“You look back and the things that you appreciate are the opportunities you've had to assist people. And so if you get a university education, in whatever field it may be, that gives you the skills and knowledge that you're able to use in whatever your chosen field, to assist other people.”

Today we are joined by Maurie Stack, Chairman of Stacks Law Firm. Maurie has a Bachelor of Law and Master of Law from Sydney University and is on the board of Taree Universities Campus.

Let's dive in!

"Shannon soughts out all the work placement. I've been to Forster, i've been to Taree and i'm going to Taree hospital, anywhere you'd like to go Shannon's more than helpful to get you into somewhere local. And so it sort of has been a tremendous help financially, to be able to stay in the local area and also do the work placement as well."

Today we are joined by Fiona Wilks, a current student at TUC, who is enrolled at Charles Sturt, transitioning as a Registered Nurse into Aged Care. 

"After many years, I've finally accepted that life is about lifelong learning."

Today we have Darren Mumford, head of campus at Yulinbal, who studied the Diploma of Teaching at the University of South Australia. Let's dive in!

"With bachelor of construction management, you generally don't go through the entire degree without getting employed, it's a really good degree in that you gain employment pretty quick"

Today we are joined by Taree local Brad Caldon. Brad studied a Bachelor of Construction Management at Newcastle University and now runs residential building company Caldon Group.

"Working as a speech pathologist is fantastic, because there's a lot of flexibility and I get the time to be with my children on weekends and holidays."

"It's an amazing profession in that it's very, very supportive, very collegial, and not at all competitive, which has been fantastic."

Today we are joined by Sophie Nicholls, who is a speech pathologist in Taree. Sophie studied a Bachelor of Arts at Newcastle University, and honors and PhD at University of New England, and a Master's of Speech Pathology at Charles Sturt University.

This is a six degrees podcast.

"The main thing that really inspired me was hearing the kids stories and how when they had those shared conversations, it just brought them all together. And I think it when they're together, they felt stronger".

Today we have Hailey Trudgeon, who is studying a Bachelor of Community Health and a certificate in Narrative Therapy at Taree Universities campus.

'I found that studying externally helped my professional role and vice versa. Everything I did in my professional role in tourism and marketing also fit in, and informed my university degree. They just went hand in glove really.'

Today we have Val Schaefer, Community Development Officer with Mission Australia, who's been in the Taree community since 1997 to take up a job with council.

"I just felt it was time to put my brain back into work again, and so I chose a course"

Today we have Alison McIntosh, the chairperson of our board here at Taree University's campus. Alison has a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from UNE as well as a doctorate in Human Geography. Let's dive in!

"I've always worked with children in the pediatric health space. So you know, the the philosophy and the ethos behind what First Steps Count is trying to achieve really resonated with me."

Today we have Clare Brennan from First Steps Counts, who is their transition manager. Clare has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology from the University of Sydney. Let's dive in!

"Every time I find that I do study, some door opens, or there is some opportunity that presents as a direct result of it."

Today we have Bree Katsamangos, Program Manager of Mission Australia who grew up in Taree, and gained an Honours Degree in Social Science and a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact.