Kim Edwards

Centre Manager

Kim is a passionate educator and an award-winning business woman. She began her career working in community development and aid programs in the Middle East and Asia. Today, she continues to champion the cause for positive social change through education and training.

With more than 40 years experience working internationally and throughout Australia, Kim has received multiple awards including the Queensland Premier’s Award for Education, the Medal of Excellence from the Australian Institute of Management, Sunshine Coast Business Woman of the Year and the Regional Business Person of the Year.

Kim's previous roles include Manager of CUC Mudgee, Skills Advisor for the Australian Pacific Training Coalition in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, and the pioneering Dean for one of the first women’s vocational training colleges, Colleges of Excellence, in Saudi Arabia.

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Melissa Westcott

Chair

Melissa Westcott is the Chair of CUC Isaac, bringing a wealth of experience in community leadership, governance, and regional development to the role. With over 20 years of living and working in the Isaac region, Melissa has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by regional communities.

As a passionate advocate for accessible education, Melissa plays a critical role in leading CUC Isaac’s mission to increase access to higher education for residents across Moranbah, Clermont, and surrounding areas. Under her leadership, CUC Isaac is focused on creating pathways for local students, working closely with industry partners and educational institutions to deliver flexible, tailored educational opportunities that meet the needs of the community.

In addition to her role at CUC Isaac, Melissa is a highly respected leader in the region. She is an elected Councillor for Division 3 on the Isaac Regional Council, where she advocates for economic development, affordable housing, and community wellbeing. Melissa is also Chair of the Isaac Affordable Housing Trust and has served on various boards, including C-Res and the Local Buying Foundation.
Melissa’s extensive background in governance, strategic planning, and business, combined with her passion for community-driven solutions, ensures that CUC Isaac continues to thrive and serve as a vital educational resource in the region. Through her work, Melissa remains committed to empowering individuals in regional communities, helping them access education and opportunities that will benefit them, their families, and the broader Isaac region.

Duncan Taylor

Director

Duncan Taylor is the founder, director and former CEO of the Country Universities Centre Central Organisation. He was the initial Chair of the first CUC Centre established, and now sits on several CUC Centre Boards across NSW and Queensland.

Duncan has been a member of the TAFE NSW Board and has sat on a university regional engagement committee and a committee advising the NSW Government on regional educational strategy. He is a former state President of ICPA, and founding director of agricultural assets management company, Growth Farms Australia. Duncan brings the collective experience and expertise of the CUC network to CUC Isaac having been closely involved in the establishment and operations of the expanding CUC network of centres.

As a farmer and former lawyer, Duncan also brings his legal background, corporate experience, and knowledge of the future directions and challenges of the agricultural sector to the Board. In 2019 he was awarded Volunteer of the Year for South Coast and Southern Inland NSW for his work with the CUC.

Angela Petersen

Director

Angela Peterson is a passionate community leader, dedicated educator, and active volunteer based in Moranbah, Queensland. With over 25 years of experience teaching with Education Queensland, Angela has consistently demonstrated her commitment to shaping young minds and building strong community connections. She plays a central role in a range of local initiatives, particularly across education, junior sports, and the arts.

Angela is an avid supporter of initiatives in the Moranbah community, as shown by her involvement with organisations such as the local P&C’s, Moranbah Bulldogs AFC and Moranbah Arts. She known for leading Book Week celebrations at Moranbah State School, championing literacy and instilling a love of reading among students. Her efforts extend to community growth and development through her work with the Moranbah STAC, where she has been a member since 2024 and now as she serves as a board member of the Country University Centre, Angela’s focus remains on celebrating and promoting the unique advantages of life in a regional town. Her aim is to help grow Moranbah by enhancing opportunities, nurturing local pride, and fostering the vibrant community spirit that defines the region.

Annelli Day

Director

Anneli is a dedicated educator, rural advocate and cattle producer, best known for her dedication to enhancing educational opportunities for children in remote areas. She credits being born and raised on a remote cattle property in South West Queensland, with sparking her lifelong passion for rural education and community service.

As Director of Day Cattle Company, alongside her husband Iain and their three children , she runs a successful cattle operation in the Isaac Shire, embodying a lifestyle that integrates education, agriculture, and community service Leveraging her deep connection to the land and understanding of rural challenges, Anneli has become a vocal advocate for regional education and community support, serving as a State Councillor for the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) of Queensland .

Her work focuses on ensuring children and famalies in rural areas receive equitable access to schooling and resources, bridging the urban–rural divide. Through speaking engagements, public advocacy, and pastoral leadership, Anneli continues to shine a spotlight on the importance of empowering rural communities and supporting their youth.

Lynise Conaghan

Director

Lynise Conaghan is a passionate advocate for rural and remote education. A trained primary school teacher, she spent many years teaching at Clarke Creek State School, where she gained firsthand insight into the unique challenges faced by isolated communities.

Alongside her husband Phil, Lynise co-owns and operates Barmount Feedlot—an intergenerational, family-run enterprise that was named the 2023–2024 Australian Feedlot of the Year in the 8,000–10,000 head category. Their three adult children—Andrew, Regan, and Tess—are all actively involved in the business, contributing to its continued success.

Lynise has held numerous leadership positions within the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) at both state and federal levels. Her contributions have spanned key portfolios including Rural Schools, Specific Education Needs, Boarding Schools, Communications, and Travel. She has also served as State Publicity Officer for ICPA Queensland.

In 2017, Lynise was named Citizen of the Year by the Isaac Regional Council, and in 2014, she was honoured as one of Westpac and the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence.

Carolyn Franzmann

Director

Carolyn has lived in Clermont for more than three decades. She first arrived in Clermont in 1990 as a fresh-faced primary school teacher and immediately fell in love with the town. Carolyn has always been an active member of the community being involved with rugby league (junior and senior Clermont Bears), cricket (junior and senior Clermont Bulls), Clermont Musicmakers, and the Clermont Sporting Association.

Currently, she sits on the boards of Clermont Connect and the Country University Centre. She is the current president of the CCBG (Clermont Community Business Group), a member of CCHAOS Inc (Clermont Community Housing and Other Services), the CEC (Workcamp committee). In 2023, Carolyn was awarded Life Membership of the Clermont Senior Rugby League Club.

Sharon Anderson

Director

Sharon Anderson has long advocated for equitable access to educational and career opportunities for rural and remote students. As a teacher, deputy principal and principal and long-time resident of the Isaac region, she was committed to providing quality educational opportunities and career development to young people. She established a learning centre to support students who chose distance, virtual and online learning options through other secondary, tertiary and vocational training organisations. She was dedicated to overcoming the isolation of a rural setting by exposing students to the range of potential career pathways available to them, establishing industry partnerships, intensive career camps and school-based career fairs.

As principal of a rural school, she recognized the critical role these schools play in training beginning teachers and developing future leaders and was proud that the intensive staff development programs she designed and implemented supported the growth of many brilliant teachers and leaders. She chaired the Central Highlands Rural and Remote Education Access program for several years, providing improved opportunities for rural children. As a long-term resident and active member and volunteer in the Middlemount community, she was and continues to be a voice for equitable access to resources and opportunities for people all across the Isaac region.