International Women's Day Breakfast - Chinchilla 2026
Chinchilla RSL - March 6th, 2026
What a fantastic morning! We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and the opportunity to connect with so many fabulous women—along with a few wonderfully supportive men who bravely stepped into a room full of women and embraced the energy!
We were especially delighted to connect with the local student leadership teams from Tara Shire State College, Chinchilla State High School, and Chinchilla Christian College. These young leaders are the future influencers and changemakers in our communities, and it was inspiring to see their enthusiasm and engagement.
After the event the leadership students from Chinchilla Christian College and Tara Shire State College visited the CUC Western Downs. We were excited to provide them with a guided tour of the facilities and talk about the support the Centre can offer—both while they are still at school and as they take their next steps into higher education. It was wonderful to see their interest in the opportunities available to them and to show how we can help make their future study goals more accessible and supported.
A heartfelt thank you to our guest speaker, Julie Spicer OMA, who not only highlighted the vital role women play in our community but also had us up and moving with some unexpected (and entertaining!) team‑building activities. Her message about managing our workloads and the importance of strong support networks truly resonated with us all.
A big thank you as well to Chinchilla Community Commerce and Industry for organising and hosting such a meaningful and energising event for International Women’s Day. Your efforts help bring our community together in such powerful ways. Events like today remind us of the strength we find in each other, the value of connection, and the power of lifting one another up. 💜
Here’s to celebrating women, empowering future leaders, and supporting each other—today and every day! 💜
YES - Young Entrepreneur Summit
Chinchilla - March 4th, 2026
CUC Western Downs is proud to support the YES! 2026 Young Entrepreneur Summit in Chinchilla!
The event will be held at the Chinchilla Cultural Centre - 8:45am - 2:00pm
We’ll be joining this inspiring event as a sponsor and hosting an information stall in the YES Marketplace — and we’d love for you to come say hello.
YES! is all about helping young people spark ideas, grow confidence, and explore their potential, bringing together Western Downs students in Years 9–12 for a high‑energy day of workshops, speakers, and hands‑on learning opportunities.
As your local regional university centre, we’re here to help you dream big, study locally, and build the future you want. Whether you’re thinking about university, exploring career pathways, or just starting to imagine what’s possible, come chat with us! Our team will be on hand all day to share how we can support you through your study journey — from academic support to quiet study spaces, technology access, and a community that believes in you.
Come visit the CUC Western Downs stall and discover how we can help you turn your passions into real possibilities.
We can’t wait to meet the future changemakers of the Western Downs!
Tickets
OPEN DAY
We had a fantastic time welcoming the community to our CUC Western Downs Open Day! 🎉
It was wonderful to see so many Western Downs locals visit the Centre, meet our team, and learn more about how we support regional students to access higher education. A highlight of the day was welcoming five new students who registered to use our free, dedicated study and learning space—we can’t wait to support you on your study journey!
Visitors enjoyed getting an inside look at our campus‑style facility, experiencing the welcoming atmosphere, high‑tech study spaces, and the supportive environment we provide for local university students. Many took the opportunity to explore the Centre firsthand, chat with our team, and see how CUC Western Downs brings higher education to life right here in the region. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone who stopped by made the day truly special.
Congratulations to our new student, Charlotte Cross, winner of the Lucky Door Prize!
CUC Western Downs STEMM Strolls
Country Universities Centre Western Downs is partnering with Women in STEMM Australia to bring you STEMM Strolls.
Join us at the Chinchilla Botanical Parklands on Monday 3rd November at 7:00am until 9:00am for STEMM Strolls!
We’re excited to bring STEMM Strolls to Chinchilla – a local walk-and-talk style event connecting STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) students and professionals in regional areas. Hosted by Country Universities Centre Western Downs, this event is about building networks, finding mentors, and sharing diverse experiences in a welcoming space for women in STEMM.
We want women working in STEMM professions in Chinchilla and the wider Western Downs region to register and meet, connect and network with other women working in STEMM fields. These opportunities are often hard to come by in regional and rural locations, and the connections made are invaluable.
For students, whether they are studying at university or still in high school, this is an opportunity to talk one-on-one to a diverse group of women about what it’s like to work in their fields, gaining insights into the rewards and challenges they face. These personal connections and mentorship could lead to exciting future careers in STEMM fields.
Come and join us for a leisurely stroll through the Chinchilla Botanical Parklands followed by great coffee and breakfast, proudly sponsored by Chinchilla Community Commerce & Industry Inc. (CCCI) – with delicious coffee provided by the wonderful Bumble Bean Coffee Van!
Everyone is welcome, including men who support women in STEMM. All support is valued, so lets work together to strengthen our community and take real steps toward gender equality in STEMM – right here in the Western Downs.
Register Now!
To Register Scan the QR Code or click on the link below.
STEMM Strolls Registration
STEMM Stroll Survey
Thank you to all the wonderful STEMM people who attended our STEMM Stroll event. We would appreciate it if you could scan the QR code and fill out our survey which will provide feedback, helping to inform future events like this.