fitzgerald.

"Most of these people have said on record that they would not or could not have gone to Perth to study. Where would agriculture be without them?" Mr Fairnie said.

Nationals MP Max Trenorden said there were too many options for Muresk than to have it shut down.

Edith Cowan University chancellor Hendy Cowan has been appointed by Education Minister Liz Constable to review agricultural education in WA.

"The main message I keep getting is there are not enough Muresk graduates, and there is particular value in Muresk graduates," Mr Cowan said.

Mr Cowan said higher education bodies that provided degrees in agriculture were finding a lack of interest in the industry.

""Rural businesses prefer Muresk graduates as they know what it's like to live in the bush and they can survive in any environment."

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