Grassroots Organisation Helping Bridge Education Divide for Regional Students

A national charity supporting rural and regional students says Australia’s persistent education divide is continuing to create major barriers for young people pursuing further study after school.

The Country Education Foundation is raising awareness of the issue through its annual Boot Bash fundraising campaign, which encourages communities to host events and help support students facing the costs of post-school education.

Speaking with FlowFM’s Jessica Dempster on the Country Viewpoint, Country Education Foundation Chief Executive Officer Wendy Mason said the organisation has been helping regional students pursue further training for more than three decades.

“We support young people aged 16 to 25 in rural and regional areas as they take their next steps out of school,” she said.

Founded more than 30 years ago in Boorowa, the organisation now operates a network of nearly 50 volunteer-run local foundations across Australia.

Last year alone, the foundation supported more than 800 students through grants, mentoring and community support designed to help them transition into university, apprenticeships, TAFE training or other educational pathways.

However, Ms Mason said many rural students face significant obstacles simply accessing further education.

“Eighty-two per cent of the students we support need to leave home to pursue their training,” she said.

“That means dealing with relocation costs, living expenses and often unpaid work placements while trying to study.”

The challenge is particularly pronounced in fields such as healthcare, education and social services, where mandatory placements can limit students’ ability to earn income while studying.

National data also highlights the broader education gap between people who grew in the country compared to the city. Ms Mason said nearly half of adults in major cities hold a Certificate IV qualification or higher, compared with roughly one in three people living in regional Australia.

“Where someone grows up - their postcode - still has a significant impact on their education outcomes,” she said.

Despite these barriers, Ms Mason said many regional students remain deeply committed to rural communities, with most hoping to return to regional areas after completing their qualifications.

“When you invest in a young person from a rural or regional community, you’re investing in the future of that community,” she said.

To help bridge the gap, the organisation is encouraging Australians to get involved in its Boot Bash fundraising campaign, which invites individuals, schools and businesses to host community events.

Participants are encouraged to “pull on their boots” and organise anything from barbecues and morning teas to themed gatherings, with funds raised going directly toward education grants for regional students.

“It’s about bringing people together in a fun way while raising funds that make a real difference,” Ms Mason said.

“We know the support works - 79 per cent of the students we help say they wouldn’t have been able to pursue their studies without it.”

As the foundation continues expanding its network across Australia, Ms Mason said community support will remain key to ensuring regional students have access to the same opportunities as their metropolitan peers.

“Education opens doors,” she said.

“Once someone has that qualification, it stays with them for life — and many of them bring those skills back to strengthen rural and regional communities.”