The Con Academy Music Theatre program is now open for aspiring musical theatre performers from Grades 1 to 12 who love to sing, dance and act.

Hosted by the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM), the Academy classes provide musical theatre training for primary and secondary school age children in Mackay and surrounding districts.

Final preparations are underway for the 2013 CQID Reconciliation Carnival to be held from January 26-28 at CQUniversity Rockhampton.

The Central Queensland Indigenous Development Ltd event is expected to attract hundreds of male and female players and spectators to the Ian Coombe Oval.

Performing Arts graduate Belinda Crawley should be eternally grateful that the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation refused to play Beatles music back in the 1960s..

CQUniversity Mackay staff members enjoyed a morning tea while raising vital funds for the people affected by recent fires in Tasmania.

CQUniversity's School of Medical and Applied Sciences lecturer, Dr Delma Clifton, said while Queenslanders could not help physically, she hoped a small donation would make a difference to those affected by the bushfires.

With recent data showing CQUniversity students studying engineering programs have a success rate for employment of over 90%**, first-year Electrical Engineering students Travis Smith and Lachlan Forsyth are well on their way to a dream career.

In addition, thanks to companies like Lend Lease, CQUniversity students are being guaranteed the best possible training during their time at university.

CQUniversity Mackay's Melinda Haack and Naomi Hodgson will join a team of 10 Bachelor of Learning Management students who will make the journey to Delhi tomorrow (Saturday, January 12) to provide support to the less fortunate.

The Mackay students have been busy fundraising and will take $1475 to donate towards Saalam Baalak - a trust which provides support services for children in difficult circumstances.

CQUniversity's Community Sports Centre Gym Instructor, Simon Thomas recently conducted a fitness demonstration for U3A Rockhampton members at their December meeting.

U3A members and regular attendees at the Seniors Aerobics classes held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the CQUniversity Community Sports Centre assisted Simon during the demonstration.

A CQUniversity researcher has helped produce a new book which flies the flag for regions as 'building blocks' to achieve national goals.

Dr Susan Kinnear co-edited Regional Advantage and Innovation - Achieving Australia's National Outcomes with Kate Charters and Dr Peter Vitartas.

Eight undergraduate CQUniversity Health and Social Science Students will gain hands-on research experience in early 2013 thanks to the Institute of Health and Social Science Research's High Achievers Vacation Research Scholarships (HAVRS).

Aimed at furthering the academic achievements and research experience of high achieving undergraduates, the scholarships will give students the chance to work with the university's leading researchers on a range of different topics.