Around 14 nursing students and 2 academics are planning for a month-long work and cultural program from November 24 to December 22.

Program spokesperson Vicki Zahl said the group was fundraising to help with expenses and would welcome pledges of support via lecturer Dr Kerry Reid-Searl at Rockhampton Campus (07 4930 9741).

Vice-Chancellor and President John Rickard this week (Sept 23) announced his intention to retire from CQUniversity Australia at the end of July 2009, upon completion of his 5-year contract.

"My wife, Veronica, and I believe it is time, finally, to make time for us," said Professor Rickard who came to CQUniversity in August 2004 from Southern Cross University, where he was also Vice-Chancellor.

The International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR) at CQUniversity is evaluating a program set up to help overseas-trained doctors enter the Australian medical workforce.

The research follows on from a pilot study of the Redland Hospital Observer Program, which found that many overseas trained doctors give up their medical careers due to difficulties integrating into the Australian system.

Margaret Strelow's name is well known in Central Queensland because of the outstanding contribution Margaret made as a Councillor then as Mayor from 2000 to 2008 of the Rockhampton City Council.

Margaret's contribution was many fold in effectively promoting major mining and industrial projects in the region, developing regional water strategies, embracing an integrated approach to development planning, and strongly advocating, in the face of opposition from other Councils, the amalgamations which have resulted in the Rockhampton Regional Council today.

Dudley Roach recently retired from CQUniversity after a long association with this institution which began in 1973.  He joined the University's research effort in railways in 1994 with the train dynamics project.

Dick MacNevin, as one of Central Queensland's most prominent and respected identities, has given a lifetime of service to the community.

After completing primary school, Dick worked in a variety of jobs before successfully undertaking an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic.

Congratulations to Dreamtime Cultural Centre administrator Bob Blair who has won the Central Queensland Medal for Leadership in Management, an Australian Institute of Management (AIM) award sponsored by CQUniversity.

The award was presented earlier this month at AIM's Management Excellence Awards at Kershaw House in Rockhampton.

Bob Blair's name and face are well known in Central Queensland and beyond as the driving force behind Rockhampton's Dreamtime Cultural Centre for the past few decades.

Leaving school at the age of 14 to undertake a series of menial jobs, Bob joined the Australian Army in 1961, taking full advantage of the training opportunities offered to him during his 23 years of service and finishing with the highest rank available to him, that of Regimental Sergeant Major.