Professor Caroline McMillen, who was the special guest at a Civic Reception at the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre last Friday evening, met mayors Martin Rush (Muswellbrook) and Wayne Bedggood (Upper Hunter) during a visit to the region, as well as a number of principals from local schools. 

Prof McMillen said it was an excellent chance to see the strength of the respective communities.

“I’m proud of our ties to the area,” she told the Chronicle.

“And, the university looks forward to a long collaboration with the Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter shire councils.

“I’m impressed with the local leadership, which displays innovation.

“Someone once said, ‘talent is everywhere, opportunity is not’.

“But, a fantastic resource is present in Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter.”

Cr Rush said the affiliation boasted a lot of promise for the shire.

“Muswellbrook Shire Council’s relationship with the University of Newcastle, through the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources, aims to attract research investment into the Upper Hunter,” he said.

“Council and the university are currently working together on a strategy to establish a hub of research activity in the Upper Hunter to promote economic diversification in the areas of energy technologies and environmental remediation, land use management, soil productivity, water management, climate adaptation, energy efficiency, precision or high efficiency agriculture.

“At a practical level, this involves partnering with researchers and industry participants to attract large scale pilot demonstration plant to Muswellbrook leading to training and jobs opportunities.

“The partnership between the university and council is well underway with several projects already in development.”