Studying for the future
Study Gold Coast chief executive SHANNON WILLOUGHBY wants visitors to talk about the strength of the city’s education sector when they return home rather than the weather
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE GOLD COAST?
“That the city has a lot of opportunities, I feel like it’s a young city, it’s energetic, it always punches above its weight and it has so much opportunity for growth and amazing things to happen here.
“It’s ready to take on and tackle anything – whether it’s the Commonwealth Games or Queensland’s first light rail or funding Study Gold Coast – it is ready to take on some pretty big challenges.”
“Personally, I like the Gold Coast, it’s home to my grandmother, my mother, my daughter – we’ve had a connection with the Coast since birth.
“I’ve lived pretty much in every suburb from Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD BE DONE BETTER ON THE GOLD COAST?
“The city is going through a growing-up phase and we’re starting to focus on other areas – I think allowing those others areas like education and health to become the headlines for a
bit, I think city would benefit.
“We have, in the past, pigeonholed ourselves a little bit as being a one-trick pony and I think there’s more to the city than that.
“City leaders are starting to understand that now and are starting to tell a deeper, more meaningful story about what the city has to offer. But we’re not there yet.”
IN YOUR TRAVELS, WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN BEING DONE ELSEWHERE YOU THINK COULD WORK WELL HERE?
“I think public infrastructure is critical to a good city – footpaths and good public transport.
“I’m really pleased that the cultural scene’s starting to
emerge. Little things like the opening hours of restaurants that come with a bigger city is something that I’d like to see grow on the Coast – the live music scene.
“I love Melbourne, it’s my other favourite city. They’ve done a great job of bringing to life their CBD over the past 20 years which is now something they trademark and sell.”
IF MONEY, TIME, LAWS AND APPROVALS WERE NO ISSUE, WHAT IS ONE BIG PROJECT YOU’D UNDERTAKE TOMORROW?
“From a Study Gold Coast point of view and from a personal point of view, our biggest project is enhancing our reputation.
“How do we add more depth and rich content to the Gold Coast story? A lot of that is about creating opportunities for students while they’re here, having an effective way to help more businesses become more engaged with our student community to provide them with more opportunities.
“Creating those opportunities and having all students engaged with businesses – not necessarily a job – it could be any touch point a business has with a student can increase opportunity for career success and it’s also great for businesses because businesses are being exposed to the workforce of tomorrow.
“I’d love for the city to be regarded as a city which genuinely cares about graduate outcomes.
“It would be a game-changer for our reputation, a game changer for businesses and for the education and training sector.
“So when people talk about the Gold Coast over their Saturday afternoon barbecues, they’re not just talking about how nice the weather is or how they’ve been to Movie World, but they’re talking about how they’ve got such a good education and training sector on the Coast.
“This will help the Gold Coast’s reputation and diversify its economy.”
WHAT CONVERSATIONS SHOULD GOLD COAST MOVERS AND SHAKERS BE HAVING?
“Education is the key to our future. I will not leave this city until everyone is talking about education and training and I’ll be repeating it to the point where people get sick of me.
“I think we’re having those conversations, I’d like to see it brought more into the spotlight – I’d love to see the movers and shakers talk about education and training the way we talk about tourism.”