As President of the Rockhampton Eisteddfod Association, Associate Professor Les Killion has been putting into practice the approaches to event management that he teaches in the course TOUR 19021 'Events, Leisure and Entertainment'.

The 2006 Rockhampton Eisteddfod drew approximately 8000 competitors from throughout Central Queensland, Northern New South Wales, Innisfail, Mackay and Emerald.

Competitors performed in vocal, dance, instrumental and speech and drama sections in what has become one of Queensland's major cultural events, running for 5 weeks and involving five adjudicators - all of which has put to the test the theories and concepts of staging, managing and marketing a major event.

Dr Killion made a point this year of involving his Events students as volunteers throughout the Eisteddfod, especially in the roles of secretaries to the adjudicators, and as session conductors and backstage crew.

A feature of this year's Gala Concert, held on June 4, was the presence of the University's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor John Rickard and Mrs Veronica Rickard.

Photo: Associate Professor Les Killion discusses plans for the 2007 Rockhampton Eisteddfod with his daughter, CQU academic Dr Emma Killion, who also coordinates the Dance Section of the annual event.