by Trevor Arnold Professor, School of Health and Human Performance in the Faculty of Arts, Health and Science at Central Queensland University.

I have just arrived back home from my first trip to Bali.

Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music Director Greg Whateley and ABC presenter Anne O’Keeffe were guest speakers at a ‘Town and Gown’ event last week in Mackay.

The topic for the evening ‘Music and Mayhem’ led Ms O’Keeffe to present a range of music associated with military battles from World War I to today.

Parents, carers and teachers need to make sure they let children know just how important they are in their lives, says a leading Central Queensland University educator.

“I encourage parents, carers and teachers to become involved in the Children’s Week celebration and let children know they are special and valued members of our families, schools and communities,” said Faculty Education and Creative Arts Sub Dean and Lecturer Helen Huntly.

CQU participated in a review this week of Port Curtis, as part of a national conference to assess the ecosystem health of the region’s estuaries and waterways. Dr Alistair Melzer, Director of the Centre for Environmental Management at CQU, said the conference (held Wednesday through Friday at the Gladstone Engineering Centre) explored port management issues with a focus on sustainable development.

In a first for the national tertiary sector, Central Queensland University is poised to launch postgraduate on-line public relations studies. The programme aims to introduce a new set of technological skills for public relations professionals.

An intelligent software system has been developed that could make shared taxi travel as cost effective as bus travel in areas where public transportation is not available, according to researchers.

Central Queensland University computer scientist Dr Victor Korotkikh, in partnership with Mackay Taxi Holdings, has designed software that allows taxis to co-ordinate pick-ups for various passengers travelling to different destinations.

CQU currently provides a peer support program for all first-year undergraduate internal students (full-time/part-time) studying at our campuses. This program links first-year students to Student Mentors during the first day of the University's orientation program.

Leona McGorrery has not allowed a recent stroke to prevent her from finishing her STEPS program.

A mother of five, Ms McGorrery enrolled in the program in order to fulfil a lifetime dream of studying beyond Year 10.

Representatives from education, training, business and industry have combined resources and expertise to more effectively tap into the international student market.

The central Queensland Education and Training Network Australia believes the economic and cultural advantages for Central Queensland are potentially enormous.

A Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy research group has been established at Central Queensland University’s Process Engineering and Light Metals Centre (PELM) to perform research for local industry.

Coordinator for the group Dr Col Greensill said the group aims to perform research for local industry helping to improve industry efficiency and in the development of new products and processes.