Our People
The strength of CUC RAPAD Central West Queensland lies in our people. Our staff live and work in the region and understand the realities of studying, working, and raising families in rural and remote communities.
They are here to support students, answer questions, and help make tertiary study achievable close to home.
CUC RAPAD Central West Queensland
Joy McClymont
Learning Support Advisor
Based in:
Joy is a primary and secondary school teacher who thrives on motivating students to embrace learning and tackle new challenges. Alongside her work in education, she is also a fitness trainer, encouraging people to prioritise self-care and maintain a healthy mind and body.
In her role as Learning Support Advisor at CUC Longreach, Joy enjoys welcoming students with a warm smile and friendly chat, helping them feel supported and confident as they navigate their study journey. She draws on her teaching background to support students with academic skills such as referencing, assignment planning, exam preparation, and effective study strategies.
Sophie Elliott
Hub Coordinator/Learning Support Advisor
Based in:
Sophie’s passion for her role stems from growing up on a cattle station near Winton. She completed her primary schooling through Longreach School of Distance Education and attended boarding school for five years.
After finishing Year 12, Sophie was often told, “you’ll have to go away to uni”, despite wanting nothing more than to return home. At the time, there were few opportunities to study externally or combine tertiary study with work locally. This lived experience fuels her strong belief in the importance of the CUC model.
At CUC Winton, Sophie supports students with academic skills, navigating university systems, exam preparation, and local engagement activities, helping ensure students can pursue post-school opportunities close to home.
Helen Allen
Hub Coordinator/Learning Support Advisor
Based in:
Helen is the Learning Support Advisor for Blackall and Barcaldine, bringing a lifetime of experience in education. Her background includes roles as a governess, teacher assistant, special needs teacher aide, and librarian.
A long-time resident of the Augathella–Blackall–Tambo region, Helen now lives just outside Blackall. She is deeply passionate about helping people study in place and is proud to support local students to pursue their goals without having to leave their community.
Krystal Neilson
Hub Coordinator/Learning Support Advisor
Based in:
Krystal grew up in Winton and received the Pearl Duncan Scholarship to study a Bachelor of Primary Education in Townsville and Cairns. She spent twelve years living and working in Boulia as a teacher and principal before completing a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
Now managing her family’s cattle property and raising her children, Krystal brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of studying in remote communities. She is passionate about supporting local students and draws on her own diverse study and life experiences to help others succeed.
Jack King
Student Support Coordinator
Based in:
Jack is a Student Support Coordinator based in Longreach. Originally from Western Australia, he worked as a boilermaker across various regions of Australia before discovering a strong passion for learning and personal development.
Jack returned to study and completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science through distance education while living in the outback. He is now preparing to undertake further study and is deeply committed to supporting regional and remote students.
Drawing on his lived experience, academic background, and practical life skills, Jack is passionate about helping students in Central West Queensland access education, build confidence, and realise their potential.
Liza Cameron
Network Manager
Based in:
As a western Queensland local, returning to Longreach in 2019 marked a shift from Liza’s long-standing career in education. With a strong belief that where you live should never limit what you can achieve, she has always been passionate about guiding students toward meaningful career pathways.
After five years away from the education sector, stepping into the role of Network Manager and leading the launch of CUC RAPAD CWQ has been incredibly rewarding. Liza oversees the network across all eight study hubs and considers it a privilege to support students to reach their goals within their own communities.
If you’re not sure who to contact, that’s okay. You can reach out to any of our team and we’ll help connect you with the right person.
Email: degrees@cucrapadcwq.edu.au
Phone: 0497 802 102