Gene Technology Access Centre
1995 - 1999: Genesis
In 1995, Professor Suzanne Cory and her colleagues at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute ran a pilot DNA science course at the Institute for Year 12 University High School biology students, inspired by a visit the previous year to the Dolan DNA Learning Centre of the Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, New York. Encouraged by the enthusiastic response of the students, Professor Cory teamed up with Professor Jim Pittard from the Microbiology and Immunology Department of the University of Melbourne. In 1996 they initiated a week-long DNA Science Summer Workshop for secondary school teachers to update their knowledge of DNA science. During this period, two of the microbiologists leading the DNA Science course, Professor Dick Strugnell and Dr Judyta Praeskier, conducted a pilot laboratory course in selected schools to introduce senior students to DNA manipulation techniques.
2000 - 2003: Merging scientific and educational expertise
During 2000, the then principal of The University High School, Bronwyn Valente, together with the Head of the VCE Sub-School and senior biology teacher Brian Stevenson, held discussions with Professor Suzanne Cory. These discussions resulted in a joint application, under the Science in Schools Partnership (SIS), to establish programs, at the University High School, for visiting Victorian secondary students and teachers in DNA Science and biotechnology. 
The application was successful and the first student program was held in October 2000 using the school’s biology laboratory classroom. For the next three years Brian Stevenson developed and progressively implemented a range of programs for students and teachers, assisted by the school’s laboratory manager Dagmar Tesic and a small group of PhD students. The distinctive GTAC logo first appeared in late 2000.
In the State Budget (May 2001) the Victorian government announced funding, from the “Growing Victoria Infrastructure Reserve”, to construct three specialist science education centres. The University High School was identified as a host school for the construction of a specialist science education centre based upon its role in GTAC. The Principal sought and gained approval of the School Council for the construction of a facility that would have a high degree of operational autonomy and be governed by a Board of Management made up of representatives of all the foundation stakeholders. Brian Stevenson was appointed as the Centre’s Foundation Director.
2004 - 2008: A centre model established
The Centre opened in April 2004 and by 2006 had a small but highly committed staff team to develop and implement a raft of programs, in collaboration with research scientists, on aspects of contemporary bioscience. Over 27,000 school students from across Victoria and beyond, have now participated in GTAC programs since the Centre opened. In addition several thousand teachers have participated in professional learning programs. The GTAC model has attracted much interest from interstate and overseas institutions and educational authorities. Professor Brian Caldwell, Professorial Fellow at The University of Melbourne and previously Dean of the Education Faculty, has described GTAC as “being the most successful initiative of its kind in Australia”. Much of this success is due to the strength, commitment and collective vision of the partner representatives. The alignment of intellectual, social, operational and financial capital resources have resulted in a governance structure that ensures GTAC continues to evolve, develops new alignments and pushes the boundaries of current school practice.