The next chapter for Clunes
Transformative, and truly a highlight of all the Wesley Year 9 experiences, the time spent at Clunes is a milestone that many students remember long after they leave Wesley. This year, it's full steam ahead with construction commencing on the Clunes redevelopment.
An additional two student houses, a demonstration kitchen, four purpose-built learning studios and new storage facilities are due for completion early next year. This project, a key component of Clunes - The Next Chapter (Wesley’s strategic roadmap), will transform learning opportunities for Wesley’s Year 9 students and open a realm of new possibilities for future programs at Clunes. Initial site works and preparation has progressed strongly over recent months, albeit with some challenges experienced with significant below ground rock on site.
Architect's impression of the Clunes redevelopment
Forging a long-lasting connection
Along with the exciting redevelopment project for Clunes, Term 2 has also brought in a new Head of Wesley at Clunes— Dan Lukies. Dan has a connection with Clunes that extends beyond his prior experience as Head of Student Wellbeing, and now Head of Wesley at Clunes. Dan has family connections with the town that reach back well over 100 years.
Dan was 17 when he first connected with his great-grandfather Basil Ross and the township of Clunes. In his late teens he discovered a crucial family artefact: a scrapbook including copies of letters sent by Basil back to his family in Ballarat and Clunes where he described in detail his experiences as an ANZAC at the landing at Gallipoli, 25 April 1915.
Basil was born in Clunes and raised on a farm not far from where the Wesley campus stands today. He rushed to enlist in 1914 and his enlistment photo, in front of the painted backdrop of the Clunes Town Hall, is another treasured family relic of this time. The town hall remains an important community resource in Clunes and thousands of Wesley students have used this space as a place of learning and personal growth.
With the Clunes – The Next Chapter development beginning to take shape, we look forward to watching Wesley and the Clunes communities continue to grow, evolve, and adapt.
