CQU's Community Program is supporting Rockhampton's High School Newsreader of the Year competition.

Winners of heat 1 recently were Morgan Graham and Ryan Rostron from Rockhampton Grammar School (pictured right). Other entrants on the night were (below from left) Tinita Wilson (Biloela High), Amy McQuire (Heights College) and Chris Davies (Biloela High).

The following two heats (to run over the next two Thursdays from 4pm at City Centre Plaza) will showcase students from Gladstone State High, Girls Grammar school, Cathedral College, Yeppoon State High, Emerald State High and St Ursula’s College in Yeppoon.

The competition is being broadcast live to air on 98.5 FM Radio 4YOU.

High School Newsreader of the Year is supported by CQU, Radio 4YOU, Channel 7, CQ Net, Compusound, The Morning Bulletin, McDonalds and City Centre Plaza.

“This is an outstanding community event giving secondary schools the opportunity to proudly display their educational standards by encouraging senior students to showcase their ability and talent," Coordinator Glenys Kirkwood said.

"Students have the opportunity to proudly represent their school and to learn, grow and deal with challenging new situations as they compete for the prestigious title of Central Queensland High School Newsreader of the Year for 2005.

"The businesses supporting this event are to be commended for their contribution to and support of, the young people of Central Queensland,” she said.

There is a new look to the competition this year with regional schools being invited to participate for the first time, a new venue at City Centre Plaza and prestigious trophies on offer for schools and participants, along with great prizes.

Each student participating in the event will receive two months' free internet access from CQ Net and vouchers from McDonalds, while each school entering students in the competition will receive a $100 book voucher from CQU Press Outback Books.

The eventual winners, one male and one female, will be determined at the final from 4pm on Thursday October 27. They will receive:.

 12 months' free internet access, unlimited hours and unlimited downloads from CQ Net at K Mart Plaza, valued at around $500 each.

 the opportunity to pre-record a news segment to be aired on the 10am news on Radio 4YOU.

 the opportunity to become a journalist for the day by writing an article for publication in 'The Morning Bulletin'.

 their own individual winning trophy donated by Radio 4YOU.

 Vouchers from McDonalds.

Each winning school will receive:.

 A DVD burner from Compusound at K Mart Plaza.

Each school will receive a Perpetual Shield, donated by Radio 4YOU, engraved with the winners' names (for display over the 12 months between competition).