The Queensland Resources Expo (QREX) was launched last week highlighting the extent to which Rockhampton has changed in the past 5 years to become a major service centre for the resources industry.

CQU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard and Executive Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Health Professor Elizabeth Taylor joined with the QREX management committee chair and Rockhampton Mayor Cr Margaret Strelow and Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche to launch the event by donning a hard hat and work boots on Rockhampton’s iconic bull at the roundabout at the city’s southern boundary.

Professor Taylor said the expo would enhance the University’s reputation within the industrial community.

She said potential students often based their choice of university based on their chosen industry’s recognition for that institution.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase what we can do at the university,” she said.

Cr Strelow said QREX would expand Rockhampton’s reputation as a major service centre for the Central Queensland resource industries which has been built upon global strengths in mining, and in particular coal mining, power generation and metals processing.

“The resources expo will reinforce Rockhampton’s position as the major service centre for the southern Bowen Basin and an alternative service centre for plans and operations in the northern Bowen Basin.”.

The expo will include an international conference on ‘Resourcing for the Future’, a gala industry dinner, trade expo, Education and Inspire Centre, industry tours and seminars and workshops.

QREX will be staged in Rockhampton from May 23 to 26, 2007.

Photo above: Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche and Mayor Cr Margaret Strelow install a hard hat on Rockhampton's iconic bull.

Photo left: ... and with General Manager of Rockhampton Tourist & Business Information Tony Cullen and CQU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard.