MOREE Country Universities Centre welcomed 2025 with an open day at its Auburn Street headquarters on Tuesday.
The Moree hub, an affiliate of the Country Universities Centre network, is a dedicated learning and study space designed by regional people, for regional people.
The centre gives students the option to study online, and stay and work in their home town, rather than leave to study.
Moree CUC manager and education support officer, Shayne Miller said a notable point of difference when comparing Moree to other centres is the preference to education as a chief area of study and career choice.
“We have 19 of 62 registered students completing education degrees in Moree,” Ms Miller said.
“As of February, 2025, 12 are working at our local schools as student liaison officers and teachers, while another three students are working in the early childhood education sector.”
The open day allowed visitors to tour the facility, engage with other community members and discuss how the Moree centre can better serve current or future employees, and friends or family currently studying for a higher education.
CUC North West, with a centre also at Narrabri, was opened in Moree in July, 2019 as an affiliate of Country Universities Centre, with support from the NSW Government, Narrabri Shire Council and Moree Plains Shire Council.
The north-west branch also obtained federal funding to deepen operations and engagement under the Regional University Centres program.
Now in its sixth year, the Moree CUC North West hub has supported more than 500 students.
“We look forward to being part of the future of higher education for the North West region,” Ms Miller said.
The Moree hub is one of 22 centres in 35 communities across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
“We exist to increase access to higher education for students residing in the Moree Plains, and are owned, governed, and driven by an independent board of directors, some of which are Moree locals,” Ms Miller said.
“We provide free access to the Moree centre, with high-speed internet, modern technology, and general academic support available.”
This year, Moree CUC will focus on widening participation as well as encourage Year 11 and 12 students to register and study.
“This will equip them with the skills they need for university,” Ms Miller said.
“They will also benefit from the academic support we offer and we are looking forward to working more closely with local schools to highlight how we support students who choose to stay home and study.
“We are also implementing a first year uni program to support students in navigating their first year of university study online,” she said.
