Balonne Shire Council Mayoral Ball raises funds for Country Universities Centre bursaries

A ball in a regional Queensland town is set to help regional students continue to call the town home through their studies. Find out how you can help.

The Balonne Shire Mayoral Ball is set to raise funds for students in the region.

For the third year running, the Balonne Shire Council is set to host its Mayoral Ball, with all proceeds to go to supporting students at the Country Universities Centre.

The CUC in the Balonne Shire was opened in 2021, and has provided a place for people to pursue further studies and vocational training, or to complete their coursework while on placement in the regions.

The inaugural Mayoral Ball was held in 2022, and since that time has annually raised money for CUC student bursaries, which helps students cover study costs including resources and travel.

This year, the ball will be held on August 3.

Balonne Shire mayor Samantha O’Toole said the CUC was effecting change in the region in more ways than one.

“The Balonne CUC has been a real game-changer for our shire, as it is not only creating an educational shift in our Shire, it is creating an entire cultural shift”, Ms O’Toole said.

“All across Australia, regional and rural communities have been struggling with the loss of their young minds, who leave the area for the big cities to pursue educational goals.

“Here in Balonne, we are turning that shift around and are having some great success in giving our youth an avenue to stay in the area close to their families, whilst achieving their educational goals.

“Our original goal was to have 38 students studying through the Balonne CUC over four years and we have just reached the milestone of 300 students since May of 2021 and have 103 students registered in this semester alone.

“I am so delighted that our Mayoral Balls are contributing to this initiative by supporting students with the other costs associated with their educational needs like travel and educational expenses.”

In the past two years, the Mayoral Ball has raised more than $96,000, which has gone straight to supporting students.

Sammi Christ is one of the students who has received a resource and a travel bursary thanks to funds raised by the Mayoral Ball.

Sammi Christ is a St George Country Universities Centre bursary recipient.

“Currently I’m in the thick of studying for my final exams and finishing of assignments, and the CUC has been a lifesaver in giving me a dedicated space to do my study, giving me a quiet space to focus and sit my exams with reliable internet,” Ms Christ said.

“The bursary opportunities provided through the CUC have been an awesome help for covering the costs of the many week trips to Armidale that my studies demand, and it takes the stress off taking a break from work to attend these intensive schools.”

Ashleigh Ferguson said the CUC has been an asset to her in her vocational studies, which she started while she was in year 11.

Ashleigh Ferguson is a St George Country Universities Centre bursary recipient.

“(My study) has included 750 hours of practical work which is needed to be completed by the end of year 12,” Ms Ferguson said.

“Along with a numerous amount of theory modules on different topics that I also need to complete before October this year.

“The CUC hub has supported me greatly by allowing me to come in any afternoons to complete my studies in a quiet space with no distractions I would have found at home.”

Laura Ballin said she is studying a graduate diploma in counselling part time, while she raises her three young children.

Laura Ballin is a St George Country Universities Centre bursary recipient.

“CUC Balonne has been a significant support for me in this time by providing me with an ideal study space and technology required to fully engage in my learning, as well as conduct my counselling sessions with clients online,” Ms Ballin said.

“The staff at CUC Balonne have always been readily available to assist with any of my enquiries and requests for help.”

Rylie Mullins has also received a resource bursary and a travel bursary during her studies.

Rylie Mullins is a St George Country Universities Centre bursary recipient.

“Country University Centre has been a tremendous asset since I started studying my Bachelor of Nursing,” Ms Mullins said.

“I am extremely thankful for the funds I received from Balonne Shire Education Resource Bursary and CUC giving rural and remote students this opportunity to apply for it.

“Without CUC and their extraordinary drive to help students like myself, going away for my placements would be near impossible.”

Tickets for the ball are available here.

Originally published as Balonne Shire Council Mayoral Ball raises funds for Country Universities Centre bursaries