Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) in Western Australia has celebrated 41 graduating students.
GUC, part of the department’s Regional University Study Hubs program, currently supports 236 students that live in and around Geraldton in regional Western Australia and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This year’s graduating students studied across a range of areas including accounting, arts, education, medical sonography, nursing, paramedic science, psychological science, and social work. These graduates are in addition to the 49 students that graduated with the support of the hub in 2024. A total of over 600 students have graduated since GUC’s inception.
Bachelor of Education student, Shanae McGuire, explained how GUC allowed her to complete her degree while managing kids, work and a career change.
“I began my degree halfway through 2021 with a one-and-a-half-year-old, a change in jobs to become an Aboriginal Education Officer at one of our schools, and full-time workload studying to become a teacher,” Shanae said.
“Navigating the challenges of university study and its requirements, alongside being a partner, a parent, an employee, a daughter and a friend has been challenging, but it’s shown that I am a determined person.
“With the support network of family, friends, my cohort and the GUC staff surrounding me and supporting me, I was bound to accomplish anything. Without this level of support, I wouldn’t be standing here today with such achievements.”
Regional University Study Hubs support students living in regional and remote areas across Australia to access tertiary education without having to leave their community.
The hubs provide study facilities and administration, academic skills and wellbeing support for students who are studying at any Australian university or vocational education and training provider.
Geraldton Universities Centre is one of 46 hubs currently open and operating across the country, with a further 10 hubs set to open later in 2025.
The program has supported over 15,250 students since its establishment in 2018, with 44 per cent of recently registered students identifying as the first in their family to undertake tertiary education.
To find out if there is a study hub near you, visit: Regional University Study Hubs