CQU Emerald Academic Awards are hosted annually to acknowledge the outstanding academic achievements of CQU students as well as thanking the local businesses who generosity sponsor these awards.

Local students receiving Golden Key were also acknowledged at the event.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research) Professor Ronald Davies and Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott made the presentations to the Academic Award and Golden Key recipients.

The highlight of the evening was the launch of Bachelor of Learning Management commencing at Emerald in 2004. Associate Professor Rob Thompson made the formal announcement, on behalf of Dean Jim Meinczakowski, and acknowledged the Faculty of Education and Creative Arts' commitment to delivering the full degree at Emerald over the next three years and to assisting rural communities to fill their teacher demands.

The theme for the Awards evening was ‘Focusing on Tertiary Education on the Central Highlands’.

Representatives from CQU, Emerald Agricultural College and Central Highlands TAFE College were invited to make short presentations outlining the programs and activities their institutions conduct as well as identify future pathway and partnership opportunities.

The aim was to showcase the operations of all three institutions in Emerald and the benefits they are bringing to the Central Highlands region.

Golden Key Recipients included: Anne-Marie Celliers, Janice Moriarty, Carolyn Jacobson, Kelly McKenna, Susan Smith, Trevor Eldridge, Elodie Halligan.

Award recipients from 2002.

Harvey World Travel, Emerald, Prize $200 awarded to a part-time Bachelor of Arts student enrolled at CQU Emerald who, at first attempt, achieves the most improved grade (minimum of credit) from first to second semester. Recipient: Kelly McKenna.

Emerald Shire Council $200 awarded to the Bachelor of Arts student enrolled at Emerald who, at first attempt, achieves the highest combined result in: SOCL 11055 Introduction to Sociology & SOCL 11056 Australian Society. Recipient: Joanne Fenning.

Emerald Office National Marketing Award Prizes to the value of $300 awarded to the undergraduate Business & Law student enrolled at CQU Emerald who, at first attempt, achieves the highest passing grade in the course: MRKT 11029 Marketing. Recipient: Terrance Zielke.

Anne Murray & Co Solicitors Prize $200 awarded to the undergraduate Business and Law student enrolled at Emerald who, at first attempt, achieves the highest passing grade in the course: LAWS 11030 Introductory and Contract Law. Recipient: Raelene Bacon.

Ashby McDonnell Maundrell Prize $250 awarded to the undergraduate Bachelor of Business and Law student enrolled at Emerald who, at the first attempt in the same year, achieves the highest weighted GPA in courses: ACCT 11059 Accounting for Decision Making and AACT 11057 Principles of Accounting. Recipient: Danielle Vine.

BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd, Gregory Joint Venture, Gregory/Crinum Mines – principles of Economics Award $150 awarded to the undergraduate Business and Law student enrolled at Emerald who, at first attempt, achieves the highest passing grade in the course: ECON 11026 Principles of Economics. Recipient: Amanda Wilson.

Rock Building Society Prize $100 awarded to a student enrolled at CQU Emerald, who at the first attempt achieves the most improved grade (minimum of credit or better) from first to second semester. Recipient: Raelene Bacon.

Left: Rob Thompson, Bruce Scott and Janice Moriarty.

Above: Award recipients.