University of Queensland students are expected to meet an estimated quarter of a million visitors at the RNA Animal Nursery at the Royal Queensland Show from August 6 to 15 in Brisbane.
Twenty-four students from the University's Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science will staff the 34th annual Animal Nursery.
They are enrolled in either the certificates in animal husbandry, or the associate diploma in applied science (animal production) courses at the University's Gatton College campus.
Students will answer queries, and care for animals including miniature horses, angora doe and kids, alpaca hembre and cria, rabbit doe and kittens, a jennet donkey and foal, chickens, ducks and ducklings, turkey and poults, emu chicks, geese and goslings, colored ewe and lambs, and a sow with piglets.
New attractions this year include a heavy horse mare and foal, a camel cow and calf, a Highland Fold cow and calf and a South African Boer goat doe and kids.
School of Veterinary Science and Animal Production lecturer and Animal Nursery co-ordinator Dr Mark Hohenhaus said students enjoyed working at the Exhibition every year. The experience improved their communication skills and helped them develop the competencies needed in the husbandry of both young and novel animals.
"This year we are concentrating on less common breeds of traditional domestic animals, as well as those from emerging animal industries, which the public may not have yet had a chance to see first hand," he said.
Students will be supervised by Royal National Association honorary council steward and University animal production graduate Robyn Hohenhaus and 1996 associate diploma in stock and meat inspection graduate George Melano.
The University of Queensland's Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture will combine with the Queensland Sciencentre in the Government Pavilion to showcase teaching, research and interactive displays for children.
Associate lecturer in mining, minerals and materials engineering Andrew Carr said University staff and students would answer visitors' questions about science, engineering and architecture.
"We will be specially targeting primary and secondary schoolchildren, getting kids to ask questions and showing them that science and engineering can be fun as well as rewarding careers," he said.
Science discovery bags contain 12 experiments. One of the most popular is expected to be the science and engineering of a Mars? bar (including a sample to provide food for thought).
Senior lecturer in the Natural and Rural Systems Management Department Bob Hampson is also co-ordinating an Agricultural Pavilion display highlighting the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science. The display on the theme Education Makes the Difference will feature fresh fruit and vegetables donated by Lockyer Valley farmers.
Media: For further information, contact Mr Carr, telephone 07 3365 3643, Dr Hohenhaus, telephone 0754 601 260, or Mr Hampson, telephone 0754 601 095.
