Image details: Back row left to right – Dr Gavin Hazel, Max Mclennan-Gillings, Noah Redman and Solest Montgomery. Front row left to right – Robbie McCullagh, Priyanka Sivapalan, Emily Hill, Jason Chan and Sean Barnes.

Working in close partnership with faculties, schools and community organisations the team strives to advance educational equity, deliver sustained community and school outreach across four strategic regions in NSW, applying targeted access, retention and success initiatives that help current Macquarie University students thrive.

On the road to Broken Hill: Deeping partnerships far west

In March, ten Macquarie University staff – including academics from engineering, education, criminology, environmental science and exercise science – travelled to Broken Hill, facilitating:

• interactive activities
• discussions
• community engagement events.

They were there to deliver the flagship education and careers pathway program, MQ Roads: Roads to Discovery, which is delivered in partnership with:

• local secondary schools and industry
• Regional Development Australia Far West
• TAFE NSW Broken Hill
• the Country Universities Centre Far West
• the NSW Department of Education’s Educational Pathways Program.

Designed to complement existing careers education in the region, MQ Roads responds to the needs of local student cohorts and supports current and emerging workforce priorities across the Far West. The academics covered sessions on exploring study options, pathways to higher education, and practical strategies for balancing study with work and life commitments, inspiring attendees to consider what their future may look like.

The Far West, and Broken Hill in particular, is a strategic focus for Macquarie University as teams continue to work alongside the community to expand educational opportunities and diversify delivery models. The School Hub partnership sits within this broader Far West strategy, alongside other community-based partnerships with a strong focus on education and health.