More than 30,000 people are expected to converge on the Rockhampton Campus of Central Queensland University (CQU) to attend the Community Event of the Year: the 10th annual Central Queensland Multicultural Fair and CQU Open Day, on Sunday 11 August 2002.

Central Queensland's foremost single-day event, produced by Central Queensland University (CQU) and ABC Capricornia with support from The Morning Bulletin, represents more than 30 cultures and will feature plenty of new attractions along with traditional favourites.

The festival, held the second Sunday in August, has a nationally recognized reputation for serving up wonderful foods, dance, music and diverse cultural performances.

This year, the Year of the Outback, organizers will focus on contributions immigrants have made to the settlement and development of rural and regional Australia. There promises to be loads of entertainment including performances by Bananas in Pajamas, jazz-singer Ngaire Klip, and the CQU Conservatorium. Several stages will be available for performances by various cultural groups and individuals. "It's a great family day and community event," according to CQU organizer Gina Yarrow. "Thousands come year after year because they know it's a unique opportunity to celebrate, together, our diversity and showcase our ethnicity and culture," said Yarrow It takes months to coordinate the huge day. "Our CQU staff and students, the talented people at ABC Capricornia, the team at The Morning Bulletin and the community work hard each year to make the Multicultural Fair an outstanding community event," said CQU Vice Chancellor and President Glenice Hancock. "We are indeed fortunate to have such committed partners." Central Queensland University (CQU) and ABC Capricornia were jointly presented with ABC's 2002 Community Event of the Year Award for the Fair.

ABC reporters and personalities, including breakfast presenter David Anderson, are key participants in festivities. ABC Queensland State Director, Chris Wordsworth said the CQ Multicultural Fair underscored ABC Local Radio's long-standing commitment to community involvement, and reflected the diversity of cultures in Australia ABC Capricornia Manager Ross Quinn credits an excellent partnership between the university and the ABC for developing greater tolerance and harmony within the local community. "We are fortunate to have a dynamic and like minded organisation in CQU who have co-hosted the Fair with the ABC in fine style each year," said Quinn.

Regional schoolteachers will be receiving a special invitation to involve their students in curriculum related activities leading up to the Fair. Students in all grades will be able to attend banner-making workshops by artist Penny Smith, or enter poster and essay competitions themed around the different cultures that helped build and continue to develop Queensland. Local media will report on the competitions and prizes will be awarded.

11 August is also great way for anyone in the region to learn more about their community university, Central Queensland University. CQU programs, clubs, faculties, divisions and sports staff will all be on hand for accompanying Open Day activities to explain what happens at university. Features include CQU tours, storytelling (from a range of cultures), static and interactive displays, plus more drama and music performances. Also, Science presentations will occur at various locations around the campus as a preview to National Science Week, which kicks off on 17 August. A full-length colour Morning Bulletin insert, scheduled for publication 8 August, will provide up-to-date information on workshops, performances and other Fair events. Saturday 9 August edition will provide a map and full details of Sunday's schedule of events. For details, please contact CQU Community Relations Office at 07 4923 2550 email g.yarrow@cqu.edu.au