New school campus to open in central Dandenong

Hester Hornbrook Academy will open a new campus in the heart of the Revitalising Central Dandenong precinct, complementing existing education offerings in the region.

The independent special assistance school was successfully selected to develop the site following a targeted Expression of Interest campaign in 2024 seeking organisations with expertise in education and community services.

Located at 7-9 Forster Street, the campus will be a secondary school for students aged 15 to 24, offering flexible learning pathways alongside integrated wellbeing support.

Executive General Manager Precincts, Niall Cunningham, said the site’s proximity to Dandenong Station, public transport, parks and other community facilities makes it a perfect location for students and offers strong integration with the surrounding community.

Niall Cunningham
Executive General Manager, Precincts

This will be Hester Hornbrook Academy’s sixth campus, joining sites in Sunshine, Werribee, South Melbourne, Melbourne’s CBD and Geelong.

Hester Hornbrook Academy's Executive Principal Sally Lasslett said the school operates with a philosophy of ‘wellbeing for learning and learning for wellbeing’ to foster meaningful engagement in education.

Sally Lasslett
Executive Principal, Hester Hornbrook Academy

RACV has provided ongoing support to Hester Hornbrook Academy to help students access education, vocational training, and employment pathways, including a significant investment towards their new Dandenong campus.

The Revitalising Central Dandenong (RCD) initiative is supported by a $290 million commitment from the Victorian Government to transform central Dandenong into a vibrant and thriving economic hub.

Around $700 million has been invested to date to rejuvenate and re-establish Dandenong’s city centre as the capital of Melbourne’s growing south-east region.

Once complete, it is expected to attract more than $1 billion in private sector investment, create 5,000 jobs and enhance Dandenong’s appeal as a place to live, work and visit.

For more information, visit the Revitalising Central Dandenong project page.