Country Universities Centre receives welcome funding boost

Wee Waa’s Fiona McPherson Tuckey might be a busy mother to six children aged between 13 and 25, but thanks to Narrabri’s Country Universities Centre she is able to study a Bachelor of Social Work without leaving the region.

“If CUC wasn’t here then I wouldn’t be studying – it’s that simple,” said Mrs McPherson Tuckey.

“I just love coming here, I could go on forever about how good it is: it’s quiet, peaceful, lots of space, clean, the computers are fast, free tea and coffee.

“I tried studying when my youngest daughter was a baby, but I couldn’t even get Zoom to work well enough at home. The facilities here are much better.”

Mrs McPherson Tuckey is doing her degree remotely through Charles Sturt University. She started in 2020 and hopes to finish in 2025.

“I’m really loving the course.”

CUC North West provides dedicated learning and study spaces in Narrabri and Moree for regional people studying online.

Students have free access to high-speed internet, modern technology, and general academic support.

However, for Mrs McPherson Tuckey and her fellow students, CUC is also a place to meet, connect and socialise with like-minded people.

“It’s amazing, I’m a fairly shy person but everyone here is so friendly.”

On Tuesday, students and staff at Narrabri’s CUC North West site welcomed the official announcement of a funding boost to secure its future for four more years.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton met with members of the CUC North West community, announcing it was one of 16 Regional University Centres, covering 24 sites around Australia, that will receive a share of $27.9 million over four years.

“With a major skills shortage in the region, this provides a fantastic opportunity to up-skill locals, many of whom are working and raising families and would not otherwise be able to undertake tertiary education,” said Mr Coulton.

Mr Coulton said regional university centres offer students access to high-speed internet, dedicated study spaces, computer facilities and importantly, administrative, and academic skills, as well as supporting their wellbeing.

“All Australians, no matter where they live, deserve access to high-quality education and these centres offer the facilities and support local students need to access a tertiary education, which helps to level the playing field with their city counterparts,” Mr Coulton said.

Mr Coulton said people in regional Australia were “less than half as likely to complete a university degree compared with people in cities”.

It’s hoped centres like CUC North West will help country communities reverse this trend.

Mr Coulton said one of the biggest issues raised with him during the election campaign was the need to find ways to attract workers to country areas to fill job vacancies.

“I am very supportive of the Country Universities Centres because it helps local people get the skillset and the education, they need to take up some of those gaps.”

He also said that housing initiatives and programs were important when it came to enticing more workers to the region.

Minister for Regional Education, Bridget McKenzie said extending funding for a further four years would enable the Country Universities Centres in Narrabri and Moree to continue supporting students and the communities of the North West region until June 2026.

“I am delighted that over 300 students have studied at the centres since 2019,” Ms McKenzie said.

“We are extremely proud of the Regional University Centres program, which enables aspiring students from regional Australia to be supported while undertaking study by distance with any Australian tertiary provider.

“These centres make a real difference to our students, as they no longer have to leave their friends and families to pursue further education and can remain at home while studying, where their skills can boost local communities and economies.”

CUC North West chair Cathy Redding said the cash injection was great news for the region.

“We’re trying to grow this community, and education is one of the key elements to grow a community,” said Mrs Redding.

“Funding for another four years will give CUC North West the opportunity to be able to stand on its own two feet.

“We don’t want to have to rely on funding all the time. We want to get to a point where we can be self-sustaining.”

Manager of CUC North West Cathy Walters said the centre has supported 373 students since its opening in July 2019, with 57 per cent of students being over the age of 25, 82 per cent female and 48 per cent were the first in their family to study.

“For us, it’s so important to keep the service free, which is why the announcement is so welcome,” said Cathy Walters.

CUC North West has received both Commonwealth and state government funding.