1995

Kurnai Woolum Bellum, Koorie Open Door Education School.

The Kurnai Woolum Bellum Koorie Open Door Education (KODE) school has been operating since 1995 and is one of three Victorian KODE schools. The school provides a unique learning environment that is culturally appropriate and reflects the educational desires of Koorie students, parents and the local community.

Curriculum development is negotiated between all members of the school community. Using the eight Key Learning Areas as a basic framework, both Koorie and non-Koorie teachers share their approach to planning, teaching and learning. The curriculum recognises the individual needs and particular circumstances of each student by being responsive and flexible.

Glenroy KODE

The Glenroy KODE was established in 1995. The College is a prep-year 12 college and is attached to Box Forest Secondary College. The KODE attracts students from the metropolitan area as far north as Wallan and to Werribee as well as from other inner city areas.

The KODE philosophy is founded upon the dreams of Koorie elders. The KODE campus has a brief to provide the best of Indigenous and the best of Western knowledge in an educational environment that while welcoming all, is firmly based upon key Koorie values of community and respect. This school has resulted in significant structural, curriculum, pedagogy and paradigm shifts creating a holistic educational package that is improving rates of access, attendance, retention and success.

Batdja Pre-School

	Batdja Pre-School was established in 1995 to cater for the specific needs of the Koorie children in the area of pre-school education in the Goulburn Valley. Batdja was established so it could offer Koorie inclusive curriculum and to provide pre-school education in a way that is relevant to the cultural values of the Koorie children while at the same time ensuring that these students obtain quality pre-school education.
In 1996 Batdja Pre-school was awarded a Victorian Children's Services Industry Award "In recognition of excellence in service provision to Koorie children."

1997

Koorie 2000

The Minister for Education, Phil Gude and the VAEAI President, Mary Atkinson, launched the Koorie 2000 policy framework in February 1997. It came out of the Partnership in Education policy in 1990.

Koorie 2000 is an innovative approach to education that provides Koorie people with greater involvement in educational decision-making and aims at improved educational outcomes for them.

Key features for Koorie 2000 include:

• Eight regional Koorie education committees responsible for funding regional Koorie education programs.
  
  
• New emphasis on participation, curriculum, professional development and outcomes-based education.
  
  
• Establishment of a Koorie Education Development Unit with sixteen Koorie education development officers working with regions across Victoria.
  
  
• Introduction of a Koorie Training and Graduate Recruitment Program to boost the number of Koorie students studying education-related courses.

Due to the new millenium, the policy is being reviewed and changed to reflect the changing needs of Koorie students and community.

1998

Mildura KODE school

Established in 1998 the third Victorian KODE campus in Mildura aims to create a learning community which strives for academic, cultural, emotional, physical, social and spiritual well-being of their students through the provision of an Indigenous holistic, inclusive, culturally relevant and supportive educational program. The KODE school wants to create a community of learners who will acquire the appropriate knowledge and develop skills and values so as to be able to pursue post-secondary education, training and career opportunities. This will enable them to become active, decisive and powerful citizens with their local, regional, national and international community.

2000

The Wurreker Strategy

The VAEAI and the Office of Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment (PETE) have worked in partnership since 1990 under the Partnership in Education: Koorie Education Policy. The Wurreker strategy further consolidates this partnership.

An equal Partnership between PETE, the VAEAI, and education and training organisations regarding policy development, planning and delivery will enable quality outcomes to be achieved. It will also enable Koories and Koorie communities to have a voice in their future.

This strategy will have an impact within the education and training environment, as well as in the employment sector.

Institute of Koorie Education Student Residences

The first Koorie Student Residences were built at Deakin University in Geelong under the auspices of the Institute of Koorie Education in 2000. These Student Residences house forty Aboriginal Students from all over Australia. The student residences are an important cultural component of the off-campus based courses at the Institute of Koorie Education and continue to provide student accommodation in 2001.

RMIT Aboriginal Advisory Committee

The RMIT Aboriginal Advisory Committee was established in 2000 to look specifically at the needs of the Koorie students at RMIT. The AAC was established to provide advice on all matters relating to Indigenous education at the University including the implementation of the Indigenous Education Working Party and to respond to the progress made by the University in Indigenous education.