CUC Bass Coast welcomes MP Mary Aldred amid record number of registrations

Country Universities Centre (CUC) Bass Coast was proud to welcome newly elected Member for Monash Mary Aldred MP to the Centre this week.

Opening in March 2021 and funded through the Australian Government Department of Education’s Regional University Study Hub (RUSH) Program, CUC Bass Coast works closely with schools, Universities and TAFE, local learning and employment networks, and local government and industries, to connect our community to further education pathways.

To date, the Centre has supported over 520 students on their higher education journeys, connecting them with resources, community, and tailored academic support.

MP Mary Aldred toured the space and met with Board Directors and students, commending the Centre for its innovative role in expanding educational opportunities for local students.

“Country Universities Centre Bass Coast is a wonderful example of a community led, dedicated learning hub, supporting people to undertake higher education right here in the region,” she said.

“In Gippsland, 40% of our communities are towns with fewer than 1,000 people. That makes access to higher education a real challenge, which is exactly why having the Centre here is so important.”

“Hearing just how far spread the community of students is here, it shows the incredible reach of the Centre. It’s drawing people from right across our region.”

“I passionately believe that your postcode should never determine your access to education. CUC Bass Coast is breaking down those barriers for Gippsland. It’s really inspiring.”

“It’s a credit to its Board and management as it adapts to support the growing needs of our regional students,” she said.

Students echoed the sentiment, sharing how the Centre offers more than just quiet study spaces and dual-screen computers, providing a safe space of connection and support in the often-isolating world of remote learning.

Local PhD student Mary-Clare said “CUC is like a circuit breaker. The tertiary system can be really challenging to get your head around. Here, we have a hub where people start to talk about education, where they may not have before.”

“Being around other like-minded people inspires you to grow in new and different ways. That’s the real beauty of a place like CUC; it brings people together, encouraging one another to further themselves through higher education. That sense of community is really something special,” she said.

CUC Bass Coast is one of three affiliated Regional University Study Hubs in Victoria—the others being in Wangaratta and Swan Hill—and part of a network of 56 hubs that support over 15,000 regional and remote students across the country.

CUC Bass Coast Board Chair Martin Keogh reaffirmed: “We’ve always believed in creating a space where regional students feel supported, connected, and empowered to succeed without leaving their communities. It means a great deal to us all to know that our care and commitment is making a meaningful difference in their lives.”

“Tertiary Education is something that escapes many people due to location and circumstance. The Centre provides a viable pathway for our students to study local, work local and stay local. What we’re seeing, with the increased number of students, is that it’s becoming more appealing to many secondary school graduates,” said Sarah Bourke, CUC Bass Coast Centre Manager.

“We have an incredible team that provides academic support in building essential study skills to help guide students through assignments, time management, referencing, exam preparation, and research strategies. These sessions help students remain engaged and develop the core skills needed for successful independent learning at university,” she said.

CUC is a dedicated local learning hub that collaborates with schools, tertiary partners, and other educational organisations to expand opportunities for students throughout the region. Students have access to the Centre seven days a week, providing high speed technology, academic mentoring and a network of like-minded students to create a community learning environment.

For more information, please give the team a call on 0472 741 451 or visit www.cucbasscoast.edu.au