Avondale University has had a real buzz around campus in 2025. Enrolments are up and there is a renewed sense of optimism.
A key factor has been the strong backing of the South Pacific Division (SPD), which values Avondale’s vital role in educating, equipping and inspiring graduates who are committed to serving in the Church and their communities.
“We are grateful for the mentoring, guidance and encouragement the Division provides to build the morale of our staff and students,” said Avondale vice-chancellor Professor Malcolm Coulson. “It’s a genuine investment in the mission of our Church, and it inspires us to press forward with renewed energy.”
Alongside this encouragement, the Division has also committed substantial financial support—a $A50 million appropriation over five years, with the first $10 million allocated earlier this year. The funding is linked to Watagan Park, a master-planned residential community near Avondale’s Lake Macquarie campus in Cooranbong. Originally, Avondale was to receive funds once the final stage of property sales was complete, which could take up to two decades. Instead, the Division has effectively brought forward those profits, giving Avondale the benefit now rather than later. When factoring in the lost accumulated interest income for the Division, the future value of this appropriation equates to $132.5 million.
Professor Coulson said the funding has made a significant difference, giving the university stability and confidence as it moves forward. “It has enabled us to steady our operations and begin implementing our renewal plan, setting Avondale on a clear path toward long-term strength and sustainability.”
The appropriation was approved by the Division Executive Committee at the SPD year-end meetings in 2024. It means that the Division will bear the risk if the eventual Watagan Park returns are less than the $50 million committed to Avondale. Should the final returns be higher, the Division will be in a stronger position to support its other strategic priorities, of which Avondale is one, according to SPD CFO Francois Keet.
Mr Keet said the decision reflects both the challenges facing the higher education sector and the importance of Avondale to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“Like other universities, Avondale has felt the impact of declining enrolments following the pandemic,” he said. “Education and nursing—two of Avondale’s strongest disciplines—were particularly affected, as fewer students saw those professions as attractive career options coming out of COVID.
“Despite those challenges, Avondale is critical to the strength of our Church across the South Pacific. It produces pastors, teachers, nurses, accountants and other professionals who are grounded in the values and beliefs of the Church. Without Avondale, the stability of our whole system would be at risk.”
Mr Keet noted that the SPD had to draw down on its own working capital to fund the appropriation, which will reduce its ability to support other projects and will require many years to rebuild reserves.
“We carefully considered the long-term financial implications, but in the end, we concluded that the more urgent need is to act now to support Avondale,” he said. “Together with the university’s own initiatives, this will secure Avondale’s future for at least the next decade and gives it the opportunity for renewal.”
