Former deep-water pearl shell diver Seaman Dan may have started his career as an entertainer late in life but he will still warm the hearts of patrons at this year’s CQ Multicultural Fair and University Open Day.

Seaman will feature on centre stage at the Fair, on Sunday August 8.

Seaman was steeped in the music and culture of the Torres Strait and tropical Australia thanks to long stints as a pearl shell diver and boat skipper in the Coral, Arafura and Timor Seas. However, by age 70, he had never been recorded professionally.

That changed about five years ago, when Seaman teamed up with CQU researcher and music producer Dr Karl Neuenfeldt.

"We started working together on his first CD, 'Follow the Sun', and eventually had enough success to record 'Steady, Steady' and his latest 'Perfect Pearl'," Dr Neuenfeldt said.

"He had always sung maritime songs but we started collaborating on songs as I did more historical research. We decided to write new songs that encapsulated the experiences of many Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal men and women of his generation.".

Seaman Dan will be available to local school groups in the week before the fair. Schools interested in a visit can call Gina Yarrow on 4923 2717 to arrange times.

The CQ Multicultural Fair and University Open Day is presented by CQU and ABC Radio Capricornia with support from The Morning Bulletin.