History 1897 -1979
In 1887 Sir Henry Parkes laid the foundation stone to what was to be the “Hospital on the hill”. On August 29, 1889, the Governor, Lord Carrington opened the hospital; that was splendidly situated on the hill one mile and a half north east of the town.
By 1909 another hospital was opened in the township and the original property came to be used as the “Cootamundra Aboriginal Girls’ Training home”. In many cases young Aboriginal girls were removed from their homes and families and placed there until they were older teenagers.
It remained a “girls/welfare home” until 1975 when it was finally closed under the legislation of the Whitlam Government.
In 1979 the “Old hospital/Girls home” was taken over by the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship for training Aboriginal men and women for Christian leadership.
1979 – Today
After the take over by Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship (AEF) the place was converted to a Bible college for Aboriginal people from all parts of Australia.
Since then the college has trained many students from Aboriginal and non Aboriginal communities including those from overseas. Others who saw the importance of training students, offered their time to serve on the Bimbadeen staff as Principals, Deans, Cooks, Farm and Property managers.
Founded on faith and dependency on God, the college has experienced God’s provision of support on every level. These included student fees, the erection of new buildings and funds for its operations. However the college was not immune from its fair share of tribulations which even led to the extent of shutting down completely. Ironically, by the grace of God a renewed sense of direction to fulfill its original purpose averted the latter.
In view of the above, we acknowledge the following for their services and sacrifices made to the cause of training through the ministry of Bimbadeen from the past to the present. They include our brothers and sisters who served on the leadership through the boards and various committees, teaching and auxiliary staff, students and the many supporters.
Finally, we pay tribute to those who have gone home to be with the Lord.
