Macarthur Institute of Higher Education was an Australian tertiary education institution (College of Advanced Education) from 1974 to 1989. It was known as the Milperra College of Advanced Education until 1983. Milperra College of Advanced Education (1974-1983) It was established as the Milperra College of Advanced Education on 15 November 1974. It was a new campus rather than a pre-existing institution, assuming the former site of the Milperra Public School and adjacent market gardens. Construction commenced that year, with the first student intake beginning in second semester 1975; however, with administration occupying the former school building, classes operated out of demountables and other temporary facilities until the purpose-built Building 1 was completed in 1976. The college was formally opened by Premier of New South Wales Neville Wran on 20 March 1978, although it had already been open to students for more than three years. Initially focused on education courses, it soon expanded into liberal arts and social welfare due to changes in demand for places. The school of social work commenced operation in 1976 and the school of liberal and scientific studies in January 1978. The surrounding suburbs were rapidly developing and largely working-class with low retention in the Higher School Certificate, and even in its final years, more than half of its students were the first member of their family to study at tertiary level, and more than 60 percent from traditionally working-class suburbs of Sydney. It also had a large population of students from non-English-speaking backgrounds, and provided tertiary education that was geographically accessible, with the long commute to the centrally-located University of Sydney and University of New South Wales a deterrent for some students in the area. In 1982, it became the first institution in New South Wales to introduce a support program for indigenous students. The new Aboriginal Education Unit also provided a bridging course for indigenous students, but was assigned facilities at Milperra campus which were so dilapidated students reportedly nicknamed them "the Mission". Macarthur Institute of Higher Education (1983-1989) In 1981, the college faced a strong push from a "razor gang" set up by the Fraser federal government to amalgamate with either the Sydney College of Advanced Education or the Nepean College of Advanced Education. It opposed the merger proposal, and was supported in wanting to retain its independence by the state government and its education minister, Ron Mulock. An alternative proposal, whereby it