Three key staff members (pictured) have seen CQU evolve from a small regional education institution to the international organisation it is today.

At a ceremony at CQU Rockhampton this week Vice-Chancellor John Rickard was able to award two 35-years and one 25-years meritorious service medals in person, among a list of other long service awards.

35 years plaques went to:.

DAVE CARDNELL – James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems.

GREG WILLIAMS – Faculty of Arts, Health and Sciences.

ALEX DOUGAN – Faculty of Arts, Health and Sciences.

RICHARD MCGLASHAN – Division of Facilities Management.

25 years medals went to:.

BRUCE ACUTT – Faculty of Business and Law.

KEITH HARROWER – Faculty of Arts, Health and Sciences.

KATHY RAMM – CQU International.

Former senior lecturer in chemistry, Faculty of Arts, Health & Sciences, Greg Williams and Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning), Faculty of Engineering & Physical Systems, Dave Cardnell both were awarded for their 35 years of service to the University, while Head of the School of Management, Faculty of Business & Law, Bruce Acutt was awarded for his 25 years of service.

Describing his first impressions of CQU on his first day on the job, Greg Williams remembered there being only two occupied buildings which gradually expanded over the coming years.

"We really had no idea where it was to go," he explained. "It was unbelievable to see the University evolve with the introduction of distance education and overseas locations.

"I remember the grass fires [on CQU's property] in the early days and regularly being bogged.".

Mr Williams officially retired in 1999, however has held contract teaching positions since.

Dave Cardnell said the highlight of his time at CQU was being there when major changes occurred, knowing he was part of, and involved with those changes.

"However, confirming to the Chancellor that the graduates have satisfied the requirements for their award when my eldest daughter graduated is difficult to top. Hopefully, I will be able to do the same when my youngest daughter graduates.".

Looking into the future, Mr Cardnell said he would like to still be at CQU to see the results of the future re-structure.

"And I'd like to be here to see if they recognise 40 years of continuous service to the organisation.".

Bruce Acutt commenced, on-contract, preparing management courses for the business department's Graduate Diploma of Management in 1977.

"Academia wasn't my choice of career, but after 25 years it has been just that," he explained. In 1991, Bruce became the Head, School of Management and remained in this position until the end of 2004. He has been part of the many changes in the Faculty and CQU since commencing.

"The Faculty has always been a leader for CQU, with the teaching load increasing to around 6000 EFSTU [effective full-time student teaching units] from the 1993 total of 1404. The School of Management has averaged around 44% of the Faculty total and only recently has fallen to about 38% because of the increased interest in accounting programs," Bruce said.

Bruce will have more time for research and further study when he leaves the role of Head of School in 2005.

Congratulations to all our our long-serving staff.

15 years medals went to:.

GREG AHCHAY – Division of Facilities Management.

DEBBIE BARDRICK – Division of Teaching and Learning Services.

MEGAN BARRETT – Office of Research.

KERRY BROWN – Financial Services Division.

JANE CLEAL – Division of Teaching and Learning Services.

MARGARET CLIFTON - Division of Teaching and Learning Services.

JEFF COOKE - - Faculty of Informatics and Communication.

KEN DIEFENBACH – Information Technology Division.

LEO DUIVENVOORDEN – Faculty of Arts, Health and Sciences.

KATHY EGEA - Faculty of Informatics and Communication.

SUE EVANS – Office of Research.

ROBERT FISHER – Faculty of Business and Law.

VAL GRIBBLE – Division of Staff and Student Services.

SANDRA GUTHRIE – Faculty of Business and Law.

PAT HANLEY - Division of Teaching and Learning Services.

LEONE HINTON - Division of Teaching and Learning Services.

SUZANNE KING-GEE – Financial Services Division.

JEFFREY LEWIS – Information Technology Division.

JOSEPHINE LUCK – Faculty of Business and Law.

JUDY MACFARLANE – Division of Staff and Student Services.

BRENDAN MURPHY – Faculty of Informatics and Communication.

AMANDA NIELSEN – Division of Student Administration.

BRADLEY NIELSEN – Division of Staff and Student Services.

MANDIE NIELSEN – Division of Student Administration.

FONS NOUWENS – Division of Teaching and Learning Services.

MERLE ROSS – Faculty of Education and Creative Arts.

ERROL VIETH – Faculty of Informatics and Communication.

TERRY WATERS-MARSH – Faculty of Business and Law.

RONDA WHITE - Division of Teaching and Learning Services.

PETER WOLFS – James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems.

BRUCE ZIMMER – Analysis and Planning Unit, Office of the Registrar and Chief Compliance Officer.

PAMELA BROWN – Division of Staff and Students Services, Gladstone Campus.

LYNNE CAMPBELL - Division of Teaching and Learning Services, Gladstone Campus.

DON DAYANANDA – Faculty of Business and Law.

PAUL GRAHAM – Faculty of Arts, Health and Sciences.

SIREN HEBERLEIN – Financial Services Division.

HELEN HUNTLY – Faculty of Education and Creative Arts, Bundaberg Campus.

ROBERT JAMES – Capricornia College.

CHRISTOPHER LEWIS – Division of Facilities Management.

STEVE MULLINS – Faculty of Arts, Health and Sciences.

SUE OAKEY – Gladstone Campus.

DAVID RUXTON – Faculty of Informatics and Communication.

KRIS SNELLING – Division of Library Services, Bundaberg Campus.

ROBERT THOMPSON – Faculty of Education and Creative Arts, Bundaberg Campus.

DIANE TREBBIN – Information Technology Division.

LEONIE MOSEL WILLIAMS – Faculty of Arts, Health and Sciences, Sunshine Coast University.

Photo (from left): Dave Cardnell, Greg Williams and Bruce Acutt were among recipients at the meritorius service awards this week.