Being one of Australia’s top 500 students Belinda Smith (pictured jumping for joy) could have chosen any university. But Bundaberg’s local university was her first choice.

Belinda Smith is one of only two Bundaberg students to receive the federal government’s Australian Student Prize for 2002. A total of 99 students from all over Queensland were nominated by the Queensland Education Minister.

Ms Smith, a first year student in the Bachelor of Learning Management program, is now looking forward to spending her $2000 prize money.

CQU Bundaberg’s reputation was the number one reason why Belinda chose to stay at home and study locally to complete her tertiary eduction.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher and heard from different people that the learning management degree at CQU was highly rated and being close to home that was another good reason for not leaving Bundaberg.

“I also heard that students get to know their tutors and lecturers and develop friendships whereas my friends at larger universities say that does not happen in the city.

Her love for her hometown has set her sights on a regional teaching career.

“At this stage I want to stay in the region, I have no desire to leave for the city and further along would like to be involved with the development of education curriculum and maybe even policy.