Nursing is one of several courses being recognised in a scholarship initiative aimed at driving the future skills capacity and growth of the Mackay and the Whitsundays region.

Each year the Hail Creek Mine CQUniversity Partnership Program offers scholarships worth $4000 each to first-year nursing, business, science, IT, or engineering students.

This year, six students are benefiting from a combined scholarship pool worth $24,000.

Hail Creek Scholarship recipients - front row - Brittany Power, Markeen Valdez, Amanda Bovero, Backrow - Andrew Woodley (Hail Creek Mine General Manager),Mitchell Saxby, Philippa Cary, Brady Giannangelo and Head of Campus Dr Pierre Viljoen

CQUniversity's Dr Pierre Vilojen, who is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement) and Head of Mackay Campus, said the University is pleased to work with Hail Creek Mine to provide unique skills and career development opportunities that will result in benefits for all people in the Mackay and the Whitsundays region.

"Our partnership with Hail Creek Mine is a driver of local growth and prosperity and has the potential to act as a catalyst for regional development," Dr Vilojen said.

"At the end of the day, it's important that we invest in our local young people to ensure a strong and sustainable future for everyone living and working in Central Queensland.

"The scholarships not only reward and recognise students who perform well in their studies but it also adds to our goal of providing an excellent student learning experience."

Hail Creek Mine General Manager Operations Andrew Woodley said the scholarships are just one component of the program, which has already benefited hundreds of students.

"Working in partnership with CQUniversity, we aim to support our young people in their chosen fields and provide opportunities to pursue their career locally," Mr Woodley said.

"We open these scholarships up to a variety of disciplines so that we can continue building the skills capacity of the entire region to help ensure it remains a sustainable and attractive place to work, live, and play, even after mining ceases."

Mr Woodley said the six recipients of the scholarships also have the opportunity to undertake work experience and/or be assigned a professional in their field of study as a mentor.

"The scholarships help the University develop a learning environment for young people that is responsive to their needs, and provides links with industry and businesses," he said.

"The experiences that they can gain through the scholarships will be a great advantage when they pursue employment after university."

The six winners of the scholarships are:

• Markeen Valdez - Bachelor of Information Technology
• Brady Giannangelo - Bachelor of Engineering
• Mitchell Saxby - Bachelor of Science
• Philippa Cary - Bachelor of Business
• Amanda Bovero - Bachelor of Nursing
• Brittany Power - Bachelor of Nursing

Anyone interested in establishing a new scholarship can contact CQUniversity's Donor Prize and Scholarship Coordinator  Melissa Misztal on 07 4923 2786 or m.misztal@cqu.edu.au . 

Ms Misztal said donors were starting to see the significant impact that prizes and scholarships have on students and their experience at CQUniversity. She said these awards have a ‘transformative benefit', not only to students but also to the community.

"By making University more accessible and alleviating financial pressures, scholarships and prizes increase participation in higher education and therefore assist in regional development, as we are putting more skilled professionals back into our local community," Ms Misztal said.