Students undertaking the Understanding Tourism course on Rockhampton campus were recently visited in their class by Tony Cullen and Anthea Curtis, from Rockhampton Tourist and Business Information (RTBI).

Anthea, RTBI Events Manager and coordinator of the volunteer program for Beef 2006, invited students to participate in Beef 2006 and gain some ‘on the ground’ experience of what it is like to be involved in such a major business-tourism special event.

Tony Cullen, General Manager of RTBI, told the students how important it was to gain industry experience if they are interested in entering the tourism industry upon graduation.

He said that: “employers look for students who have demonstrated not just academic ability but also the initiative to go out and gain experience of the industry”.

Several students have taken up Anthea’s invitation and will be working as volunteers during Beef 2006, which runs from May 1-7.

The Beef Australia expo is held every 3 years in Rockhampton and showcases innovation and education in the beef industry. It also focuses on information exchange across all tiers of beef production and consumption.

Beef Australia requires the assistance of hundreds of volunteers who take on many roles in the lead up to and during the event.

Details are available at: www.beefaustralia.org/get-involved/volunteer-program/