Whitley College

Whitley College is a culturally diverse community of learners committed to practical expressions of God’s activity in the world. We wrestle together in spiritual formation through theological reflection, creative exploration and academic rigour.

Welcome

Whitley College is a culturally diverse community of learners committed to practical expressions of God’s activity in the world. We wrestle together in spiritual formation through theological reflection, creative exploration and academic rigour.

Shaped by the Bible, and drawing on our Baptist heritage, we are responsive to the contemporary needs of church and society, affirming liberty of conscience in conversation with other traditions of religion and spirituality.

Our educational ethos unifies heart, thought and hands, giving priority to personal and social transformation.

Reverend Professor René Erwich, Principal, Whitley College

History

Whitley College has been offering theological education in Victoria since 1891, originally as The Baptist College of Victoria, and since 1965 as Whitley College in Parkville. It was a founding member of the Melbourne College of Divinity in 1910, which in 2012 became Australia’s first specialist university: The University of Divinity (UD). Whitley College is an agency of the Baptist Union of Victoria.

Originally focused solely on the training of pastors for ordained ministry in what would later become the Baptist Union of Victoria, Whitley College now educates people from all walks of life, recognising the contribution of theological discourse to a wide range of endeavours. Formal courses of study are available from Diploma level through to postgraduate research at Doctoral level, enabling students to find a level and a pathway appropriate to their interests and pursuits. Whitley currently holds the distinction of having the most students enrolled at Diploma level in the UD, and is one of the leading colleges involved in postgraduate research awards. Alongside these formal academic programs, Whitley partners with Camp Wilkin in the delivery of education to their 12WATTS interns, runs programs for students from non-English speaking backgrounds (TransFormation), for school leavers (NEXT) and young adults (NEXT2). Our partnership with The WellSpring Centre brings a range of study options at post-graduate level in the areas of Spirituality and Spiritual Direction. In conjunction with Global Interaction, Rev Dr Ian Dicks serves as lecturer in Intercultural Studies while continuing work on a project in Malawi.

These developments seek to give concrete expression to Whitley’s stated purpose: Equipping leaders for a different world.

In 2018, the College embarked on a new era with the closure of the Residential College in December 2017, the appointment of Principal Reverend Professor René Erwich.

Whitley at St Paschal Campus

Whitley College is temporarily located at the University of Divinity at the St Paschal Estate in Box Hill. Situated on quiet residential streets, the extensive central buildings of the estate are surrounded by lush gardens and lawns. Whitley’s permanent residence, currently undergoing renovation, is located at 50 The Avenue in Parkville.

Whitley is located on the sovereign and unceded country of the Wurundjeri nation. We pay our respects to their elders, who have cared for this country since its creation, and commit ourselves to work towards a more just settlement for all Indigenous people.

Facilities available to students

• Student kitchen with coffee and tea making facilities
• Dining hall for eating, discussion, and study
• Zoom room available for quiet study, zoom meetings, or to record a research presentation
• Study pods 2x desk and chair with power, available in the beautiful cloister corridor, overlooking the cloister garden
• Chapel for personal use and scheduled community chapel time (12:30pm on Tuesdays during semester)
• Free and strong WiFi
• Free off-site parking

Whitley College Library

While works are underway at our Parkville campus, our Whitley community can access resources from our temporary library at St Paschal’s in Box Hill. We now have a wonderful space for students to explore, with an area at the back of the library for private study.

Our strong and comprehensive collection of books and journals supporting all the foundational and specialist areas of theological studies offered through Whitley College, have been moved from The Geoffrey Blackburn Library to our new location for 2022. Special strengths of the library include its collections in biblical studies, mission and the Australian context, as well as the Baptist Historical Collection.

Collection Strengths and Specialties

Syriac Studies, Baptist History, Biblical Studies, Mission in the Australian context.