Bundaberg's Louise Francis has added a bit of creativity to her retirement with completion of a Master of Letters degree in Creative Writing.

The 56-year-old grandmother said the process of gaining the degree had been a good springboard and she was now looking forward to developing her interest in poetry and illustrations.

Some of Australia’s leading women in technology have conducted a career information session and workshop for the region’s girls and women at Central Queensland University Rockhampton.

The events were part of a Women in Technology (WIT) regional tour of Queensland which involves some of the nation’s brightest new stars from ICT and BioTech.

In scenes worthy of ticket lines for a rock concert, students of CQU Sydney International Campus were eager to start the 2006 academic year, with some bleary-eyed folk lining up as early as 5.30am to ensure their preferred choice of subjects and classes.

An enthusiastic audience of more than 85 people participated in a CQU Press book launch at Tweed Heads last week, on the border of Queensland and NSW.

The book being launched was the biography of Colonel Lionel Rose OBE AM authored by Trish Lonsdale.

Central Queensland University will host a going home celebration next week (February 15) for 11 international students who have just completed their studies in Rockhampton.

The celebration will be held at the Rockhampton Campus’ Harvard Lecture Theatre from 5.

New migrants to the Rockhampton district will feel even more welcome, with the launch of a Nurturing Migrant Project this week.

A project officer based in the Community Informatics (COIN) office, corner of East and Fitzroy streets, will identify the needs of new migrants and link them with relevant social and health service providers.

Water recycling and sustainable housing was hot topics at a free water seminar held at CQU Rockhampton on Friday February 17 (from noon-4pm in the main building 6 lecture theatre).

An audience of 65 local and state government representatives, mining personel, local community groups including Greening Australia, farmers and researchers, came from as far afield as Longreach, Mackay and Caloundra.

A Memorandum of Understanding between Anglo Coal Australia, Central Queensland University and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE/TAFE Queensland Mining Services was signed on Tuesday, February 14 at CQU Rockhampton.

The MOU will cement an ongoing relationship between the three organisations who have been working together to provide a mining technology education program for Anglo Coal Australia employees.

Central Queensland University has hosted a going home celebration (February 15) for 11 international students who have just completed their studies in Rockhampton.

The celebration was held at the Rockhampton Campus’ Harvard Lecture Theatre.

Central Queensland University Professor Paul Hyland has been invited to join an influential focus group examining the innovation practices of Australian companies.

The event will be run jointly by the Australian Business Foundation and global consulting network Deloitte.