CQUniversity academics Dr Lorna Moxham and Dr Peter Reaburn helped lead key topics for Rockhampton's 2020 and Youth Summit event on Friday (September 19).

Dr Moxham acted as co-chair for the 'Communities and Families' topic and Dr Peter Reaburn co-chaired the 'Health and Fitness' topic.

Petros Khalesirad (front) with Dr Kevin Ronan, Dr Lorna Moxham, Sean Peckover and Dr Peter Reaburn

Dr Reaburn commented that: "The youthful energy and thoughtful enthusiasm displayed by the 2020 Youth Summit participants lead me to believe that our future is in good hands. It was a pleasure to be involved with such an intelligent and caring group".

Meanwhile, CQUniversity graduate Sean Peckover (OH&S) was among the organisational team behind the event.

CQUniversity's Dr Kevin Ronan, who participated in the event, noted that the Summit organisational team included psychology graduate Sara McCartney.

Dr Moxham said she overheard a range of positive comments from the young participants including:

- " it's really good we can have a say"

- " I didn't realise how much we were the future"

- "why do kids go south when we have a uni here?"

- "this is awesome, I hope some of my ideas get up"

- "everyone needs to work together, the young and the old for a better future'.

The Summit is the initiative of Rockhampton entrepreneur Petros Khalesirad and has received support from CQUniversity and a wide range of other community and government organisations.

Its overall vision is to make Rockhampton region the 'liveable capital of Australia'.

Details are at: http://www.rockhampton2020.com.au/