That is the message from Independent Michelle Milthorpe, who says long-term efforts to get Connected University Centres for Finley and Deniliquin have been ignored for too long.
Funding to develop CUC’s in Deniliquin and Finley has been sought every year since 2022.
The last application from the CUC Southern Riverina Steering Committee was rejected in November last year.
The committee is made up of community members and organisations willing to partner with the CUC, and supported by the Edward River and Berrigan Shire councils.
Mrs Milthorpe is now calling on the Federal Government to back the long-standing bid.
“This is a project that is ready to go. The only thing missing is the funding,” Mrs Milthorpe said.
“Local businesses, community groups and individuals have put their hands in their pockets (for seed funding) and shown they believe in this project.
“The level of financial commitment now on the table demonstrates that this community is not only ready, it is invested.”
After being rejected in round one, a second application was submitted.
This time, Hay and Murray River Council split from the group.
Hay was successful, the others were not.
More recently, the committee sought support through the Sustainable Communities Fund, only to be told the current round is restricted to infrastructure projects, leaving a proven education model without a pathway to funding.
“This is where the system is failing regional communities,” Mrs Milthorpe said.
“We have a project that meets a clear need, backed by evidence, supported by the community, and ready to go, but no appropriate funding stream available.”
“In communities like these, university participation rates are lower, distances to campuses are greater, and access to reliable connectivity is still a challenge.
“Without local support, many young people simply don’t get the opportunity to pursue further study.”
Mrs Milthorpe said the long-term benefits of a CUC extend well beyond education.
“If we are serious about addressing workforce shortages in regional Australia, we need to grow our own,” she said.
“A local CUC supports students to stay connected to their community while studying, and that’s how you build a pipeline of nurses, teachers, early childhood educators, accountants and other professionals our regions desperately need.”
“This is not about asking for special treatment, it’s about fair access.
“Regional communities deserve the same opportunities as those in the cities.
“The community has done the work. Now it’s time for the government to meet them halfway.”
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