CQUni Appeal 2025
An AI generated track inspired by CQUniversity staffer Trent Jones which encompasses the mission and emotions of the CQUniCares Appeal in 2025.
Jun 26, 2025•3 min
CQUniversity Podcast - Greatvine
If you’ve ever wondered what makes people tick, what inspires them, and how they’ve become the people they are today, then you’re going to love the Greatvine. CQUniversity’s Greatvine is a podcast series that chats with some of the University’s interesting characters: from professors and lecturers, to support staff and students.
We dig and get the dirt on why people do what they do; what events changed their lives; how their work is making a difference; what inspires them; and what quirky hobbies or habits they might not want the world to know about. And you’ll hear it all, right here on the Greatvine.
CQUniversity is Australia’s largest regional university with campuses and study centres across the country. It prides itself on being one of the most engaged universities in Australia, while its research agenda is centred around providing real impact to our global communities.
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Episodes
CQUniversity Commentary - Trailer
CQUniversity has launched its latest podcast series CQUniversity Commentary. This podcast series brings you CQUni experts in research, work and study, dissecting the issues and current affairs that affect you, your family and your community. CQUniversity has dedicated the first season of CQUniversity Commentary to focus on conversations about the emerging issues from COVID-19. To listen to this podcast series head to Podbean https://cquniversitycommentary.podbean.com/, or find us on Apple Podcas...
May 04, 2020•35 sec
Science education matters: Linda Pfeiffer, S5E6
She says her whole life has been about science education, in one way or another, and now CQUni’s Dr Linda Pfeiffer’s legacy in developing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education in regional Queensland has landed her as a semi-finalist in the Queensland Community Awards. Linda shares about what some see as a ‘glorified classroom’ known as STEM Central (which she helped design and now heads up) has become an amazing state-of-the-art facility in her hometown of Gladstone, ...
Dec 06, 2019•26 min
Driving creative social change: Lara Carton, S5E5
She received a surprise round of tea-room cheers on her first day on campus, was suddenly in bagpipe-induced tears at her first graduation – and for Associate Vice-Chancellor (Victoria) Lara Carton, leading CQUniversity Melbourne has remained a rollercoaster. Lara shares the logistical nightmares of moving a whole campus, how the student cohort has quadrupled in Melbourne, and why you can always expect incredible catering on her campus. A busy mum to twins and a passionate home cook, Lara explai...
Nov 28, 2019•26 min
Making the most of student life: Rhianna Wood, S5E4
Rhianna Wood is a dedicated nursing student with a heart for making a difference in the lives of others. As a child, she never dreamed that she would grow up to be a nurse, but always had a passion to help those around her. This passion led her to The Philippines on a mission and she has continued to help others in her community and afar. As well as being a second-year undergraduate student, the 19-years-old juggles a list of other roles at CQUni with her studies, including chair of the Student ...
Nov 14, 2019•26 min
High stakes in education: Chris Veraa, S5E3
Chris Veraa once worked as a barista at McCafe, before he ever drank a coffee, and later became a rural reporter, despite having little farming experience, and now is CQUni’s Director of Student Experience – and in case you’re wondering, yes, this time he’s got loads of experience. As a high school student who excelled at English, Chris decided to study journalism and marketing at university before embarking on a career as a journalist. Later, a working holiday in the UK allowed him to try the a...
Nov 04, 2019•34 min
Gambling, crocodiles and homelessness: Nancy Greer, S5E2
With more than a decade of research experience, Nancy Greer has faced crocs at Rockhampton’s reptile farm (for an award-winning study about how excitement impacts gaming habits), tackled gambling studies in Bundaberg, moved to Brisbane and then into the heart of Melbourne to understand the huge and heartbreaking issues around homelessness. Now, her PhD subject has put her in the middle of the high-voltage world of esports, betting and skin gambling – where online gamers bet with money or video g...
Oct 29, 2019•28 min
One-stop-shop for jobs: Peter Heilbuth, S5E1
From sacked sandwich maker to VET education innovator, Peter Heilbuth shares some of his early vocational fails and how an opportunity to teach at TAFE led to a rewarding career in the vocational education sector. Today, Peter is CQUniversity's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for VET Operations and Growth heading up the VET operations of Queensland's first fully comprehensive university. He reflects on some of his more interesting occupations - Sydney Opera House usher and magazine journalist - and provides...
Oct 22, 2019•27 min
Beau Moloney : Season 4, Episode 10
This week on the Greatvine we chat with Bachelor of Digital Media student Beau Moloney. Beau shares about how a horrific car crash changed his life forever, forcing him to reevaluate his career ambitions and eventually leading him to his love of the arts, videography and animation. He talks about how he overcame many hurdles to study at CQUni and about the support he received from the University and a CQUniCares scholarship. Looking to the future, Beau discusses his future job prospects and how ...
