Community Engagement
Guided by its strategic project objectives, the Chair is actively engaged with the communities in the Greater Whitsunday Region. This involves working closely with Mining, METS and non-METS industries, peak bodies, state and local government agencies and communities on future skilling, decarbonisation, economic transformation and community strengthening agendas in the region.
“Women who Weld” Event
On 12 March 2024, Professor Rob Brown attended the “Women who Weld” event at Trade Training Centre.
RIN International Women’s Day Luncheon
Professor Rob Brown and Dr Bingjie Song attended the RIN (Resource Industry Network) International Women’s Day Luncheon held at MECC on 6 March 2024.
Rob's interview with the ABC Radio
On 5 March 2024, Professor Rob Brown attended a Breakfast radio interview with ABC Tropical North where he presented views about the Universities Accord and the importance, opportunities and challenges of reginal universities.
The audio of the Universities Accord interview is available on Insentia.
Judging MACKHACK Hackathon 2024
On 25 February 2024, Professor Rob Brown participated the MACKHACK 2024 as Judging Panel. The 3-day event was organized by Split Spaces and held at their venue from 23-25 February 2025. This hackathon was focused on METS-related problems.
Bowen Basin Mining Club - industry luncheon
Professor Rob Brown attended the Bowen Basin Mining Club - industry luncheon on 8 February 2024.
Rob's interview with the ABC Radio
On 6 February 2024, Professor Rob Brown attended a Breakfast radio interview with ABC Tropical North. Presented views about regional growth, future skills, and where CQUniversity and BMA Chair in Automation and Future Skills fit into those paradigm and contribute to overall regional growth.
The audio of the regional growth interview is available on Insentia.
RIN Industry Briefing Lunch
On 2 February 2024, Professor Rob Brown attended the RIN Industry Briefing Lunch.
Bravus Carmichael Mine tour
On 12 December 2023, Prof Rob Brown participated in a Bravus mine tour to Carmichael Mine with stakeholders from across the MIW region in celebration of the first 10 million tonnes of coal exported.
Engagement with stakeholders to meet BMA Asset President
On 6 December 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended an engagement at the RCOE and met BMA's Asset President Adam Lancey. During the event Prof Brown conducted a presentation to the group on the role of the Chair in Automation and Future Work Skills.
Resource Industry Network (RIN) Briefing
On 10 November 2023 Prof Rob Brown accepted an invitation from BHP and attended RIN's November Industry Briefing and AGM Breakfast.
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) Tour
On 8 November 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended a tour of DBCT with two CQUniversity staff members from the School of Engineering and Technology.
Presentation to Catherine McAuley College year 8 students
On 30 October 2023 Prof Rob Brown was invited by Catherine McAuley's Head of Year 8 Teacher to deliver a presentation to students on future skills and career opportunities available in the Mining/METS industry.
Hay Point Coal Terminal's (HPCT) Shiploader and Berth Replacement Project Celebration
On 26 October 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended HPCT's celebratory event held at the Hay Point Hotel Motel.
RIN October Industry Briefing Lunch
On 6 October 2023, as a Guest Speaker, Prof Rob Brown attended the Resource Industry Network's Industry Briefing lunch held at Harrup Park in Meeting. During the event Prof Brown presented on how universities link with industry (especially Mining and METS) and local communities.
RACQ CQ Rescue Annual Charity Event
On 25 August 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended RACQ CQ Rescue's Exclusive Annual Charity Event 'One Night on the Red Carpet'. The event was sponsored by BMA.
Bowen Basin Bright Minds Opening Dinner
On 21 July 2023 Prof Rob Brown was invited as a Keynote speaker at the Bright Minds Opening Dinner, presented his keynote speech on the topic: "How education needs to adapt to meet the needs of our community in light of 4IR. What type of education should students be undertaking post high school to enter roles of the future?"
135 delegates from industry, education services, school principals and teaching staff attended the dinner.
Media (Radio) Interview
on 15 April 2023, Prof Rob Brown attended the ABC North Queensland radio interview and discussed CQUniversity Mackay, MEVET, future work skills, bridging the skills shortage gaps etc in the Greater Whitsunday Region.
