Central Queensland University was among 9 of the State's universities involved in providing advice and guidance to Australia Post's Indigenous Literacy Project.

As well as a formal statement from the Vice-Chancellor endorsing the project, CQU Associate Professor William Oates acted as a sounding board for selection of Indigenous authors.

Children from Mornington Island
As part of the project, 5 mentors were sent to Aurukun, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Palm Island and Lockhart River to promote literacy and encourage the children to participate in a postcard and letter writing competition with the theme 'Strong and Smart: Young, Black and Proud'.

Project organisers received more than 400 entries from the 5 communities and the judging ceremony took place on Tuesday October 30 in the historic Eber Lane room of the GPO in Brisbane where Delmae Barton (renowned Indigenous Opera singer) helped judge the entries.

The prize presentations will take place at each of the 5 communities throughout late November and early December. This is when the winners will be announced.

Apart from the universities' input, Australia Post received support from the Queensland Government, through the Government Champions Program, Arts Queensland and SDS within the Department of Public Works, Qantas, MacAir, SkyTrans, QantasLink, Former Origin Greats, the Travellers Medical Service, Indij Readers, Australian Workers Heritage Centre, Penguin Books and Scholastic Books.

Delmae Barton helps to judge the 400 entries