Sep 10, 2019•21 min
Joanne Perry : Season 4, Episode 9
This week on the Greatvine we chat with CQUni’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Experience and Governance Joanne Perry. Joanne shares the many changes she’s been a part of at CQUni over the years and tells us there are some things that haven't changed – the Uni’s commitment to students and communities. Growing up in Mackay, just down the road from where the Ooralea campus stands today, Joanne talks about a carefree childhood, later studying hospitality at TAFE after completing high school. A move...
Sep 10, 2019•23 min
Charlie Jensen : Season 4, Episode 8
This week on the Greatvine we chat with CQUni's hospitality teacher Charlie Jensen. Charlie shares how a smile can make all the difference to finding success in the hospitality profession. Her positivity and bubbly personality is something that always shines through as a teacher, but she’s modest about having her hard work recognised with a Queensland Training Award in 2018. She also shares the challenges and rewards of her work with Central Queensland’s disengaged youth through her involvement ...
Sep 04, 2019•25 min
Corneel Vandelanotte : Season 4, Episode 7
This week on the Greatvine we chat with Professor Corneel Vandelanotte. Corneel shares about his childhood growing up in in a small village within Flanders, the northern portion of Belgium, surrounded by farms lands, animals and lots of places to get dirty. We learn that his mother encouraged him to start Judo, which formed part of the reason why he studied physical education at Ghent University. And while his research realises new ways in which others can become more physically active, Corneel ...
Aug 27, 2019•35 min
Celeste Lawson : Season 4, Episode 6
Growing up in Bargara, regional Queensland, Associate Professor Celeste Lawson lived a carefree childhood, where she did what she loved and what she found interesting. In this podcast, we learn she unconsciously followed in her father’s journalistic footsteps, but soon realised that it wasn’t for her. She shares that her desire to help people led her to become a Rockhampton-based police officer and then an employee of the Corruption and Crime Commission in Western Australia, before her career lo...
Aug 21, 2019•32 min
Simon Robson : Season 4, Episode 5
Science isn’t just a profession, but even more so a passion for CQUniversity Adjunct Professor Simon Robson. And as the country celebrates National Science Week, we chat with the CQUni scientist that made huge news earlier in the year when he, along with a research team, rediscovered the world’s largest bee! We hear about why the news was so big and if the rediscovery continues to generate media buzz. We also delve into Prof Robson’s love for biology and learn about how ants are contributing to ...
Aug 14, 2019•21 min
Nathan English : Season 4, Episode 4
This week on the Greatvine we chat with CQUni's Senior Lecturer and Head of Course for Environmental Science Dr Nathan English. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Nathan now lives and works in Townsville, North Queensland. We learn that Nathan grew up in a very ‘non-traditional family’ and delve deep into his passion for the environment, in particular, the natural sciences. We also discover that Nathan loves geology and we learn about the buzz he gets from discovering new things – especially if i...
Aug 06, 2019•32 min
Priscilla Crighton : Season 4, Episode 3
This week we chat with CQUni's Publications and New Media Officer, and Be mag editor, Priscilla Crighton. With preparation underway for the 30th edition of Be Magazine, we hear from the lady behind the publication about its creation and some of the most memorable front cover stories. We learn that Priscilla’s love of writing started in high school, where she dabbled in poetry and public speaking, and has since led her to work at CQUni, where she has spent the last 17 years of her career. Priscil...
Jul 30, 2019•26 min
Adrian Miller : Season 4, Episode 2
This week on The Greatvine we hear from CQUni's Pro Vice-Chancellor of Indigenous Engagement and BHP Chair in Indigenous Engagement, Professor Adrian Miller. A proud North Queenslander and even more proud of his Indigenous heritage and culture, we hear how Adrian has a real passion for education and its transformative effect. We learn that Adrian, like everyone, sometimes needs a little distraction from the day-to-day world and his way to take his mind off it is to hit the road on a Harley and w...
Jul 22, 2019•31 min
Melinda Mann : Season 4, Episode 1
This week, in conjunction with NAIDOC Week, we chat with CQUni's Deputy Director for Student Life and Wellbeing and proud Indigenous woman Melinda Mann. Melinda shares about her childhood growing up in small rural and regional areas, surrounded by her Indigenous family and friends, where fishing, hunting and camping were some of her favourite pastimes. We learn that her childhood was a rich cultural experience which nurtured a love of learning and education. We hear how her Auntie Mabel Edmund b...
Jul 05, 2019•35 min
Alistair Melzer : Season 3, Episode 10
This week on the Greatvine we chat with CQUni's koala researcher Dr Alistair Melzer. While he grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, and initially studied at the University of Queensland, we hear that Alistair was destined to work in Central Queensland. And while his research spans a variety of environmental management fields, for the past 20 years he has been dedicated to the research of Australia's iconic native animal, the koala. We learn that a stint as a research diver on the Great Ba...
Jun 24, 2019•34 min
Francois Gallais : Season 3, Episode 9
This week on the Greatvine we chat with CQUniversity's Deputy Director of Development and Alumni Relations Francois Gallais. His first ambition was to be a professional soccer player, but once he discovered his skill set didn't match his passion, a young Francois quickly turned his attention to another love ... cheese. In this week's podcast, we hear how Francois' early years growing up in France involved a robust school life with a mix of soccer and tennis, which eventually led him to business ...
