The rain did not dampen the spirit of Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, Federal Minister for Education, Science & Training and Paul Neville, Federal Member for Hinkler when they visited CQU Bundaberg last Monday.

The visitors were at the campus for just over an hour and were joined by Professor Hancock and Professor Jack Wood.

Head of Campus Associate Professor Alex Grady said he believed the visit gave the University an opportunity to showcase the importance of CQU in a regional community like Bundaberg.

“We gave Dr Nelson a quick walk across the campus, partly in the rain, and then he spent the rest of his time talking with members of the Campus Advisory Committee, Faculty Sub-Deans, MATES Coordinators Steve Smith & Alan Bowmaker, campus librarian Kris Snelling, STEPS coordinator Karen Seary, Staff and Student Services Councillor Michele Palu, a few undergraduate students and an Honours student. “Although he was at the end of a very long, intense day he seemed to be interested in us and he seemed to go away with positive reactions to the campus.”.

Photo above: Federal Member for Hinkler, Paul Neville, Federal Minister for Education, Science & Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, CQU VC Professor Hancock and CQU Bundaberg Head of Campus Associate Professor Grady.

Photo left: Allan Bowmaker, Steve Smith and Brendan Nelson chat about the successful MATES program.