Two First Nations’ theological colleges close due to lack of funds

Just a week apart, two of Australia’s theological schools, the School Of Indigenous Studies based in Melbourne and Wontulp-Bi-Buya in Cairns, have been closed by their funding bodies.

In a statement titled “Budget Adjustment Advice” about the finances of the University of Divinity, Vice-Chancellor Professor James McLaren announced the closure of the School Of Indigenous Studies. “The model used to operate the School of Indigenous Studies is not financially sustainable in the current Higher Education environment, and in light of the pressures already being placed on the University’s general reserve.,’ McLaren wrote “Therefore, the Council has, as of 16 July, made the difficult decision to disestablish the School of Indigenous Studies, with immediate effect.
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Students at Wontulp-Bi-Buya received a letter from Bishop Keith Joseph who lead the Anglican diocese of north Queensland, dated July 9. “I am writing on behalf of the churches who are members of Wontulp-Bi-Buya College. I am very sorry, I have some hard news for you. Wontulp-Bi-Buya College has run out of money it is insolvent.” Joseph goes on to say that a liquidator has been appointed. The member churches of Wontulp-Bi-Buya were the Catholic, Anglican, Uniting and Lutheran churches Queensland divisions.

In response to the University of Divinity decision, the School of Indigenous Studies said “

“We are proud of what we have achieved for our people over these past two and a half years. In that time we have:

• Developed three tertiary units in Indigenous theologies and contributed to the development of a fourth, enabling over fifty students to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
• Written five books focussing on Aboriginal ways of reading Scripture and doing theology.
• Written ten book chapters focussing on Aboriginal history, decolonisation and theology.
• Contributed ten articles to peer-reviewed journals.
• Contributed twelve articles to newspapers, magazines or news websites.
• Raised the profile of the School through interviews about our work on ABC Radio National, the Drum, Q & A and multiple other media outlets, podcasters and newspapers.
• Given twenty-one keynote addresses at national and global academic conferences.
• Organised and hosted the first ever Australian academic conference focussing on Indigenous theologies which was a resounding success with tickets sold out (over two hundred people in person and over one hundred people online). This conference showcased Indigenous theologians, theologies and broke the stereotype of a homogenous view of Indigenous theology.
• Given countless talks and cultural educational seminars to church, community and professional groups.
• Facilitated the establishment of the National Indigenous Ecumenical Network, including securing funding for the next five years.
• Helped the University to develop more Indigenous-friendly policy settings.

“The staff of the School remain committed to the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academic research and theology.”

Over $1m had been raised to fund the school, which was founded two and a half years ago. However, the University of Divinity is financially troubled as a whole, and a budget review of the university’s School of Professional Practice was announced at the same time as the indigenous school closure.

Wontulp-Bi-Buya was a very different college, specialising in “Vocational Education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the areas of Theological training, addictions management and Social-Emotional Well-Being training.”

Bishop Joseph told the students that talks have started with other theological colleges “to see if they can take over the academic operations of WBBC so that you can complete your courses.”

As Vice-Chancellor McLaren wrote, the decision “carries additional gravity coming in the wake of the disappointing result of last year’s constitutional referendum”. This applies to the closure of both colleges.

Image: Vox, University of Divinity