When Education Opens the Gate: with Duncan Taylor

Duncan Taylor knows firsthand what it means to leave a small rural town in pursuit of education - and what it means to come home again. Growing up on a sheep and cattle property in Nimmitabel on the Monaro, Duncan headed away to boarding school at just nine years old. Like many country children of that era, the experience felt confronting at first. But over time it shaped his understanding of institutions, community and the skills young people need to thrive beyond the farm gate. Years later, Duncan and his wife Bronnie found themselves navigating the same journey as parents when their own daughters went to boarding school. In this conversation, Duncan reflects on what it’s like to support children from afar and the balance parents must strike between protecting their children and allowing them to grow. Beyond his own family story, Duncan has been deeply involved in advocating for rural education. As a former President of the Isolated Children’s Parents Association of NSW, he worked to improve access and support for geographically isolated families. Today, he is helping lead one of the most exciting developments in regional education - the growth of Country Universities Centres across Australia. These community-led facilities are giving rural students access to university study closer to home, with technology, support and a learning community designed for regional life. It’s a conversation about opportunity, patience, community leadership and why education remains one of the most powerful tools for strengthening rural Australia.