In November 2023 Norfolk Island commenced to examine the prospect of obtaining funding for a Regional University Study Hub on the Island. Three documents explain the concept and the steps needed to bring a hub into reality, plus one link to the government website:
Despite the title, these study hubs serve students of vocational and other tertiary courses, not just university candidates.
Dr Madeleine Lawler, Chief Executive Officer of Regional Development Australia (Mid-North Coast NSW) lodged an application on the Island’s behalf on 15 December 2023 and a revised submission on 15 October 2024. The federal Minister for Education announced the Cohort 5 successful applicants including Norfolk Island on 3 February 2025. Dr Lawler advised:
“This has set in motion a new organisation, the Country Universities Centre Norfolk Island, CUC Norfolk Island Ltd. This company is a non-profit company limited by guarantee, with a board of Norfolk Island residents who have stewarded the applications through to success and are helping establish the study centre. …All people on Norfolk Island looking to continue their studies in either the VET/Vocational system or the university system will be welcome to use the facilities and be supported by the Country Universities Centre team.”
Former Norfolk Island Central School Principal Sally Thompson has been appointed Centre Manager and opened the Centre for business on Wednesday 15 October 2025.
We thank Dr Lawler and RDA Operations Manager Dianne Ward for their intercession.
The CUC Study Hub is housed in the same building complex as the KLC and the two entities anticipate a strong and harmonious partnership, although under separate management.
