Donna Ballard | CEO Taree Universities Campus

Donna Ballard

CEO, Taree Universities Campus

Associate Diploma in Accounting (TAFE) , Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Business Management (UNE)

I was born and raised in the MidCoast area. After leaving school, I worked in the first of what was to become a long list of MidCoast businesses. I loved all of these experiences, and enjoyed a brilliant array of roles. These included working at Taree Photographics (a ‘gap year’ that became quite extended as I met my husband and we began our family life), accounting for Godwin's Timber and Hardware and then for North Coast Kitchens, and as General Manager of Hot Tuna Surf Clothing Co. After a few years in Sydney we happily returned to the MidCoast and I commenced work with Edstein Creative Stone. I then managed a disability support organisation, About Inclusion, for a few years before working with Bayview Seafoods.

The community life is just as exciting here - I am involved as a volunteer in a number of community groups, the highlight being the annual Wingham Akoostik Music Festival.

TUC is essential for bringing higher learning opportunities closer to home. For too many years moving away from home has been the most common path to study; this is costly, and out of reach for many. It is also stressful for some to contemplate choosing between their family and the pursuit of higher education, whether as a school leaver moving away from home, or mature age students looking to change paths to benefit both themselves and their family.

TUC is here to remove those barriers, and the tough choices often required of those living in regional areas.

In the short term, success for TUC is having students enrol in courses of their choice, and then completing those studies on a timeline that works for them and with support from TUC. In the longer term, success will be seen in an improved ability for local employers to attract qualified staff to job vacancies - this brings economic benefit as business capability lifts. As a community, students choosing to stay and study locally will result in a more vibrant and active region for everyone's enjoyment. As CEO it is my responsibility to facilitate these connections and ensure all support is effectively and sustainably provided.

Dr Alison McIntosh | Chair, Taree Universities Campus

Dr Alison McIntosh

Chair, Taree Universities Campus

BUrbRegPlan (Hons) PhD (NE)

I made a tree change to the MidCoast with my husband in 1985 after a corporate career in Sydney. We operated our 100 hectare property in Killabakh for 30 years, during which time I was involved in a number of exciting community projects at an executive level. Since our move to Wingham in 2016, I have continued to be actively involved in a range of community organisations.

In 1995 I commenced my undergraduate degree as a mature aged student. By 2005, I had graduated with first class honours, a university medal and a doctorate, all through distance education with UNE. This was immediately followed by a career in academe until my retirement in 2019.

Throughout this time - thanks to distance education and advancements in technology over the years - I have been able to remain right at home on the MidCoast whilst both studying and in academic employment.

However, it was never easy, requiring a great deal of dedication, discipline and support. My experiences have provided me with an understanding of issues faced by students studying away from a university campus, whether they be school leavers or of a mature age.

TUC connects university access with community support. Being able to successfully complete a degree via distance education - supported by a community-owned, local campus that goes to great lengths to facilitate such success - will energise our area.

Individuals will have a greater opportunity to experience the rewards of academic achievement as well as the enhanced career and employment opportunities that follow. Our region will see local graduates applying their skills in the communities that have supported them throughout their journey - it will truly allow our aspiring students to go further, close to home.

My vision is for a greater number of MidCoast residents not only commencing, but completing their degree via distance education. At this time, only 18% of MidCoast students enrolled in university actually graduate. Only 16% of the area’s population has a Bachelor or higher degree (compared with 33% across New South Wales - 2016 Census).

We can - and will - go further than that. Not only will we see an increase in those numbers, we will do so whilst enabling students to remain close to their family, friends and community support networks. Moreover, by studying through TUC they’ll also have the chance to enjoy the campus camaraderie they might otherwise miss. In time, I am certain we will see greater numbers of students join TUC as well as an ever-expanding range of degrees offered by our university partners.

I am passionate about the success of TUC. We have a vision that is more in tune with the needs of our students, and more dedicated to their individual growth as well as that of our region. It is an ambitious project truly dedicated to connecting people to learning and opportunities close to home.

Graham Brown | Treasurer, Taree University Campus

Graham Brown

Treasurer, Taree Universities Campus

Bachelor of Financial Administration, UNE. Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand

Since making the MidCoast region our home in 1983, I have enjoyed being a part of a great number of business and community ventures:

  • Director of GPB Partners, Accountants & Business Advisors Partner Taree Mini Storage
  • Chairman & Treasurer of Bushland Health Group Ltd
  • Chairman & Treasurer of The Entertainment Centre of the Manning Valley Inc
  • Convenor of Tidy Up Taree and Civic Heart projects

Personally, my wife Ruth and our two sons have enjoyed everything this area has to offer.

This project is about opening up the opportunity of tertiary education to those whose circumstances don’t enable them to leave the area. At TUC, the idea of enabling individuals to pursue and achieve success is at the core of our vision.

Success means having more individuals within our community realise their full potential, putting their skills and passions to work locally, and thus enhancing the economic conditions for businesses and residents. Modern technology makes local study and work possible for those who once may have needed to choose a city lifestyle.

Success is also connecting local businesses with more staffing opportunities, allowing them to engage with graduating members of their own community who possess the skills they need to grow.

Lisa Proctor | Secretary, Taree Universities Campus

Lisa Proctor

Secretary, Taree Universities Campus

B.Env.Sc. (University of Newcastle), Grad. Dip Urban and Regional Planning (UNE)

I grew up on a farm outside the historic town of Wingham. I moved away after I left school and lived in major metropolitan areas before returning 13 years ago to raise my two children on a beautiful acreage property outside Taree. I run a thriving business here, I’m a member of Business Taree and I coach a junior netball team.

Quite simply, TUC will provide easy access to education that in turn has the ability to change lives. By being a part of TUC’s success, I can in a way be a part of the success of so many others, and that’s really something special.

I want to help shape positive futures - my hope is for us to enjoy many years of community support and partnerships to ensure long term sustainability. I see myself as a team member of a strong and committed board.

Steve Atkins | Board Member, Taree Universities Campus

Steve Atkins

Board Member, Taree Universities Campus

Bachelor of Nursing, MBA & Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, University of Newcastle

Born in Gloucester and having called Taree home for the past seven years, I have a very strong connection to the MidCoast region. As Co-Founder and Director of Healthe Care Australia (the third largest private hospital operator in Australia), I am honored to say we have a strong presence in the MidCoast, with our Mayo Private Hospital, Forster Private Hospital and Healthe Community Mayo Home Nursing Service providing medical facilities and support as well as a range of employment opportunities in the MidCoast region.

I am also extremely proud to be President of Taree Basketball Association. Being heavily involved in the community and overseeing a recreational place and space for people to unite is something I’m enormously passionate about.

Supporting our locals in the MidCoast region and enabling equal access to education for everyone in the community is something I feel very strongly about.

Enabling people to be part of a local campus, receive a university qualification, and even go on to get employment locally is what we are striving for. TUC can change people’s lives for the better.

To me, success will be seeing the camaraderie of TUC students, knowing that they are not alone during their academic pursuits and helping to shape positive futures for themselves and their families.