UQ students help at Royal Queensland Show

UQ students help at Royal Queensland Show

University of Queensland students are preparing to greet a quarter of a million visitors to the RNA Animal Nursery at the Royal Queensland Show from August 5 to 14 in Brisbane.

The Nursery, one of the most popular Show attractions, is a collection of young animals for viewing in one place,

"It has been staffed by University of Queensland Gatton College (formerly known as Queensland Agricultural College ) students since it opened 35 years ago," co-ordinator Dr Mark Hohenhaus said.

Twenty UQ students will staff the 35th annual Animal Nursery as part of their certificate courses in Animal Husbandry and Agriculture at the University's Gatton College campus.

Dr Hohenhaus, a School of Veterinary Science and Animal Production lecturer, said students enjoyed working at the Show. "The experience improves their communication skills and helps develop competence in husbanding young and novel animals," he said.

Animals and their offspring on show will include miniature horses, angora and Boer goats, alpacas, donkeys, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, colored sheep, pigs, heavy horse foals, Highland Fold cattle, emu chicks hatching out of eggs, and colored rats and mice.

Students will be supervised by RNA honorary council steward, University animal production graduate and School of Land and Food seed Robyn Hohenhaus and 1996 associate diploma in stock and meat inspection graduate George Melano.

At the wool pavilion, volunteers will staff the UQ Animal Welfare Stand. This year the University will launch an appeal to support a professorial position in animal welfare. The new position will examine issues relating to domestic, native, production and entertainment animals and provide an independent source of knowledge.

Acting Development Office Manager Saira Champion said animal welfare was everyone's responsibility. "UQ is the State's leader in veterinary teaching and research and we look to the community, government and industry to help us enhance that role," she said.

Bachelor of Applied Science (rural technology) and Bachelor of Applied Science (animal Studies) students will answer questions on pig husbandry at the Expo Pig display.

Bachelor of Applied Science (horticulture) students will staff the Agricultural Hall display for UQ's Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science Faculty, worked in fruit and vegetables donated by Lockyer Valley farmers. Co-ordinator Bob Hampson said final details of the Careers display were "top secret" but a yellow brick road could feature.

UQ students will also attend the Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture Faculty's combined display with the Queensland Sciencentre in the Commerce Building. The display includes the University's award-winning SunShark solar vehicle. Visitors can purchase a $6 science bag containing 29 activities, ranging from funny putty and slimy hands to a star clock, dissolving plastics and a millennium bug magnet.

Media: For further information, contact Dr Mark Hohenhaus, telephone 0754 601 260, Saira Champion telephone 07 3221 8495 or Bob Hampson, telephone 0754 601 095.