Hair was matted from the rain, backpacks were soaked, and sneakers and thongs squeaked across the shiny wood floor of the CQ Community Sports Centre, Tuesday. But what really mattered to hundreds of students gathered for the CQU Rockhampton Orientation were the words of encouragement, discovery and friendship that poured down on them.

“This magnificent weather will refresh the environment and refresh you, which you will need for the challenges that face you,” Vice Chancellor Glenice Hancock said.

Asking students to “ensure that CQU remains a model for multicultural understanding,” Professor Hancock told the new class about the importance of debate and respecting the viewpoints of people from different nations and cultures. “You will explore and debate issues of the world which are challenging us. You have an opportunity to be mutually supportive ... a model for peaceful and amicable discussion,” explained professor Hancock. CQU students have a unique opportunity to study at a multicultural university with students from over 99 countries.

University staff and representatives of the community, including Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow and the Chief Superintendent of the Queensland Police Service, joined the Vice Chancellor.

“It’s not all beer and skittles at university,” said Mayor Strelow, who welcomed student to the community. “Make sure you take every opportunity offered to you,” she added. Gary McMurtrie, President of the student Association thanked partners, families and friends of students for supporting their decision to attend to uni. The Alumni Association’s Hollie Perren reminded students that uni was not a journey “you make on your own,” telling them about their extended family -- 27-thousand members of the CQU Alumni Association. Feeling all the weight of their dreams and hopes, university Chaplain Matthew Quaife-Ryan told mostly fresh, young faces that an exciting time full of promise was waiting for them. “Throw yourself into this with imagination and enthusiasm... This is your time to grapple with the concerns of the world,” he said.

“Do not see the uni as a degree factory,” he added.

Recognising that CQU Rockhampton is located on the traditional land of the Darumbal people, elder Ethel Speedy also greeted students. “It is good to have you.” Heavy rains forced the “Meet and Greet” session undercover and indoors, according to Orientation Coordinator Peter Kennedy, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the day.