Conference facilities
Education Centre and Conference Facility
East Grampians Health Service's vision is to be an education and training provider to support its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of the local Government area of Ararat and beyond.
Re-development of Pyrenees House into an Education Centre commenced in early 2011 and the facility was officially opened in October 2011 by the Victorian Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon David Davis who is a great supporter of the project. The redevelopment of Pyrenees House with its iconic tower ensures a very clear purpose for the beautiful and historic building.
The development of the Education Centre was based on evidence that the retention rate of students who live or have lived in rural areas and train in a rural environment are much more likely to work, live and reside in the area in the future.
The University of Ballarat full time Diploma of Nursing Course offers education and training for 20 people from the local community which is a step towards the development of a sustainable health workforce in Ararat and beyond.
The Education Centre is also a training centre for La Trobe University Dental students and a Conference facility for Ararat and surrounding areas and an education and training centre for East Grampians Health Service staff.
By investing in clinical education initiatives like Pyrenees House at Ararat we give the local community access to a University education and the pathway to great careers in health. The teaching and learning capacity of East Grampians Health Service is also further enhanced.
The Education Centre now includes two large conference rooms, two smaller meeting rooms, a computer training room, student resource area, video conferencing facilities and a modern Café.
Full catering by qualified chefs is available with a variety of menu styles.
For booking details and further information, please telephone 5352 9760.
Pyrenees House
Pyrenees House was built in 1886 as a general hospital. Designed in the elaborate Queen Anne style, the building has fine detailing inside and out. In 1901 the building was registered as a training school for nurses and in 1937 a new hospital was built. This is the two storey cream brick building on the left of Pyrenees House. Pyrenees House was then converted to a Nurses' Home.
The building became vacant in 1953 and was converted to a 27 bed geriatric ward. Since 1988, the building has been used for temporary administration offices and also as a conference, education and meeting facility.
