Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) students really are learning with the best in the business.

Their acting lecturer Mr Peter Ross is back on campus after recently receiving news that he will be the resident director for the Australian production of the 'Boy From Oz', which stars Aussie heart throb, Hugh Jackman.

Peter is thrilled with his appointment to the role of Resident Director for the famous Broadway show and this next project continues a busy 12 months for him.

Peter was the Assistant Director for the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony which he commenced rehearsals for from December last year.

He was also the Associate Director for ‘End of the Rainbow’, which stars Caroline O’Connor and is headed for the Edinburgh Festival in July, as well as fulfilling his commitments as a lecturer at the CQCM Mackay. Perhaps the “biggest production of all of these” however, said Peter, is the arrival of he and his partner’s first baby soon.

'The Boy From Oz' will see Peter touring the country with an all-star cast including Chrissy Amphlett, co-creator of the Divinyls, seventies pop legend Colleen Hewett and award winning Angela Toohey who played Liza Minnelli in the original production of 'The Boy From Oz'. The show kicks off in Sydney in August and continues on to Melbourne, Adelaide and in September, to Brisbane.

Peter is looking forward to “creating a great show that appeals to the audience” he said. “It’s always special to be part of a show like this. It’s an Australian musical about an Australian singer and we’re working with some great Australian talent,” said Peter.

But for this week, Peter is on campus completing an intensive week of assessment for all CQCM Mackay acting students.

Sub-Dean of the CQCM Judith Brown is pleased that industry professionals such as Peter Ross take time out from their busy professional lives to work with the CQCM Mackay students.

“The CQCM works hard to arrange visits from industry professionals as they really enhance the learning opportunities of our students and give them invaluable insights,” she said.

Peter’s commitments at the Con will continue despite his busy touring for the rest of the year and he is already negotiating a time to return to the Con for more intensive classes with the students.

Photo Above: Peter Ross continues a brilliant career in theatre while finding time to pass on the tricks of the trade to students at Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) Mackay.