CUC Cape York Visit from ACSES

ACSES Director of Research and Policy Professor Ian Li and Director of Data Associate Professor Gemma Cadby

CUC Cape York Visit

We were invited to join senior leaders from Australian universities to attend the Country Universities Centre’s (CUC) Cape York Study Tour and visit the Cape York study hub located in Cooktown, Queensland. The goal of our visit was to learn more about the CUC’s community-led model, and their vision for the future of the Regional University Study Hub program.

To get there, we took three flights – Perth to Brisbane, Brisbane to Cairns, and Cairns to Cooktown – totalling eight flight hours. This included a flight on a small propeller plane (pictured). At Brisbane airport, our Cairns flight was delayed, and we explored possible other options to get to Cairns.  Driving from Brisbane to Cairns would have taken us 20 hours, plus another four hours’ drive to Cooktown. These moments highlighted the remoteness of Cape York and Cooktown.

Image 1: Photo of Plane

Image 2: Photo of Welcome to Cooktown Sign at Airport

Despite the delays, we made it to Cooktown in time for the CUC Cape York tour! Cooktown, named after Captain James Cook, was established in 1873. Named after the famous explorer, Captain Cook and his crew spent seven weeks there in 1770 repairing their ship, the HMS Endeavour, after it struck a reef off the coast. During this time, they interacted with the local Indigenous people, the Guugu Yimithirr, and botanist Joseph Banks recorded about 50 Guugu Yimithirr words, including ‘gangurru’ (which he recorded as ‘kangaru’, later becoming ‘kangaroo’).

The first thing we noticed about Cooktown is the heat and humidity, which felt similar to Southeast Asia. This is not surprising given its similar proximity to the equator as countries such as Malaysia. Our first stop was the Cape York study hub, strategically located on the main street next to the well-visited pharmacy. We were warmly welcomed by CUC staff: Chris Ronan (CEO), Jenni James (Centre Manager), Tiannie Otto (Indigenous Engagement Coordinator),  Kinne Ring (Director of Students) and Paul Cranch (Director of Strategic Partnerships). Established in 2023, the study hub is inviting and air-conditioned, which is welcome given the heat. After a short welcome from the CUC staff and Councillor Marilyn (Maz) Morris, Deputy Mayor of the Cook Shire and Advisory Board Chair of the Cape York study hub, we toured the facilities. It was great to speak with students registered at the study hub, who clearly appreciated the academic environment and peer engagement opportunities it provided. There were 86 students registered at the Cape York study hub, with one more signing up while we were there.

Image 3: Photo of inside CUC

Image 4: CUC open space desks

Our main venue for the next two days was the Cooktown Shire Hall where we enjoyed several informative presentations. Chris Ronan (CEO of the CUC) and Duncan Taylor (founder of the CUC) presented on the CUC’s future vision of the study hubs and the inception of the CUC model, respectively. Bethany Ross from the University of Technology Sydney and Kinne Ring from the CUC co-presented on their approach to student services, program objectives focusing on raising aspirations of young people in the regions, and community partnerships.  

Image 5: Founder of CUC, Duncan Taylor, Presenting

Other presentations were given by ACSES Equity Fellow Danielle Keenan, who presented on her fellowship work to-date on the Regional University Study Hubs, and in particular, factors that drive effectiveness and success in study hubs.

Image 6: ACSES Equity Fellow, Danielle Keenan, Presenting

Gemma also presented some data on the distances potential students across Australia need to travel to reach university main campuses, and the impact of Study Hubs on these distances. Two days of presentations concluded with CUC staff and visiting senior leaders sharing their vision for the future of Regional Higher Education in Australia, especially in the context of the Australian Universities Accord. We were also given the opportunity to ask questions and share reflections from the tour.

Image 7: Gemma Cadby Presenting Data on Distances of Students

During our time in Cape York, we visited Hope Vale, an Aboriginal community around 45kms north of Cooktown. We met Irene Hammett, an author of several books written in the local Indigenous language of the Guugu Yimithirr people. She treated us to a reading of one of her books, followed by a visit to the Art Centre. We also visited the Waalmbal Birri Heritage and Culture Centre, and Cooktown’s Reconciliation Rocks, named for its historical significance as the site of the first recorded act of reconciliation, occurring between the Guugu Yimithirr peoples and Captain Cook.

Image 8: Reading by Irene Hammett

After a busy, enjoyable, and informative few days, we flew back to Cairns. This time the weather was kinder, and we enjoyed amazing views of Cooktown from above. On our journey home, we reflected on the impact and importance of Study Hubs in remote areas like Cape York, bringing higher education to communities where it is much wanted, but too often too far to travel.

Image 9: View of Cooktown from Above

Thank you to ACSES Director of Research and Policy Professor Ian Li and Director of Data Associate Professor Gemma Cadby for sharing their insight into Cooktown QLD!