Visit to BHP Future Fit Academy in Mackay
On 13 March 2023 Professor Rob Brown, Rob Buttery (Associate Dean, CQU School of Trades) and Mahesh Kayastha visited the BHP Future Fit Academy (FFA) in Mackay. The visit was a good opportunity to know about the vision, initiatives, and activities of FFA from Laura Langan and Jackie Murphy at BHP.
BHP Bowen Basin Mining Club Lunch
Professor Rob Brown and Mahesh Kayastha attended a BHP Bowen Basin Mining Club Lunch in Mackay on 30 March 2023. The event was a wonderful opportunity to understand BHP's vision and strategies on future skilling in the region as well as to connect with the key METS industry contacts.
Steering Group Meeting of the Chair in Automation
On 21 March 2024, Professor Rob Brown, Mahesh Kayastha, and Dr Bingjie Song participated in the Strategic Direction Meeting (SDB) of the Chair in Automation and Future Work Skills. The meeting was chaired by Prof Nick Klomp, the Vice-Chancellor of CQUniversity.
Chair in Automation Project Integration Group Meeting
On 12 March 2024, Professor Rob Brown participated in the Project Integration Group meeting of Chair in Automation and Future Skills.
Decarbonisation Accelerated Leaders Group Meeting
On 12 March 2024, Rob participated in the Decarbonisation Accelerated Leaders Group Meeting held at RCOE.
ACARP Round Meeting
On 12 March 2024, Professor Rob Brown participated in the ACARP Round Meeting.
Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Reference Group Meeting
Professor Rob Brown participated in the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) reference group meeting held on 6 March 2024.
RDA GW Committee Meeting
On 23 February 2024, Rob participated in the RDA GW Committee Meeting.
Bowen Basin Bright Minds Consultation
Professor Rob Brown participated in the Bowen Basin Bright Minds Consultation meeting. The consultation was focused on Queensland Future Skills program, and to inform the Bowen Basin Bright Minds evaluation held on 9 February 2024.
Decarbonisation Accelerated Leaders Group meeting
On 8 February 2024, Rob participated in the Decarbonisation Accelerated Leaders Group meeting. The meeting discussed the Decarbonisation Accelerated Plan Overview 2024 and METS Diversification Submission from Create Advisory.
BHP Future of Work Information Session
Professor Rob Brown attended the BHP Future of Work information session held on 1 February 2024.
Decarbonisation Accelerated Micro-Credentials
On 17 January 2024, a meeting was held between Professor Rob Brown, Dr Bingjie Song, Mahesh Kayastha, Jarrah Steen (GW3) and Clare McAlpine to discuss GW's concept on micro-credentials. The meeting was held at the CQUniversity, Mackay City Campus.
Decarbonisation Accelerated Micro-Credentials - follow up meeting with the Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) team
On 17 January 2024, a meeting was held at the CQUniversity Mackay City Campus to discuss GW3's concept on micro-credentials. Jarrah Steen and Clare McAlpine from GW3 presented GW3's concept and future strategies about the Decarbonisation Accelerated Micro-Credentials. Prof Rob Brown and Mahesh Kayastha from the Chair in Automation and Future Skills (CIA) discussed and highlighted CIA's potential collaboration with GW3 on the project. Bingjie Song, the Senior Research Fellow of CIA also participated in the meeting.
Meeting with Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) on decarbonisation micro-credentials
On 1 December 2023, Prof Rob Brown Prof Rob Brown hosted a meeting with GW3 to share the Chair’s new thoughts about decarbonisation Micro-credentials. The meeting discussed potential digitally badged micro-credential courses that could be done online and serve to increase community knowledge in the field of Decarbonisation. Jarrah Steen and Clare McAlpine from GW3 and Mahesh Kayastha attended the meeting. The meeting was held at CQUniversity's Mackay City Campus.
The meeting was an opportunity to consult with the regional peak body like GW3 and validate the relevance and the potential impact of micro-credential courses to the regional community. The meeting agreed to meet up for further consultations leading to identifying topics/areas of micro-credentials and discussing implementation strategies.
Decarbonisation Accelerated Leaders Group
On 6 October 2023 Prof Rob Brown participated in the first Decarbonisation Accelerated Leaders Group Meeting held at RCOE in Mackay. Following the meeting, Prof Brown attended the Decarbonisation Accelerated Project Lunch hosted by RCOE and the Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3).
