Victoria University (VU) was founded in 1916 as Footscray Technical School. After successive mergers with TAFE colleges in Melbourne's western suburbs, VU was established in 1990.

Today, VU is one of the largest and most culturally diverse education institutions in Australia. We are one of only five multi-sector universities offering TAFE and higher education courses.

Our original mandate was to serve the western region of Melbourne and we continue to do this by forging strong links with local communities, government and industry. VU is equally proud to attract nearly 15,000 international students within a total student body of more than 51,000. Around 4500 dedicated research, teaching and general staff join with students to make VU a new school of thought.

Transforming the West and beyond

The idea for a technical school based in the western suburbs of Melbourne was first proposed in 1910 – a time of great optimism when people believed in the power of technical knowledge to positively transform lives and social conditions. It took more than five years of hard work to raise funds to build the school, but in 1916 the Footscray Technical School finally opened its doors. It would become the founding institution for VU.

Arch Hoadley was the school's principal from its founding until his death in 1947. His vision was to develop in students not only a sound technical knowledge but an appreciation of the arts, sport, outdoor and community activities. Under his leadership the school expanded rapidly and began offering trade certificate courses, diplomas in architecture, building and contracting, as well as evening classes. War and a depression saw a dip in numbers but by 1943 there were 2500 students enrolled on courses taught at the Footscray Park and Nicholson Street Campuses.

The following decade saw a gender and cultural shift. Women first enrolled in the day diploma course in 1959, and changes to the Federal Government's immigration policy saw many more European and Asian names entered on the roll.

In 1958 the school changed its name to the Footscray Technical College. Ten years later it changed its name again, this time to Footscray Institute of Technology (FIT), and in 1975 the secondary school component was separated from the rest of the Institute.

By the mid 1980s the expanded curriculum included degree courses and was well beyond the technical focus of the original Footscray Technical School. In 1990, FIT merged with the Western Institute, which had been founded three years earlier to provide TAFE and higher education courses to the outlying suburbs in Melbourne's west. This led to the establishment of Victoria University of Technology (VUT) in the same year. A further amalgamation occurred in 1998, this time with the Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE. In 2005 VUT was renamed Victoria University.

Naming VU

Victoria University was formed by a series of amalgamations with institutions across the west of Melbourne and has undergone several name changes.

The institutions that were combined to form VU, include:

• Footscray Technical School renamed Footscray Technical College
• Footscray Technical College renamed Footscray Institute of Technology
• Footscray College of TAFE
• Newport Technical School renamed Newport College of TAFE
• Gellibrand College of TAFE renamed Western Metropolitan College of TAFE.
• Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE
• Melbourne College of Decoration (Painting, Decorating and Signwriting Programs only)
• Flagstaff College of TAFE
• Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE

Since the University was first formed by Act of Parliament in 1990 it has been known as:

• Victoria University of Technology
• Victoria University

The VU Timeline was developed for the publication,  90 Years, 90 Legends, and shows the many different institutions that came together to form VU.

90 Years, 90 Legends

To celebrate 90 years since the founding of the Footscray Technical School – the oldest institution that is part of VU – we compiled a book celebrating 90 of the most amazing people associated with the University.

The book, 90 years, 90 legends, can be ordered from the VU Bookshop. 

Historical artefacts

The VU Library curates an interesting collection of artefactsrepresenting the University's history since the foundation of the Footscray Technical School in 1916.

VU Archives

In 1992, the University Council established VU Archives to be responsible for the care and management of any records created by Victoria University or its predecessors that were deemed to be "of permanent corporate, cultural or historical significance". The Archives now hold a vast range of items dating back to 1915, shortly before the opening of the Footscray Technical School, including oral history tapes, correspondence, committee minutes, posters, photographs, academic dress, graduation records, sporting memorabilia and student newspapers.

VU Archives is located at the Footscray Park Campus. If you would like to know more you can email the University archives at records@vu.edu.au.

Into the future

In 2006, then Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Harman announced plans for the redevelopment of VU's largest campus, Footscray Park. Construction of a new Learning Commons and companion Exercise and Sport Science Precinct will be completed in 2011.

The $62.5 million project will create 1300 learning spaces, seven large-scale collaborative teaching areas, and an engaging mix of spaces offering contrasting interior landscapes. Plans include the complete refurbishment of the existing library and the development of next-generation facilities within an iconic new building that is being constructed on the north side of the Campus facing the Maribyrnong River.