CQUniversity Australia
 

Engaging Indigenous people within Higher Ed

CQUniversity's Office of Indigenous Engagement recently hosted a visit from the Oodgeroo Unit of Queensland University of Technology (QUT), at Rockhampton Campus.

Professor Anita Lee Hong, Director of the Oodgeroo Unit, and Lone Pearce, Project Officer, met with Office of Indigenous Engagement staff to discuss employment issues and best practice models for engaging Indigenous people within the higher education sector, including governance matters.

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McInnes urges graduates: 'share yourself with life!' 

Published on 25 February, 2010 

Actor, author and alumnus William McInnes regaled graduates and their guests with humorous stories but left them with words of wisdom, during the Rockhampton Graduation ceremony on Tuesday evening...

The man who once wore a duck suit during his days as a student in Rockhampton said his potential was spotted early by a visiting American lecturer Larry Taylor.

PhotoID:8430, William McInnes charms the media
William McInnes charms the media

LINK HERE for William's Honorary Doctor of Performing Arts citation.

LINK HERE for Graduation honours dedication and achievement

LINK HERE for Faces of Graduation

LINK HERE for Research higher degree graduates recognised

Larry told the young McInnes that performing arts might be an option but also that "you don't have to rush ...you can learn as much by cruising with people and talking; not trying to make yourself a legend before lunch".

Later in life, William recalled that a private school headmaster he met in an airport lounge told him: "to survive the rollercoaster of life ... don't take yourself too seriously - but take your work seriously ... life is too much fun to disappear up your own bum!".

William spoke seriously about his involvement in community organisations, including the board for a men's support service, and less seriously about doing favours for friends of his mother.

PhotoID:8431, William McInnes was a popular guest speaker
William McInnes was a popular guest speaker

The graduation audience enjoyed his tale about visiting an old lady's bedside in hospital and being more effective than a suppository in helping to "move" her.

The guest speaker reminded graduates that at certain stages of their lives they had "possibility", opening up to "a career, a life and journey".

He also reminded them that life can throw up hardship, "but a bad hand is not necessarily the end of your journey .. your story".

"When you share yourself with life and with the lives of others, life has a little trick of making you its own....and it will be a wonderful time you have!."

LINK HERE for more about William McIness' background as an author

LINK for video of the speech:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynHcaM7LKU AND http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qztN-Y4Ha1k