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In a world first, the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and City University of Seattle have collaborated to develop a bachelors level accounting degree designed around the United Nations Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

The GRI is an international standard for business to report against a range of key indicator protocols under the categories of economic, strategy and profile, product responsibility, society, labour practices and decent work, human rights and the environment. By co-accrediting two new courses developed by CityU of Seattle, to be delivered in the existing USQ Bachelor of Accounting and Sustainable Business (BASB), the program has become the first to comprehensively embed the principles of the GRI within the curriculum. USQ BASB Program Coordinator Dr Geoff Slaughter said while many programs dealing with sustainable business cover the general principles of the GRI, USQ was the first to use the GRI indicator protocols as a basis for curriculum development.

This will give our students a great advantage, as they will have a clear understanding of what the GRI protocols entail and how to report against them,” Dr Slaughter said. The BASB program is accredited by the Australian Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA) Association and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia (ICAA). It is designed to produce graduate accountants equipped for a world where sustainable business, and all its associated reporting requirements, is not only a reality but a priority. To achieve this, unlike normal accounting degrees, there are courses in environmental science, sustainable business, sustainable accounting and finance. The program now also includes two newly co-accredited CityU courses of Corporate Social Responsibility and Fair Labour Practices.”

Associate Dean of the CityU School of Management, Tom Cary said the GRI principles are the future of responsible businesses. We are preparing students to have a thorough, detailed knowledge of its requirements. The partnership between USQ and CityU brings a unique and global perspective on sustainable business for the students.”

Dean of USQ Faculty of Business, Professor Allan Layton, said the relationship USQ has with CityU has the added benefit of including a number of co-accredited courses allowing graduating students of the USQ BASB to also qualify for the award of CityU Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Sustainability.

Students thereby receive two degrees – one from Australia and one from the US – for their four years of study of the USQ BASB, a really terrific outcome for students,” Professor Layton said.

Director of USQ Springfield Campus, Doug Fraser, said the redesign of the program more clearly defined what sustainable business education was about.

About the University of Southern Queensland

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) has forged a reputation as one of Australia’s leading providers of on-campus and distance education programs in Australia. With more than 75 per cent of students studying via distance or online, USQ is at the cutting edge of flexible delivery of resources and technology. From Arts, Business and Education to Sciences, Engineering and Surveying, the University continues to develop programs and courses that reflect the changing needs of society. USQ has three campuses located in Toowoomba, Springfield and on the Fraser Coast and welcomes international students from more than 100 countries each year.

About City University of Seattle

Founded in 1973 in Seattle, Washington, City University of Seattle is a private, not-for-profit university that serves more than 8,000 students worldwide each year, with more than 45,000 alumni worldwide. City University of Seattle’s mission is to change lives for good by offering high quality and relevant in-class and online education options to any person in the world with a desire to learn. The university is comprised of the School of Management, the Gordon Albright School of Education, and the Division of Arts and Sciences. Headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, City University of Seattle offers classes at locations throughout Washington, Canada, Mexico, Slovakia, Greece, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic, and China as well as through its collaborative arrangement with USQ in Australia. www.cityu.edu

Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119

With Bush Verse becoming more and more popular, there were visitors who  travelled many kilometres to attend the Poets Breakfast held at the Highfields Pioneer Village recently. The Breakfast  is part of the annual Crows Nest Community Festival. Guest poet Janine Haig from Eulo/Chinchilla area recited various poems including some from her books “I Hope Yer Sheep Get Flyblown” and “Always Wear Clean Knickers.”

Janine won the Bronze Swagman competition in 2003 with her poem “Not Gone” which she performed at the breakfast. She has recited poetry with ‘Cowboy Poets’, won various overseas trips and recited in U S A in Denver, Colorado and  Elko, Nevada.

Fairholme College Year 10 student Georgia Steele (15) from Bowenville also recited several of Janine’s poems, and well known poet Ron Selby and camp oven cook and poet Ned Winter recited poetry with their usual humour.

Winners of the poetry competition sponsored by Heritage Crows Nest & Highfields Community Branches were:-

Senior Poet:- Sam Greer,

Junior Poet – Alex Duff

and

People’s Choice Award –

Val Eldridge.

The recipients of funds raised at this year’s breakfast are the Highfields Scouts/Guides and the Highfields Pioneer Village.

