Our People
At CUC Snowy Valleys, our team is proud to support local students from right here in Tumut and across the wider Snowy Valleys region. We’re passionate about creating a welcoming, supportive space where people can pursue their study goals close to home. Together, we’re helping build stronger futures for individuals and our community. Meet the team below.
Janette Wilson
Centre Manager
Janette has a long affiliation with Tumut. Previously being the owner of Tumut Family Medical Centre and working at The Tumut Hospital. Janette brings a unique and empowering perspective to the Centre - ready to assist others achieve their study goals while balancing work, study and life.
Email Janette
Virginia Deak
Virginia is an experienced university administration professional with extensive experience supporting higher education communities. She has built her career specialising in helping students navigate their way through admissions, enrolment, student finance, examination and university life. Recently relocating to the Snowy Valleys area, Virginia brings a passion for strengthening regional education and supporting students to thrive. Virginia is committed to service excellence, continuous improvement and strong stakeholder relationships, she is dedicated to creating positive, accessible and high quality learning experiences for students at CUC Snowy Valleys.
Meet the board
Mr Hugh Packard
Our Chairman
Having grown up in an academic family, living on campus at ANU in Canberra, an understanding of the value of tertiary education and the university experience was integral in my upbringing. With the rapid evolution of on-line learning, the increased connectivity capability of country areas and the escalating costs and disincentives of students moving to large centers for university study, the concept of Regional University Study hubs has really come of age. Having been aware of the need for some type of local tertiary study option for Tumut for almost 3 decades, I have been delighted to be able to be involved in the establishment, set up and now running of Tumut new CUC Snowy Valleys.
Ms Lorraine Wysman
Our Secretary
I am very excited about being a Board member during the inaugural period of establishment of CUC Tumut. Fellow Board members provide a diverse range of skills and as a team, I believe we can create a successful and inclusive environment for students to complete their studies. I believe that CUC Tumut will provide a service to the community. Students will be able to study, whilst enjoying their work and sporting experiences. Many families are not able to afford fees- CUC is the perfect answer. My professional career covers school teaching and then becoming an owner- operator of a real estate business. Both careers provide relevant skills that would contribute to the encouragement of staff and students to achieve their goals,. I understand it is vital that the organisation adheres to a budget and the long -term viability provides opportunities for years to come.
Mrs Jo-Ann Stroud
Director
Growing up on a remote sheep station and completing my primary schooling through the School of the Air, I learned early on that distance can limit resources and educational opportunities. This reality ignited my passion for ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have the chance to pursue higher education. Over my 30-year career as a secondary school teacher, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education in students' lives, inspiring their aspirations and opening doors to new possibilities. Now, as a careers adviser, I focus on guiding young people through their educational and career paths, helping them discover their interests and strengths. My role on the board of the Snowy Valleys Country University Centre aligns perfectly with my mission to foster access to learning resources and support systems that empower our community. Together, we can provide a vibrant educational service in the Snowy Valleys that champions diversity and promotes opportunities for all community members.
Mr Michael Blenkins
Director
Mr Eamonn Moore
Director
As a Principal in a K-12 school I have become increasingly aware of the shift to the virtual world for access to education beyond our rural town. My 2023 Churchill Fellowship (sponsored by the Blakeney Miillar Foundation) assisted me to learn even more about the need for our learners to have equity of access to courses and fields of study whilst remaining at home and contributing to our local community. The CUC provides just that. A place where students can feel connected and supported whilst experiencing high level internet access, privacy, and a place where they are able to study, learn and grow. I am proud to be a part of this best practice work in Tumut and the local area.