Individual Central Queenslanders are the ones who will ultimately benefit the most from the newly announced Central Queensland Regional Health Partnership, according to Professor Errol Payne, Dean of CQU's Faculty of Arts, Health and Sciences.

"That's because this project brings together a wide range of services for the health care providers who cater for our medical needs. It's our doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. It's the people who take care of us when we need them most. What they learn and experience here will impact each one of us," he said.

Central Queensland University has already donated the use of the Heritage Post Office to the Health Partnership plus an additional $2.25 million to the renovation of the landmark structure. The Partnership believes a significant number of residents will want to take ownership and pride in the project as well and show support for their own healthcare providers.

In so doing, an appeal by the Central Queensland University Foundation will be launched early next year for individuals and businesses who are concerned about the health and well-being of their community and want to contribute to the renovation the Heritage Post Office.

Committed to maintaining a high standard of health care in Central Queensland, the CQU Foundation has set a goal of $750,000. If half of the 150,000 people of Queensland who will benefit from Health Partnership donate just $10.00 each - about the price of a movie ticket - this renovation project could be easily funded.

CQU and its partners are responding to the needs of the region by renewing and replenishing resources that address the needs of our communities in Gladstone, Bundaberg, Mackay, Emerald, Rockhampton and places in between. Financial support from individuals and local businesses will give health professionals the tools they need to better serve all those communities. The long-term benefits are easy to understand: increased recruitment of medical experts and higher-quality service provided to all the communities of Central Queensland. The health sciences are always changing. Our professionals need to renew their skills, review the latest techniques and receive medical updates on research that won't take them away from their patients to capital cities for days or weeks at a time, explained Professor Payne. "Health professionals who serve in Central Queensland are as committed to their professional ideals and are also committed to community and rural health care. They need to feel and see a response from people who want them here and want to keep their services here," said Barbara Ritchie, head of CQU's School of Nursing.