Remote southwest Queenslanders will be given the opportunity to study in their own towns thanks to new facility

A country university centre, an hour south of St George in southwest Queensland will give the remote community’s members a chance to study tertiary education.

CUC Balonne Dirranbandi opening in the Dirranbandi Rural Transaction Centre.

With the hopes of closing the tertiary education gap between regional and remote communities and larger cities, a Country Universities Centre (CUC) is currently being established in Dirranbandi, an hour south of St George.

Andrea Killen, local CUC Balonne Board Member said the venture was an exciting opportunity for the community to have great accessibility to further study options.

“A move away to study at university or to access VET opportunities is not an option for all students, especially our youth,” Ms Killen said.

“The CUC hub will provide a more supportive, and financially viable, option for students to study in community.

“Access to current technology and free high-speed internet will make engaging in online university study and VET courses accessible to all. This has been an obstacle in the past, with poor connectivity placing many at a disadvantage.”

Ms Killen invites the community to inspect the facility on July 20 in the Dirranbandi Rural Transaction Centre (RTC).

“The centre will provide flexible support and access for local students in semester two,” she said.

“We have really appreciated the wonderful support of the RTC to see this project realised, another great example of locals supporting locals.”

The event will kick off at 5.30pm on July 20 and the community are invited to see the space and discover more about how the CUC Balonne can support local students with their studies.

The CUC Balonne is supported by the Commonwealth government under the Regional University Centres Program alongside key local support, including the Balonne Shire Council.

Further information is available from CUC Manager Alix Greenhill on 0409 446 421 or email: [e-mail]

Originally published as Remote southwest Queenslanders will be given the opportunity to study in their own towns thanks to new facility