Our Plan
The Murray River Study Hub provides opportunities for regional students to pursue tertiary education and VET alternatives without having to travel or relocate outside of the region. This improved access to education will bring career opportunities for local businesses and industry. Both students and employers can take advantage of the hub to bridge real career pathways and equip students with a skillset to meet the demands of the local workforce.
We can help you find the right course for you. This allows school leavers, current/previous university students and mature aged students the flexibility to choose from a huge range of courses and a mode of study to suit their lifestyle and work commitments.
The Study Hub has campuses in Murray Bridge and Berri, both co-located at TAFE SA campuses.
Our History
For more than a decade, the Murray River communities have been advocating for a tertiary education presence to address the loss of local learners to Adelaide and to improve career and economic development within the region. Access to higher education has been a significant barrier to enterprise growth and population retention across the region.
The local government leadership in the region maintains a strong focus of increasing tertiary education services in the area, actively advocating for an increase of training opportunities leading to the creation of the Murray River Study Hub (MRSH).
In 2018, The Rural City of Murray Bridge was successful in receiving grant funding through the Federal Department of Education & Training to activate the hub in 2019. The Study Hub Murraylands campus opended in Murray Bridge in 2019 and the Riverland campus opened in 2020.
The vision is to create a tertiary education pathway in region, to increase post-secondary schooling uptake. The delivery of tertiary courses and study support in regional locations allows students to remain living in our townships and communities, and provides options for the start of tertiary study, whilst still at high school.
Our Team
Vanessa Leigh - Program Manager
Vanessa is a skilled project and program manager who has been working in regional economic growth initiatives for more than 10 years. As a local professional and parent, she has a vested interest and passion in ensuring the region has a strong base of skilled experts and avenues for people to study after SACE. She also understands the challenges of managing family life in a rural setting while aspiring to gain a university degree.
Vanessa has helped build the foundations of the Murray River Study Hub and is your first point of call for industry networking, business training needs and partnerships.
Contact Vanessa:
Miriam van der Woude - Student Advisor - Riverland
Miriam has worked with people of all ages across the Riverland for 15 years, guiding them through decision making and sourcing strategies to help make important life changes including pathways for goal setting and education.
Miriam has also worked in support and counselling across a large range of areas in the region including family and relationship support programs in Berri.
Miriam looks forward to bringing her experience and knowledge to residents studying in the region.
Contact Miriam:
8539 1499
Wendy Pfennig - Riverland Coordinator
Born and raised in the Riverland, Wendy has a passion for the region with a focus on education and lifelong learning having worked in the education sector for the past 10 years.
Wendy is committed to supporting community members stay in the region with their families and support networks and succeed in post-secondary school education whether it be for personal development or upskilling.
Contact Wendy:
8539 4202
Jane Shaw - Student Advisor - Murraylands
Jane comes to us from a background of content development, both face to face and online delivery, within the post-secondary sector.
With her own education grounded in the Arts, Jane brings her creativity to support people achieve their study goals and navigate potential barriers.
She has a passion for lifelong learning that motivates her to promote regional study and broaden accessibility toward positive study outcomes.
Contact Jane:
8539 1467
Our Executive Steering Committee
Michael Sedgman
CEO, Rural City of Murray Bridge
An expert in business, commerce and law, Michael has extensive experience and knowledge in the fields of financial strategic management, governance and leadership in both the public and private sector.
Meredith Parry
Executive Director,
TAFE SA
An executive change leader, Meredith has over 30 years' experience in the tertiary education sector and believes education has the ability to change lives and build strong resilient communities.
Ben Fee
CE, Regional Development Aust. Murraylands & Riverland
With an extensive understanding of the region, built throughout his twelve-year career in the South Australian Government, Ben is passionate about sustainable development throughout the Murraylands and Riverland.
Bridget Mather
CEO, Coorong District Council
With over 25 years in Local and Federal Government, Bridget advocates for improving the challenges associated with distance study, limited education resources and the need for skilled workers in regional areas.
Dylan Strong
CEO, Berri Barmera Council
Dylan has a breadth of experience gained through Executive and Management roles within Regional Development, State Government and private business and established broad networks at all levels of government, within the business sector and throughout the community.
