CQUni scores interest at Expo hosted by former Origin greats
Published on 02 August, 2012
CQUniversity Nulloo Yumbah representatives Ashley Jamieson and Amanda Johnson recently attended the annual Indigenous Employment & Careers Expo at the Townsville Convention Centre.
The Expos are hosted by Former Origin (football) Greats, known as FOGs. The other FOGs locations this year include Toowoomba, Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. Rockhampton will have its own FOGs event in a couple of weeks.
Ashley Jamieson and Amanda Johnson with Michael Hancock (left) and Steven Price
The Expos were created as a direct result of the FOGs' strong commitment to seeing Indigenous Australians fulfill their potential through bridging the education and employment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Some of the Former Origin Greats in Townsville included Gene Miles (Chairperson of FOGS), Alan Langer, Steve Price, Matty Bowen, Colin Scott, Sam Backo, Michael Hancock and Gary Belcher. This explains why the events are so popular, including the Townsville Expo.
With over 3000 visitors on the day including 15 schools and many community organisations, the Townsville FOGs offered an intensive opportunity to provide information and talk about study options.
Nulloo Yumbah has participated in the FOGs experience for the past three years.
"Our involvement included providing a CQUniversity information booth, networking with schools and community organisations and talking with individuals about study options at CQUniversity," explained Amanda Johnson.
Ashley Jamieson said she thought FOGs was "a great opportunity to talk to high school students about alternative pathways into CQUniversity. I found through talking with students, that many were not aware of what University offers and therefore thought higher education out of their reach".
"We were then able to explain how students can be what they want to be through a range of pathways at CQUniversity and that Nulloo Yumbah was there to assist them".
Professor Fredericks, PVC (Indigenous Engagement) and BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement explained that "the timing of the Townsville Expo was vital as QTAC applications are now open and school leavers still have the chance to make CQUniversity a preference".
Prof Fredericks said "Ashley and Amanda did a great job in representing CQUniversity through the Nulloo Yumbah stall" and being a league fan herself, she will ensure she gets to the Rockhampton FOGs event too.
Amanda Johnson chats with two prospective students at FOGs
FOGs Townsville
The CQUni staff at FOGs Townsville