State of the art facilities to train the region’s next generation of health professionals were unveiled in Taree today with the official opening of the University of Newcastle’s Manning Education Centre.

With Australian Government funding of $6 million, the University’s Manning Education Centre was opened by Mr Simon Crean, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, and Mr Rob Oakeshott, Member for Lyne.

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Saunders, said the initiative marked an important milestone in the delivery of quality higher education in regional Australia.

“The establishment of the Manning Education Centre is the result of significant local effort. Over the past 30 years, the Taree community and health service have been very supportive of the University and its medical students.”

Comprising the University Department of Rural Health and the Rural Clinical School, the new centre provides support to medical, nursing and allied health students who are completing placements of up to 12 months. The centre includes a clinical laboratory with state of the art facilities for student training, contemporary teaching spaces, and a growing academic and research presence.

The University delivers University Department of Rural Health and Rural Clinical School programs in collaboration with Hunter New England Local Health Network and the University of New England.

“The Manning Education Centre initiative by the Australian Government and the University of Newcastle is an investment in delivering the next generation of the region’s health workforce,” Professor Saunders said.

“With our partners, the University is committed to providing the highest standards of education for our communities across the mid north coast, the Hunter and central coast regions.”