Katherine Campus' success at the recent Katherine Show and Royal Darwin Show and presence at this year's Flying Fox Festival cap off a hectic month.
The Flying Fox Festival kicked off on 10 August, with a host of activities available, including a CDU Katherine Campus stall at the Lambu Lambu presentation - a Music without Humbug event on 16 August.
This alcohol free event incorporated elements of music, dance, film and fun for all ages at the Lindsay Street complex in Katherine. Last year’s event drew over 600 people inside with an unconfirmed outside crowd to match. Many of those attending were from out of town and surrounding communities.
Katherine Campus students and cattle did exceptionally well at Katherine Show and Royal Darwin Show. Tony Jensen, lecturer in beef cattle, was delighted with the success of both the cattle and the students, saving his greatest praise for the students: “The handler and judging classes are a great opportunity for students to be able to showcase their knowledge and skills in activities that are directly related to their fields of study.”
CDU recently supplied 600 cattle for the Mataranka Campdraft, held during the Mataranka Bushman’s Carnival from 5-7 August. Staff and students helped with the running of the Campdraft, with great results.
Brett Krafft won both first and third in the ASHS Open Draft and Maiden Draft, with Sam Tapp winning third in the Novice Draft. The first prize for Team Penning was awarded to CDU students Michelle, Erin and Louise Hansen; Michelle Hansen and Anna Elliot took first prize for Steer Un-decorating; and Steven Douglas won fourth for Juvenile Campdraft.
New learning centre for Katherine Campus
Plans are underway, with drawings being undertaken, to renovate the library and upgrade the facility to become a learning centre. A recent upgrade and installation of additional computers has established a 16 station computer laboratory.
The recent donation of a computer video conferencing facility by the Pro Vice-Chancellor Community and Access, Don Zoellner, will further enhance the learning centre’s options.
Course information
New projects identified by Bronte Cooper, senior field officer, Remote Coordination Unit, will begin at Barunga and Beswick; the certificate’s I and II in General Construction will begin at Timber Creek and Yarralin; and units from the Certificate I General Construction and a skills audit will be delivered at Nhylunbuy/Lanhupuy.
Lecturer in IT preparatory education, Nigel Olliver, continues to deliver information technology classes to the local business community. The photo to the right shows student Fay Opitz from Terrace Tapes, hard at work with Nigel on hand for those critical learning moments.
Staff appointments and news
Katherine Town Centre welcomes two new staff to the regional team.
Neil Williams is lecturing in Certificate IV in Education Support. A long time resident of the Katherine region, Neil was principal of the Barunga School for 14 years. He has students at Jilkminggan, Daly River and Wooliana.
Darren Rouse is lecturing in certificate I, II, and III in Construction. He has been a Katherine resident for over 20 years, other than three years living and working in East Timor and a year or two in Darwin.
Professor John Haynes, head of school, Information Technology, recently visited the Campus, meeting with staff providing IT courses. John has sourced potential new lecturers into the information technology courses for the Katherine Campus. He also met with Flight Sergeant Haynes from RAAF Base Tindal to discuss training needs that CDU can offer to personnel.
Also visiting Katherine was Stephen Barnett, liaison and information literacy coordinator from the Casuarina Campus library. Stephen was able to provide available staff with some on-the-spot practical training in the resources that the library can offer. Discussions were also held regarding how best to meet the resource needs of Katherine Campus lecturers and students.
Peter Burkhard, VET project officer with Academic Quality, Planning and VET, also visited the Campus providing professional development to staff on auditing for quality processes in VET courses offered through the Campus. Peter provided recommendations on how the campus can meet these processes effectively.
Visit the Katherine Campus website.