Redlands Campus History
Ballon Outdoor Education Centre
Outdoor Education was on the agenda in 1990. In February 1991 the disused Ballon Forestry Station was purchased and serious planning began in order to have the centre established for operation in 1992. The first group of students left for Ballon early on 27 July 1992.
Essentially Ballon was organised for one class at a time which is housed in forestry type barracks. A dedicated team of staff members constructed a high ropes course and horses were also introduced into the program, albeit on a limited basis. The centre has enjoyed a very successful beginning and it continues to grow from those early successes.
Ballon is now conducting courses for a number of schools. Ballon provides students with a unique experience that allows them to grow personally and spiritually.
The opportunity of working with young people in this unique environment that God has created here for us all is a wonderful and rewarding experience that is ever present in the minds of all the Ballon staff. Many students also look back on their time at Ballon and regard it as 'one of the times of their lives'.
Concordia Lutheran College K-12
became a reality on 30 January 2007
Concordia Lutheran College K-12 became a reality on 30 January 2007 in Toowoomba with the amalgamation of Concordia Primary School, Martin Luther Primary School and Concordia College.
More than 1000 people attended the opening service in the historic Empire Theatre. The theme of growth and unity was present in Pastor Brenton Altmann's address which focused on the story of Basil the Branch who, with the help of the grapevine, produced luscious summer fruit. "A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine." John 15:4
The vision of a combined College is now a reality and we step forward in faith, confident of the blessings God will bestow.
Redlands Campus
Opening Day 17 February, 1946.
Classes began on 13 February, 1946.
The first mention of the need for a coeducational secondary College was heard in 1926 at the Queensland District Lutheran Convention. The nearest Lutheran College and training ground for Lutheran pastors was in Adelaide, 2 000 miles away. The Depression and the outbreak of World War Two further delayed plans.
However, despite the war, a College Board met in 1944 and after gathering 11 000 pounds in subscriptions, purchased the 'Redlands' building and its surrounding 25 acre property. We owe this new lease of life to the foresight and tenacity of Pastor Friedrich Noack. Continued ยป
Concordia Primary Campus
Concordia Primary's opening day in 1946
Concordia Primary dates back to 1946 to the beginnings of Concordia Memorial College, where a lower extension to their secondary program was offered. In 1961, the Redeemer parish took its first steps to establish a primary school independent from the College. The school was established on the present site in Warwick Street in 1964 with an enrolment of 64 pupils.
In 1973, the Redeemer and Good Shepherd congregations established Nalkari Kindergarten and Pre-school. For a number of years Nalkari operated as an independent centre under the direction of the Creche and Kindergarten Association. It now operates as Concordia Early Childhood Centre allowing the school to offer continuity of education from kindergarten through the primary years.
Over the years Concordia Primary established itself as a single stream school. The policy of the school council at the time was that it remain as such, thereby gaining the maximum benefits of size, tone and close personal relationship between teachers and students and teachers and parents.
Martin Luther Primary Campus
The school is set on 4.5 hectares of park-like surroundings with excellent outdoor and indoor facilities. Martin Luther Primary Campus offers coeducation for Kindy to Year 6. For their Middle and Secondary education students continue their enrolment at the Redlands Campus. The Lutheran congregations of Toowoomba established the school in 1977.
Newspaper clipping on the opening of Martin Luther Primary Campus in 1977: Download story (350KB Adobe PDF)
Martin Luther Primary Campus in 1977