An archaeology tour of South Sea Islander cultural sites on Wednesday March 31 is to be the first major event for CQU Foundation in 2004.

The Foundation, part of the Division of University Relations, is excited to have Trudy White, local archaeologist, leading the tour through significant Australian South Sea Island sites beginning at the ‘Kanaka Town’ area in Rockhampton and down through various sites around Yeppoon, and then Farnborough where the original Yeppoon Sugar Company was situated. The tour group will have morning tea at Farnborough Beach.

Other plantations, home sites and gravesites along the way will be visited before arriving at Joskeleigh.

At Joskeleigh, lunch will be a traditional South Sea Island lap-lap, with food cooked in banana fronds. It will be included with other traditional foods for a sumptuous Island style feast. The Museum at Joskeleigh, the Bow and Arrow tree, Bongs Corner, the Gospel Hall and much more will be shown along the way.

As well as being informed of the archaeological significance of the sites, the Foundation will have local South Sea Island people on board the bus, to tell tales of their early days in this region where, in the main, their forebears were ‘blackbirded’ into service.

The buses will leave Northside Plaza at 9am and return there between 3.30pm and 4pm.

Bookings for this trip are essential. Morning tea and lunch along with a souvenir booklet, are included in the per head cost of $35. Bookings can be made by phoning Reegan on 49 232 735 or by visiting the Discover CQU shopfront in East Street between the Commonwealth Bank and the former Post Office.

Tickets must be booked and pre-paid prior to March 25. Interest is very high and seats are limited, so book early.

The Foundation has been very involved with the new Discover CQU shopfront and encourages visitors to call in and have a look around. Both editions of Down Memory Lane will be available for sale and any other information you may need, about anything to do with CQU, can be found. Down Memory Lane Book III is in the process of being put together and it is still not too late to include your story. Please contact Reegan on 49 232 735 if you have a story to tell.

The Foundation has some exciting events planned for 2004, among them another visit to Shoalwater Bay Military Training area and we will have more detail later. It would be wise to register your interest in this trip on 49 232 735, as the limited places always sell very quickly.

Details are available from Glenys Kirkwood, Co-ordinator, CQU Foundation, Division of University Relations.