Shopfront in Byron Bay

Byron Shire will have a University presence following the announcement of an agreement between Southern Cross University and the Byron Community and Cultural Centre.

The University has leased a major space on the first floor of the Centre to be used for a range of activities including classes, workshops and professional development courses. It will also operate a shopfront open to the community.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Clark said this was an excellent arrangement which would bring enormous benefits to the Byron community and the University.

“Establishing a physical presence in Byron Bay has been one of the University’s key objectives. We see this as the start of an ongoing commitment to providing additional services and opportunities in this part of our regional footprint,” Professor Clark said.

The University already runs a successful Summer Law School at the Centre, which attracts students from around the country, and will be looking to expand the courses on offer. A Southern Cross University staff member will also be available on site during business hours to answer queries.

Jan Mangleson, the President of the Byron Community and Cultural Centre management committee, welcomed Southern Cross University to the Byron Shire.

“We are delighted that the University is coming to the Shire and will have a presence at Byron Bay. The University will have an office and workspace at the Centre. This arrangement will provide many benefits for the Byron community,” Mrs Mangleson said.

“We are proud that the Byron Community and Cultural Centre has been able to contribute to achieving this important objective.”

Mrs Mangleson said the University had been one of the Centre’s major clients over the past four years, with several conferences and seminars presented each year. The establishment of an ongoing presence will cement an already strong relationship between the two organisations.

Under the arrangement with the University, many of the users of the space will continue to be accommodated.

A unique feature of the arrangement will be the capacity to sublet to other groups. There are a number of organisations which have made bookings and the University has agreed to take those on, thus giving local organisations the opportunity to continue to access the Centre.

Photo: Byron Community and Cultural Centre manager Cassandra Parkinson (left) and Callista Cooper, Southern Cross University project officer. Callista will be based at the Centre.