Maryborough's Highview College loses support of two of its founding churches

The Maryborough Uniting Church and Maryborough Church of Christ confirmed to Australian Community Media on Friday they would no longer be officially involved in the school.

Uniting Church in Australia Synod of Tasmania and Victoria Moderator Rev Denise Liersch said in a statement changes to college governance had affected the Maryborough congregation's relationship with the Highview board.

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"Subsequently, at a recent meeting, the Maryborough Uniting Church Congregation decided to withdraw its relational support of Highview College for the time being," she said.

"The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania believes this is a decision made in the best interests of the congregation at this point in time and we wish to acknowledge and honour the faithful work it has done in supporting the college over many years.

"The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania continues to be in dialogue with the college."

The Maryborough Church of Christ provided a statement that said it would 'sadly' withdraw from being officially involved in Highview College from December 31.

"As a church, we have valued our close association with the college since its inception in 1974.

"As a church, we have been thinking and praying much about the whole situation for at least a couple of years.

"As a church, we stand on the teachings of the Bible. Unfortunately, over the past number of years, Highview College has drifted away from the Christian base (according to the Bible), which it once had.

"The church and the college are now really on two different paths. As such, sadly we can no longer be closely associated with the college. But, as a church we will continue to pray for the well-being and the future of the college, and be supportive of the college whenever and however possible."

Highview College was the first ecumenical school in Australia, formed in 1974 with 126 students when the Methodist and Church of Christ churches joined the Anglicans and Roman Catholics on an interim board.

In 1997, Highview College became a foundation member of the Victorian Ecumenical System of Schools and now receives government funding through this group.

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