CQU Sydney International Campus played host to staff, students and academics as a part of the Melbourne Cup festivities recently.

Not to be outdone by the Melbournian fashion scene, CQU Sydney put on a fashion show of its own and displayed its finest selection of hats. The award for the Hat Parade went to Naomi Churton from the Undergraduate Finance Department.

To help those professional, first time, or just lucky punters, there were plenty of snacks and soft drinks to go around served on the level 4 balcony against a backdrop of beautiful Sydney weather.

As the race was about to begin, staff and students gathered around to grab their positions to get the best possible view, hoping to win it big in the CQU Sydney sweeps.

Once the race began there was a frenzy of hand waving, (horse) name calling and a few prayers.

Eventually there can only be one winner on the track, but there were many at campus.

Congratulations to those who won the sweeps on the day, particularly from the Sales, Student Administration and Finance departments.

Photos: Winner of the hat competition, staff member Naomi Churton (left), with other staff members Warood Al-Zaidi and Vikas Dhawan... students enjoying refreshments.