Country University Centre helps make the Maranoa more liveable for students

Almost three years since its opening, the Maranoa Country University Centre is making waves and opening doors for ambitious locals. Read one of those students’ inspiring stories here.

From commerce, to carpentry and now to teaching, Campbell Crouchley’s story has crossed industries and countries, and his most recent chapter has been made possible by the Maranoa’s own Country University Centre.

Hailing from New Zealand with a history in commerce, Mr Crouchley moved to Roma in 2011 where he took up a job as a labourer. He soon moved to carpentry, but over time said he wasn’t sure he would be able to do it forever.

“I don’t wanna be flogging myself and working physically hard until I’m 70,” Mr Crouchley said.

Maranoa Country University Centre gives students who live in regional centres access to facilities to help them complete or progress their studies. Photo: Jacklyn O'Brien.

Mr Crouchley was considering changing tact once more to teaching, which he pursued when he was accepted into the Queensland government’s Trade to Teach program.

The Trade to Teach program is a supported pathway for people with a trade qualification to pursue a career in teaching by providing financial support throughout study, a paid internship and a permanent teaching position following graduation.

Mr Crouchley said while the program has been great, the Country University Centre has played a big role in his success with the program.

“Without the CUC I probably would have tried, and quite possibly would have failed,” Mr Crouchley said.

“Having the support staff there has been unreal.”

Maranoa Country University Centre gives students who live in regional centres access to facilities to help them complete or progress their studies. Photo: Jacklyn O'Brien.

Mr Crouchley also said it was a great place to be able to go sit at a desk without distractions and make the best use of his time.

Independent chair of the CUC Cameron O’Neil said the centre had been a great addition to Roma’s education portfolio, since its opening in 2021.

“We’re about providing the bricks and mortar – the four walls, and all the technology that falls underneath it – the study spaces, the environment, just a centre that is all about education,” Mr O’Neil said.

“It gives the look and the feel of what you would experience if you were actually on campus. It is an environment where you come together with others … that are undertaking the same challenges of undertaking higher education but doing it remotely. We bring that community together.”

The Maranoa CUC was the first in the country, and is also the top performing centre, with more than 500 students enrolled since its inception. This semester alone, the centre has more than 200 students enrolled.

The centre is free, and can be accessed by students who are studying remotely or on placement in the region. It is 100 per cent funded by the Commonwealth government and the founding sponsors, which include Santos, Origin, Powerlink, Maranoa Regional council.

“This type of investment illustrates to people who are looking to move to a centre like Roma that this is a bloody good place to live,” Mr O’Neil said.

Originally published as Country University Centre helps make the Maranoa more liveable for students