Our People
Sean Bower
Centre Manager
Sean is focused on providing facilities and services in support of all students undertaking higher education in the Mount Isa community. He values student aspiration and success, community relationships and collaboration in rural, remote and regional development context.
Sean has 13 years' plus experience in Change Management, Training, User Adoption and Project Management in ICT, policy and service delivery projects. With over 25 years' experience in service delivery, service management and artist management, Sean has developed a diverse skills base and extensive experience in engagement with varied stakeholder groups for the delivery of agreed outcomes.
Outside of work, Sean's involvement in local community includes being an active member of The Music Shack and a member of the Leadership Team of Crossroads Community Meals.
Sean is excited to work with the Mount Isa community to ensure student access to and success with higher education.
The coffee machine and kettle are always on at CUC Mount Isa.
Drop in for a cuppa and conversation with Sean.
Peta MacRae
Chair
Peta’s Mount Isa story began in 1997 when she arrived in her fourth year of teaching. She fell in love with Mount Isa and her husband Mal, and she is now very much a local.
Their two children were educated in Mount Isa and Peta is now a local business owner and local councillor. She feels the highlight of her career while working for Education Queensland was helping teachers, principals, and schools prepare for the transition from preschool to prep in Queensland State Schools.
Peta is an active member of Zonta and is currently on the board of the Commerce North West. As an expert in education, Peta is excited by the opportunity CUC Mount Isa offers local students and has been a driving force in its creation.
As someone who is still studying, Peta will be the first student to register as CUC Mount Isa student.
Peter Tuppurainen
Director
Pete has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New England and is a Chartered Accountant. He has over 20 years of experience in public practice, specifically in Business Services; Virtual CFO, Advisory for SME’s, Audit, Business Valuations, Strategic Planning, IT Focused Solutions and Taxation.
Outside of work, Pete is the founder and treasurer of the Mount Isa Music Festival, the entertainment coordinator of the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo, and a resident bass player in a local band “Bull Dust”.
Having two daughters who completed schooling in Mount Isa before attending university, as he did, Pete is excited by the opportunity CUC Mount Isa presents for locals and proud to be on board.
Chris Pockock
Director
Chris arrived in Mount Isa as a beginning teacher in 1997. Since then, he has fallen in love with Mount Isa and the Outback and has been very proud to call Mount Isa his home.
Chris is a proud and passionate advocate for state school education, and as the Head of Campus for Spinifex State College—Senior Campus, he has a passion for giving the students of Mount Isa access to the same opportunities as students in bigger centres. He believes that education gives people the opportunity to live a life of choice, not a life of chance.
He is the father of two boys and loves camping, fishing, and travelling in Australia.
