Dr Barbara Webster, from the School of Humanities, has been swept up by public attention thanks to the 55th anniversary of a cyclonic event and a high-school forum.

Dr Webster has done radio, television and newspaper interviews recalling the 1949 cyclone which caused damage, death and injury to the communities of Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Emu Park and Gladstone.

An archaeology tour of South Sea Islander cultural sites on Wednesday March 31 is to be the first major event for CQU Foundation in 2004.

The Foundation, part of the Division of University Relations, is excited to have Trudy White, local archaeologist, leading the tour through significant Australian South Sea Island sites beginning at the ‘Kanaka Town’ area in Rockhampton and down through various sites around Yeppoon, and then Farnborough where the original Yeppoon Sugar Company was situated.

Two of Central Queensland’s senior agricultural scientists, Dr Bill Burrows and Dr John Vercoe, were presented with gold-plated lapel buttons in recognition of their dedicated research for the primary industries, particularly for Queensland.

The presentations happened after a CQU-hosted seminar on the interactions between upland and lowland farming enterprises in the Philippines by Dr Jerry Shivelly, of Purdue University in the USA (pictured above right with CQU's Professor David Midmore).

More than half of last year’s Emerald STEPS students are celebrating successful entry into CQU 2004 degree programs.

CQU Emerald STEPS coordinator Stephanie Garoni told the Central Queensland News this week that she was delighted eight of the 14 STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) students that graduated in 2003 were offered university places this year.

Exceptional performance and excellent customer service from library staff at Central Queensland University’s Gladstone campus has been acknowledged through the library's Inaugural Excel Award. Librarian, Carol Ryan and library assistant, Julie Reading were nominated for the award by Campus Library Manager, Karin Simon.

Former Central Queensland University Mackay student and Mackay Base Hospital nurse Noelene Stott has been awarded the Royal College of Nursing Australia High Achiever Award.

The award is given to the highest achieving graduating nurse at Mackay, Bundaberg and Rockhampton campuses.

Central Queensland University's Language Centre is attracting return visits from overseas students keen to upgrade their English skills in an attractive environment.

One such return visitor is Fukuoka-bred Shinichi Takeshita, who first came to CQU two years ago with a study tour group.

Over 70 Skills for Tertiary Preparatory Studies (STEPS) students completed Orientation Day activities at Central Queensland University Mackay recently.

STEPS co-ordinator Lyn Forbes-Smith said enrolment figures for 2004 had jumped by 40% above previous years.

Central Queensland University Mackay Library Society’s first film night for 2004 will be screened at the campus Cook Theatre on March 5 from 7.30pm.

Over 510 prospective tertiary education students have been offered a place to study at Central Queensland University Mackay in 2004.

Ahead of commencing the new academic year, first-year students will undertake Orientation Week activities at the campus from March 2-5.