NSW Governor visits CUC Parkes

The Country Universities Centre (CUC) Parkes was excited to host Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales, and Mr Dennis Wilson, on Friday 19th February when they visited the newly opened Centre.

Three CUC Parkes students, Maigan Robertson, Talesha Dunn and Connor Robertson along with Centre Manager Jacob Cass and CUC Chair Tracie Robertson had the honour of hosting the Governor and highlighting their higher education journey thus far.

Her Excellency and Mr Wilson enjoyed engaging with the CUC Parkes’ students asking about their study, their next steps post study, and inquiring about their futures.

Connor Robertson, currently studying his Bachelor of Public Safety and Security with Charles Sturt University became the focus of this discussion explaining about his current application process to join the Royal Australia Air Force and how the CUC could have impacted his initial higher education study.

“The dining room table was my study space before I registered with the Centre and it was hard to focus. It was in a communal space in the home that didn’t allow for dedicated learning,” Mr Robertson said.

“Trying to move my study notes around breakfast and dinner was hard work and now I can come to the Centre, spread out, study in peace and when I leave the Centre I can just at be home.”

Mother and fulltime worker, Talesha Dunn, said that studying her Graduate Certificate in Applied Digital Marketing online through Charles Sturt University was exciting but also challenging.

“I enjoy the CUC Parkes as it is a quiet place to study, away from home stresses or priorities at work,” Ms Dunn said.

“I get a full day a week to come and use the Centre to watch my lectures, finish my assessments and just focus on study for eight solid hours.”

CUC Parkes Centre Manager, Jacob Cass, spoke to the strengths of the location of the CUC and its strong relationship with Parkes Shire Council, enabling further student benefits.

“The Centre includes eleven computer terminals and the sitting space for students to BOYD. Students have access to the Centre seven days a week from 7:00am to midnight,” Mr Cass said.

“In addition, students also can access smaller breakout rooms for private study in the Library facility and the Centre can book and utilise the Multi-Purpose Hall (Coventry room) and the newly built Makerspace for hosting workshops or larger student study groups.”

Mr Cass thanked Her Excellency and Mr Wilson for their interest in regional higher education and for taking the time to visit the CUC Parkes and meet with current students.

The CUC Parkes is open for any student studying a higher education course and any Australian University. If you’d like to find out more about how the CUC Parkes can help support you please visit: www.cucparkes.edu.au or contact Jacob Cass on 0409 119 0933.