Distance education--adult independent study by correspondence--is provided in South Australia by the Open College of Further Education. The Open College provides mainly postsecondary continuing vocational education and technical training, often leading to certificates or diplomas. In addition, the Open College has links with institutions of higher education through which students may take graduate and inservice teacher training courses. The Open College is part of the Department of Further Education network of colleges, and shares faculty and teaching materials with other network colleges. Open College was started at the beginning of the 1970s and grew with the decade. Thousands of students have taken courses, and more than 32,000 have graduated. The college serves not only the rural population, but also many metropolitan students who find it difficult to attend regular continuing education classes because of work or home schedules, commuting costs, or personal preference for independent study. Students who have taken distance education courses have responded with very positive comments about their experiences. (The Open College publishes a student newspaper, a copy of which is included in this document.) (KC)