Heritage Crows Nest & Highfields Community Branches is a joint venture between Progressive Community Crows Nest Ltd (PCCN) and Heritage Building Society. Under the Heritage community banking model, profits are distributed to community organisations, charities and special community events. 50% of branch profits are put back into the local community.

Submitted by Jenny Gersekowski

The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation & the Hear & Say Centre will be the beneficiaries from a Melbourne Cup luncheon hosted by members of the Toowoomba West Lions Club & Quota International Toowoomba on Tuesday 2nd November 2010 at Angelo’s House in Herries Street, Toowoomba.

A sumptuous luncheon that will feature champagne and savouries on arrival at 11.00am, a main course and desert plus coffee & tea with handmade chocolates, all provided for guests at just $55 ticket that also includes a ticket in the major multi-draw raffle and the chance to win the Angelo’s House $100 dinner voucher lucky door prize.

Coomera Houseboat Holidays on the Gold Coast have donated a houseboat holiday for the charity auction plus there will be accommodation packages at Coolum Caprice on the Sunshine Coast & Dayboro Cottages to be won & lots more prizes in the multi draw raffle. The usual Melbourne Cup sweeps will be conducted plus there will be a fashion parade from Bramptons and prizes for the Best Dressed.

For table bookings and more information contact Angelo’s House on 4659 9200.

The Toowoomba Hospice is a six bed facility which offers respite and palliative care for the terminally ill.  As part of our ongoing fundraising efforts, the Toowoomba Hospice is holding its ‘‘Trash Ya Hair for Hospice Care!’ this month. ‘Trash Ya Hair for Hospice Care!’ week is aimed at raising the awareness and profile of the Toowoomba Hospice in our local community.

Each participating organisation selects a day during the ‘Trash Ya Hair for Hospice Care!’ month in which participants are encouraged to make a donation to the Hospice by colouring, moussing, gelling or shaving their hair. All monies raised on the day are donated to the Toowoomba Hospice with Prizes for Most money raised by:

* An individual

* A business

* A club or community group*

* A school*

*To make it fair monies raised will be divided by total participants, ensuring a fair chance for all.

Ambrosiussen Accountants’ staff getting trashed for the Toowoomba Hospice

The Hospice is a community organisation which relies heavily on Toowoomba and the surrounding districts for support.

For further information please contact Mark Munro, Promotions & Fundraising Manager on 07 4659 8500 or email admin.toowoombahospice@bigpond.com

The past, present and future of cutting edge cars will be on display in a car lover’s heaven at the Transport and Main Roads Heritage Centre this weekend. The second of the four weekend open days planned for the international exhibition Industrial Desire: Detroit Concept Cars.

This American exhibition features concept car models, drawings and film footage.

It is a unique opportunity to sneak a peek at the highly secretive and competitive world of car design and witness concept cars that are not normally seen outside of the industry.

After seeing the exciting concepts on display, take the opportunity to talk with like-minded enthusiasts over a BBQ hosted by Rotary Club of Toowoomba City.

Various car clubs from South East Queensland will be in attendance showcasing the role they play in preserving our transport history. This weekend’s participants include the Toowoomba VW Car Club and Top of the Range Street Machines. Special guest for the day is Skelta Racing with the performance vehicle that achieved great success at Targa Tasmania in May.

Also not to be missed is the upcoming presentation on Thursday 28 October by Professor Bryon Fitzpatrick formerly of the College of Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan. The presentation provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyday drivers and car dreamers to see the secrets and skills of the highly competitive field of concept car designers. Only the 10am session has seating available. Booking is essential.

Industrial Desire is presented by Transport and Main Roads Heritage Centre through artisans in partnership with the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, and toured by Museum and Gallery Services Queensland.

The Transport and Main Roads Heritage Centre, located near the airport terminal on Mutze Street, is a hidden gem in Toowoomba with an engaging representation of the skill and dedication that goes in to connecting Queensland -  from early pioneering days to current road building technologies.

Open this Sunday, 24 October from 10 – 2pm. Two other weekend open days have been planned for Saturday 6 November and Saturday 27 November.

The centre is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. The exhibition is on display until Saturday 27 November.

For more information contact Karen Barrett on 4633 2506 during business hours.

or email karen.l.barrett@tmr.qld.gov.au

Note: Group bookings are welcome