December, the month of reflection and fun. So many amazing things happened throughout 2019 and this is our chance to reminisce about some of those memories. From academic success to sporting victories, and social innovation triumphs, CQUni has accomplished many outstanding things in 2019.
As we comb through all the success, awards, achievements and events from 2019, we have narrowed it down to 18 highlights. Join us in celebrating a month of memories from the year that was 2019, before you look ahead to the one that soon will be…
1. Three Gold medals in a row
Our starting memory is our Touch Football team who brought home the Gold at the 2019 UniSport Division 1 Nationals for the third year in a row! Congratulations team, can we make it four in 2020? 🏅😀 🏈
2. Orientations
In 2019, 27 orientations were organised by our Corporate Events and Graduations team. CQUniversity welcomed 1000’s of new students to campuses across Australia. ❤️ 😀 🌏
3. Chancellor’s Cup
Hosted annually since 2008 by the Student Representative Council, the Chancellor’s Cup continues to be a popular event. Over 120 students from across our footprint descended on Rockhampton North campus in August to participate in Basketball, Touch Football and Soccer. It was an epic experience that students enjoyed thoroughly. 🏀🏈⚽️
4. Festival of Change
Social Innovation flourished this year. In August 2019, the Social Innovation team ran an amazing event at many CQUni campuses called the Festival of Change. The Festival provided an opportunity to understand current social challenges and highlighted the actions we could all start performing immediately in order to change the society we live in today. 💡 ❤️ 🌏
5. Student Leadership Conference
Another highlight of 2019 was the Student Leadership Conference. Future student leaders came together on the Rockhampton campus and shared their stories. Students were inspired and encouraged to be the change in the world they wished to see. 🙏 💕 💡
6. Global Voices
This year, the Global Voices Scholarship allowed Melissa Speed to travel to Geneva, Switzerland for the 72nd session of the World Health Organisation’s World Health Assembly (WHA). Another CQUni student, Renee Cremer, also travelled in May with Global Voices. Ms Cremer was selected among six scholars representing Australia at the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum in Paris. ✈️ 🙏 🌎
7. International Student Leadership Forum
At the International Student Leadership Forum, several of our students had the opportunity to meet a variety of like-minded students, develop networks with parliamentary members, and gain extensive knowledge on global talent, global skills, and the global workforce. 💡 🌏 👏
8. Social Innovation Gladstone Workshop
A multidisciplinary group of students, from across the University’s footprint, converged on the Gladstone Marina campus for an immersive three-day Social Innovation workshop centred around the statement ‘How might we explore and develop a concept for the future needs of a youth homeless shelter?’ The workshop included a range of activities that helped students to build their capacity in several key areas including leadership, problem-solving, empathy and teamwork. 💕 🤗 🌏
9. R U Ok? Day
R U OK? Day was a big hit in September. Students and staff took some time out for R U OK? Day events across the nation. It was a great reminder to check in with people around us every day. Puppies, cupcakes, massages, live music and friends really brought the University together. 🙏💕🤗
10. OMG Week
OMG WEEK was held from in Week 3 in Term 1 and 2! The multi-campus and online event showcased essential university services to new and existing students. 🙏👏🤗
11. CQU Creates
The CQU Creates Art Awards celebrated its 6th anniversary this year with a record number of 68 entries. The exhibition welcomed art lovers from across the region, showcasing student and staff talent. 🎨🖼️🏆
12. Student Awards
Our student awards night was a tremendous event this year with 250 of our students receiving praise for their outstanding accomplishments, dedication and success. 🏆👏 🎉
13. Ashoka U
In February, students and staff from CQUniversity were invited to attend the Ashoka U Exchange in San Diego, California. The event brought together Changemaker Campuses from all over the world and provided the opportunity to learn, collaborate and network with people passionate about social innovation. Four of our Change Champs were among the students who represented CQUniversity at the conference and were excited to bring their new-found knowledge and experience back to their campus and share it with fellow students. Read more about Ashoka U and our Change Champs here. ✈️🙏🌎
14. UniSport Div. 2
In sporting news, UniSport Division 2 saw a record number of CQUni participants attend the games in Gold Coast. Our Football men played extremely well, taking home the Silver Medal. Our other teams, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, Mixed Touch Football, Mixed Netball and Women’s Futsal all competed well coming out with a few wins. 💪😀🏀
15. From Fiji to Rockhampton
Student Success was tremendous in 2019. CQUni student Shivaali Vanshika, born and brought up in Rakiraki, Fiji, was awarded the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship to study a Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) at CQUniversity. This was an outstanding opportunity that allowed Shivaali to grow personally and professionally. Read more about Shivalli here. 💡❤️🌏
16. Campus Life
Our CQUniversity campuses embraced student life in 2019! From juice bikes, pizza and live music, end of term parties, pancake days & breakfast week, online events, to Zumba and Yoga, each Campus Life Committee has allowed students to engage with their campus and experience the fun being a student offers. 🥞🍎🎸
17. Graduations
A massive highlight was our 17 GRADUATIONS! Congratulations to all our graduates who celebrated across Australia! 🎉👏🎓
18. YOU!
The ultimate highlight of 2019 is YOU! Having you with us as a CQUni Student was the best thing this year. Without you, there would be nothing to share. Being a CQUni student means the world, the memories you create here will last longer than a month, they will last a lifetime.
Thank you for reading our blogs, our Facebook and Instagram posts and our Student Broadcast newsletter. You’re still here working through your studies. You made it through 2019 and we’re so proud of you.
See you in 2020 for another year full of possibilities.
