About EduVenture

Locally led. Community driven. Future focused.

EduVenture is a Taree Universities Campus (TUC) initiative that began as part of a larger, federally funded response to the 2019 National Regional, Rural and Remote Tertiary Education Strategy.

This national strategy identified that students from regional and remote communities face unique challenges — barriers that can limit aspiration and access to higher education. In response, Regional University Centres like TUC were supported to work with leading universities to deliver locally tailored initiatives that could change that trajectory.

How EduVenture Began:

In 2022, following community consultation, TUC partnered with the Australian National University (ANU) and University of Newcastle (UoN) to lead a research project aimed at engaging high school students earlier in their education journey — starting as early as Year 8.

Together, a team of ANU, UoN and TUC Student Ambassadors worked with Year 8 students from six Mid Coast high schools. Ambassadors shared personal, hope-driven stories about decision-making, aspiration and life after school. These sessions were paired with hands-on activities that encouraged students to reflect on their own strengths and future possibilities.

To deepen the impact, the program also welcomed local alumni, business owners, and community leaders. Their presence and real-world stories had a profound effect — proving to students that success doesn't have to mean leaving home behind.

Participating Schools:

  • Bulahdelah Central School

  • Chatham High School

  • Gloucester High School

  • Great Lakes College (Tuncurry Campus)

  • Taree High School

  • Wingham High School

How the Human Library Joined the Story:

Around the same time, TUC launched the Human Library — a storytelling project funded under the NSW Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018. Although originally a separate initiative, it quickly became clear that EduVenture and the Human Library shared something powerful: a commitment to showcasing real, local stories that inspire aspiration and demonstrate possibility.

Together, these projects spoke directly to TUC’s mission of widening participation, supporting personal growth, and building capacity within the Mid Coast community.

🚀 Where We Are Now

In 2025, EduVenture and the Human Library officially came together under the EduVenture banner — now a trusted name in local schools and homes, recognised as a community-led, place-based initiative.

With its roots in evidence-based research, and real-life storytelling, EduVenture is now a multifaceted resource for students, parents, and teachers alike. It’s here to inspire, inform, and equip young people with the belief and knowledge that yes — you can go further, close to home.