A Year of Growth, Community and Student Success at CUC Mount Isa

This year marked a period of meaningful consolidation and momentum for CUC Mount Isa as we strengthened the depth and quality of our support for local learners. With an expanded team—including a Student Services Coordinator and Learning Skills Advisor—we were able to provide more hands-on, personalised assistance, clearer study pathways, and a richer learning environment for students balancing work, family and education.

Our focus on community and wellbeing continued to grow, with social events, graduations and outreach activities helping students feel connected and supported. Over 180 new students joined the Centre, and we celebrated the remarkable achievements of 42 graduates who completed qualifications while juggling shift work, parenting and returning to study after long breaks. Their dedication remains at the heart of why we do what we do.

Partnerships also played a vital role this year.

• Skills Generation (RTO) delivered face-to-face community services training to more than 30 local students through the DESBT Rural and Remote Pilot Program, with wrap-around support provided at the Centre.

• QUT’s EQUIPT Program continued building a stronger local teacher pipeline, and we are preparing for JCU Prep to be delivered locally in 2026, reducing yet another barrier to regional university access.

• Mount Isa Mines, through its Community Grant, supported vital upgrades to our study spaces—including new technology and culturally significant artwork by Kalkatunga artist Barbara Sam.

• The Spinifex Senior Students Art Gallery, proudly supported by APA, brought the community together and enriched our Centre with artworks celebrating lifelong learning.

Across the year we hosted student-centred events, attended or organised more than 20 community activities, supported dozens of learners through one-on-one skill-building sessions, and continued spreading awareness of accessible higher education across Mount Isa.

Most importantly, our students showed up—again and again—with resilience, ambition and pride. As Aaron Knight, QUT teaching student, shared:

“CUC has been invaluable throughout my practicum, providing a dedicated space where I can focus on preparing lesson plans without distraction. In addition to essential resources such as printing facilities and (most importantly) coffee, the CUC has played a crucial role during my placement in Mount Isa.”

We invite you to explore more highlights, stories and achievements from this transformative year.

Read the full 2025 Annual Report here: Our Story