EduVenture
What is EduVenture?
EduVenture is about inspiring the young people of the Mid Coast with practical experiences of local workplaces while showcasing real stories of local professionals, equipping them with the belief and knowledge that can go further, close to home.
Purpose & Goals
EduVenture is a TUC initiative working alongside the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Newcastle (UoN) and the local community to:
Increase the visibility of the different journeys students take post-school and empower them to make educated choices.
Increase student self-belief and confidence to tackle decisions and challenges associated with school and transitioning out of school.
The program exists because the 2019 National Regional, Rural and Remote Tertiary Education Strategy identified that students from regional and remote communities face unique challenges — barriers that can limit aspiration and access to higher education. EduVenture responds to this by delivering locally tailored initiatives aimed at inspiring young people from regional and remote areas to pursue and follow their aspirations.
At its heart, the program is about showcasing real, local stories that inspire aspiration and demonstrate possibility — equipping young people with the belief and knowledge that yes, you can go further, close to home.
Status & Funding
EduVenture was originally funded by the sits within the Eastern Australian Regional University Centres Partnership (EARUCP), which in turn was part of the Regional Partnerships Project Pool Program (RPPPP), an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education.
EARUCP is co-led by UTS and CUC Central, in partnership with universities and Regional University Centres across Queensland, Victoria, ACT and New South Wales. EARUCP values meaningful, sustainable partnerships and reciprocal knowledge exchange between Regional University Centres, universities, and regional and remote communities.
While originally designed as a two-year project targeting a single cohort as they moved from Year 8 to Year 9 in 2023 and 2024, the program has been so well received that it has expanded to more age groups and continues to enjoy a thriving schedule of events across participating schools (now funded via other programs)
Delivery & Timeline
In-school sessions are the core delivery method. These involve:
Student Ambassador Storytelling: ANU, UoN and TUC Student Ambassadors share personal, hope-driven stories about their journeys of decision-making and navigating the transition to life after school.
Hands-On Activities: Students reflect on their own strengths and interests, applying themes to their own lives and future possibilities.
Frequency: Students participate in one session per term.
Community Voices: The program also welcomed local alumni, business owners and community leaders. Their presence and real-world stories have a profound effect — proving to students that success doesn't have to mean leaving home behind.
Key milestones of the EduVenture project:
2022: Community consultation takes place; TUC partners with ANU and UoN to lead a research project engaging high school students from as early as Year 8.
2023: The program launches with ANU, UoN and TUC Student Ambassadors working with Year 8 students across six Mid Coast high schools, delivering one session per term.
2025: EduVenture and the Human Library (originally a separate storytelling project funded under the NSW Government's Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018) officially come together under the EduVenture banner. The program is now a trusted name in local schools and homes, recognised as a community-led, place-based initiative.
Project Milestones:
Intended Audience
Primary Audience: High school students across the Mid Coast, originally beginning with Year 8 students and now expanded to additional age groups.
Secondary Audience: Parents and teachers — EduVenture is described as a multifaceted resource for students, parents and teachers alike.
Participating Schools:
Bulahdelah Central School
Chatham High School
Gloucester High School
Great Lakes College (7–10 Tuncurry Campus)
Taree High School
Wingham High School
Partners & Collaborators
Australian National University (ANU)
University of Newcastle (UoN)
Metrics for Success
Student Engagement: The program has been sufficiently well received to expand beyond its original cohort to additional age groups, with a thriving schedule of events across participating schools.
Community Recognition: EduVenture is now a trusted name in local schools and homes, recognised as a community-led, place-based initiative.
Aspiration and Preparedness: The program aims to measure its impact on increasing student self-belief, confidence and informed decision-making around post-school pathways.
Local Capacity Building: At a national level, the broader project focuses on building local capacity to ensure participating communities have the resources to keep supporting students to consider a university pathway going forward.
