UNE held an event in Taree on Saturday 15th to launch Future Fit to a MidCoast audience.
Yves Byers, UNE’s Taree Coordinator, was the driving force behind the successful Future Fit event.
What is your role at UNE Taree?
I am the Coordinator at UNE Taree which is a one-stop shop for future and current UNE students. We provide advice, support and assistance for people wherever they may be on their academic journey, from first considering university study through to graduation and beyond.
What do you love about your role at UNE Taree?
I have been in this role since 2001. It’s a fabulous job. I love helping people achieve their academic ambitions. There are over 500 students from the Manning region enrolled at UNE and most of these people are studying part-time while juggling hectic work and family commitments. UNE Taree is open for students seven days a week, from 6.30am to 10.30pm providing busy students with a perfect space for some quite study, research and assignment writing, and an opportunity to catch up with other students.
Some of the first students I assisted had just started their families and I am now assisting their children, who are starting out on their own academic journey. Every day I meet remarkably inspiring people, some of whom who have overcome all sorts of challenges and obstacles to complete university study and improve their lives.
Are you a Taree local?
I am still considered a new-arrival to the area, having moved to Taree from Sydney 20 years ago. I love the Manning Valley and spend as much time as possible outdoors exploring nearby rivers, beaches, forests and mountains. My husband and I often putter along the Manning River in our little tinny with our little dog, Ajax.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
In 2006 I graduated from CSU with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Equine Studies and followed that up with an Advanced Diploma at UNE, with a bunch of Criminology and Creative Writing units. I love to read and play Scrabble and dream of writing an intriguing, best-seller crime fiction novel someday.
Yves goes above and beyond for her students and is the most dedicated and knowledgeable UNE staff member I know. I’m so happy to see her celebrated here on the blog!