Jun 18, 2019•26 min
Nick Klomp : Season 3, Episode 8
This week on the Greatvine we chat with CQUni's Vice-Chancellor Nick Klomp. He has been in the top job now for four months and has just completed his inaugural tour of CQUni's many locations, so it is timely to hear about his first impressions of CQUni. We also discover how his career has progressed over the years and about his drive to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. We learn about his fascination with the science of teaching and his research interests in seabirds...
Jun 10, 2019•36 min
Bronte and Elliot Wills : Season 3, Episode 7
This week on the Greatvine we chat with CQUni Education students and siblings Bronte and Elliot Wills. The fun-loving sister and brother duo talk about their different experiences leaving western Queensland to study in Rockhampton and the reasons behind both deciding to become teachers, despite their father's best efforts to make at least one of them an engineer. Sorry Dad! While their sibling rivalry is truly evident, they also share with us how they've been supportive of each other through the...
May 30, 2019•28 min
Karen Crone : Season 3, Episode 6
This week on The Greatvine we chat with CQUni's Head of Acting Karen Crone. We hear how Karen was destined for the theatre having grown up on stage, in everything from neighbourhood performances to eisteddfods and school musicals. We learn that Karen has performed alongside some of Australia's best, including her friend Jackie Weaver, and has even performed for the Queen. She is passionate about storytelling and believes that Australian talent can be found anywhere, not just in the big cities....
May 27, 2019•37 min
Gary Kaddatz : Season 3, Episode 5
This week on the Greatvine we chat with remedial massage teacher Gary Kaddatz. Gary shares about his career jump from meatworker to massage therapist and now teacher. We learn that the meat industry was much more of a grounding for his current career than many may think, plus he tells us about growing up in a family where alternative pain therapies, such as chiropractic and massage, were commonplace.
May 21, 2019•22 min
Jodie Duignan-George : Season 3, Episode 4
This week on the Greatvine podcast we chat with Associate Vice-Chancellor Jodie Duignan-George. We hear about her challenges growing up, facing bullies and becoming a parent at a young age. We learn how a Bachelor of Arts began her progression to become a 'jack of all trades' which led to a Master in Social Sciences and eventually management roles in the university sector. Jodie tells us about the power of mentorship and her philosophy about 'riding life'. We hear how from an early age she learn...
May 07, 2019•34 min
Jacobus Vorster : Season 3, Episode 3
In this episode of the Greatvine we chat with Jacobus Vorster an expert in millennial behaviours and work experiences. We hear how Jacobus has had a diverse career which has helped construct some interesting insight into employment, especially for millennials. We learn about his childhood in South Africa where warthogs roamed freely through backyards and a young Jacobus was affectionately called a 'little lion'. We hear how after completing high school he joined the military, became a military i...
Apr 29, 2019•47 min
Sue Smith : Season 3, Episode 2
This week on the Greatvine we chat with CQUni's Art Collection Manager Sue Smith. We hear how Sue was destined for life in the arts. We learn how she was once a librarian, an art critic, historian and art museum director, and she even spent time working in London, rubbing shoulders with artists from the world's most influential arts scene. We learn about the resurgence of the Brisbane arts scene in the 80s and how a job managing the Rockhampton Art Gallery would see Sue make a home in the CQ reg...
Apr 11, 2019•37 min
Marti Harris : Season 3, Episode 1
In this Episode of the Greatvine we chat with CQUni chiropractic lecturer Dr Marti Harris. We hear how his interest in chiropractic science began after he suffered an injury as a teenager and discovered that massage and manipulation could provide much relief. We learn that his career in massage and chiropractic led to an interesting life both in the corporate world and in giving back to disadvantaged communities overseas. He also shares with us some of the big-name celebrities he had the opportu...
Apr 08, 2019•49 min
Greatvine Special Edition: CQUniCares
With this week marking the final week of the 2018 CQUniCares Annual Appeal, here is a special edition of CQUniversity’s Greatvine where we learn more about CQUniCares and the positive impact it is having on our students' lives. Today's panel of guests include Deputy Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Francois Gallais; Engineering student and CQUniCares Downer Scholarship recipient Charmaine Dig-O; and Science student, Marie Sell, who is a recipient of a CQUniCares Appeal Scholarship. ...
Nov 04, 2018•22 min
Bruce McKenzie : Season 2, Episode 10
In this week’s Greatvine, we hear from Bruce McKenzie, an ICT lecturer and coordinator at CQUni Melbourne, whose pathway to teaching included time in a chicken suit, vital beach fishing know-how, and pursuit of the rock and roll dream. A passionate programmer since the mid-1980s, Bruce has been passing on his expertise for the past 20 years, bringing humour and practical advice to all his lectures. He’s also in his second year of a Doctor of Education, looking at teaching coding into primary sch...
Aug 03, 2018•24 min
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