ACPE HISTORY 1998-2008

The REDLANDS –ACPE BOARD chaired by Mr.John Lang and composed of experienced, business and educational members such as Mr. Robert Dunnet andMr.Peter Cornish (SCEGGS REDLANDS Headmaster) provided the appropriate presence, governance and policy settings for the college. The Board realised, that unlike the loss making public universities, ACPE was privately owned and that strict adherence to basic business principles was mandatory. Budgetary revenue and expense were both sacrosanct, and a profit was achieved.

The ACPE ACADEMIC BOARD, developed and chaired by Emeritus professor Michael Koder, understood the need for a Quality product. He provided the academic rigour to both the existing and new degree programmes, in shepherding them through the critical but onerous accreditation process. Without Professor Koder’s invaluable contribution, the heady success to follow would have been in serious question.

With these accredited degree programmes, the ACPE MARKETING Department led by Max Hector initially, but later by the professional Dieter Wilhelmi and talented Stuart Ayres, developed novel and creative marketing strategies that proved so remarkably successful.

They stressed the practical aspects of the ACPE degree curriculum, using the Olympic facilities surrounding the college. Students daily used the swimming pool, athletic track, hockey fields, tennis courts, archery lawns, football fields, basketball courts etc.etc.in the learning of their disciplines.

In addition, special guided tours of the college facilities and Olympic Park venues for the parents and students were staged to demonstrate this. The effective student interest to student enrolment rate, expanded from approx.. 1% to in excess of 80%, with large numbers of students enrolling at the completion of the guided tour. The work of these marketers was the foundation stone upon which later college success was built. Marketing- the jewel in the ACPE crown.

The college was now on its way through the success process of:- increased student enrolments, expanding revenues, more current and capital expenditure, bigger and better marketing (with word-of-mouth a feature), leading to new record enrolment numbers again.

In this period Dr.Tom Brown, Robin Smith and Jacqui Simmonds were dedicated and popular academic lecturers. The college Registrar and stalwart, Mrs Christine Hague provided the professional leadership and knowledge required of this senior administrative position.

Extremely conscientious, Christine performed her duties brilliantly – an ideal employee.

The change of ownership to ACPE Ltd., in 2003 formed by Dunnet Group and AEA Pty Ltd, saw Robert Dunnet and Peter Cornish bring their business acumen and educational experience to the daily operations of the college. Their new hands-on management approach resulted in increased understanding of daily issues, quicker decision making and access to financial resources, and a deeper relationship between the Board and senior management team. The college prospered.

The newly appointed Dean, Dr. Scott Dickson, saw the danger in flooding the jobs market in the Physical Education and Dance Education areas, and quickly fine-tuned existing programmes and developed new and innovative programmes of study in the Sports, Education, Business, Administration and Coaching areas.

Dr.Dickson’s academic prowess and knowledge and the CEO’s business and management experience were often severely tested when faced with academic issues such as lecturing hours, pay and working conditions. That sensible solutions were found and implemented to the good of the college was a testament to the esteem both men had for each other. This team was enriched with the appointment of the talented and highly experienced executive assistant Ms.Maureen Ross.

Procurement of FEE HELP the Commonwealth Government student funding scheme, was the second jewel in the ACPE crown, thanks to the foresight and prudence of Peter Cornish. FEE HELP provided the opportunity for many hundreds of students to gain an ACPE education and chosen career. In 2008, ACPE enrolments nudged 1,000 undergraduates!

These additional FEE HELP enrolments bolstered college finances, and with the wise use of Capital and Cash Flow (Management and Ross Guerney– Finance and Accounting Manager) were often able to instigate generous staff salary increases and improved student resource facilities.

Dr.David Baxter, and Angelee Boyd rendered outstanding academic assistance to the Dean, while Marilyn Wagstaff (Head Librarian) presided over continuous improvements to the library architectural design and resources. Kellie Vernon was a great link between students and management and instigated many student activities in and out of ACPE.

A guiding principle of the college’s operation, was that the biggest asset of the business was its people. It should be noted with gratitude and appreciation the contributions made by all those people who worked full-time and part-time for the college in those momentous years.

At the end of 2008, ACPE was considered successful by any measure of success: - Quality student programmes, student enrolments, student graduands, brand name in the industry, relationship with the Higher Education Authority, valued by both primary and secondary schools government and private who employed our graduates, the recipient of invaluable word-of-mouth student advertising, a happy and hard-working staff, a tertiary education authority with a sound financial and business model.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of ACPE over this decade was its innovative, constantly growing, prestigious and profitable reputation, built on sound management practice and basic business principles. Tertiary Education Institutions can be successful and prosperous.

Max Hector T.Cert( Sydney Teachers College), B.Comm.(Economics) (NSW), M.Ed. (Sydney), ASIA( Securities analysis).

Formerly CEO ACPE Ltd.

September 2020.