Meeting with Revolution Aerospace
On 4 October 2023 Prof Rob Brown met with Terry Martin from Revolution Aerospace and other stakeholders where they discussed drone autonomous flight capability in the MIW region over the next few years as part of a project contract with the Federal Government. The meeting was held in the DISH at RCOE in Mackay.
Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety (QMIHS) Conference Debrief
On 15 September 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended a meeting with representatives from CQU, RCOE and BHP to discuss plans and research opportunities following the 2023 QMIHS Conference.
Decarbonisation meeting
On 13 September 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended a meeting with RDA Greater Whitsundays, Next Economy, and Greater Whitsunday Communities to discuss a project opportunity aligned to decarbonisation and community social change.
BHP Goonyella Riverside Mine Tour
On 9 September 2023 Prof Rob Brown visited the Goonyella mine site alongside Smart Transformation Youth Advisory Council. During this Prof Brown provided a brief presentation to YAC members on education pathways and future jobs etc.
Hay Point Coal Terminal Visit
On 30 August 2023 Prof Rob Brown and Mahesh Kayastha visited the Hay Point Coal Terminal, hosted by Brett Ross, BHP. The tour provided an opportunity to better understand industry and Hay Point operations in relation to ACARP and future projects.
Queensland Royalties Briefing
On 28 August 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended a meeting with Ben Dillaway from BHP to learn about royalties and corresponding impacts.
Meeting with the BHP Head of Corporate Affairs Canada
On 3 August 2023 Prof Rob Brown had a meeting Chet Reynolds, BHP Head of Corporate Affairs Canada and provided an overview of the BHP/CQU partnership, outcomes achieved and way forward.
BHP Hay Point Coal Terminal tour
Prof Rob Brown, Dean Kirkwood (General Manager, Resource Industry Network - RIN), and Mahesh Kayastha visited the BHP Hay Point Coal terminal on 31 August 2023. Brett Ross, Linda Murry, and Leah Scheepers from BHP accompanied the tour. It was a good opportunity for the Chair to discuss the future collaboration between the Chair, BHP and RIN in broad agendas.
Introductory meeting with Gavin Lind from The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA)
Prof Rob Brown attended a meeting with Gavin Lind from The Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) on 14 July 2023 and discussed AUSMASA Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) for the mining and automotive industries and their work in developing current and future workforce skilling needs.
CRC TiME Networking Lunch and Virtual Roundtable at the RCOE
Prof Rob Brown and Mahesh Kayastha visited a CRC TiME Networking Lunch and Virtual Roundtable at the Regional Centre of Excellence, Mackay on 3 July 2023. The event was a wonderful opportunity to engage and network with partner and stakeholder representatives of CRC TiME and listen to participants from three Bowen Basin regional entities discuss approaches to long-term social and economic prosperity including their role in diversification, collaboration and future visions for coal regions.
Meeting and presentation to the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME) at the RCOE
Opportunity to discuss and showcase the CIA role and partnerships.
Meeting and presentation to the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME) at the RCOE
Opportunity to discuss and showcase the CIA role and partnerships.
Introduction to Treasurer Cameron Dick
On 21 June 2023 Prof Rob Brown had an informal meeting with Treasurer Cameron Dick at the DISH (RCOE) where he showcased the Chair in Automation role and partnerships. The Minister was joined by Assistant Minister for Treasury, Charis Mullen MP, and local member and Assistant Minister for Education, Julieanne Gilbert MP. Furthermore, Prof Rob Brown had a good conversation with the Treasurer and his colleagues, and took the opportunity to highlight the terrific work CQUniversity Mackay is doing with our partners such as the RCOE, BMA and the Resource Industry Network (RIN).
Smart Transformation: Innovative Futures Project Steering Committee
Prof Rob Brown participated in the "Smart Transformation: Innovative Futures Project Steering Committee meeting on 20 April 2023. The meeting discussed the Smart Transformation Action Plan and possible next steps.
Smart Transformation Advisory Council
As a part of the Chair's key objective, Prof Rob Brown participated in the Smart Transformation Advisory Council (STAC) meetings in Dysart on 3 April 2023 and in Moranbah on 4 April 2023.
Decarbonisation conversation meeting with the key stakeholders
on 28 April 2023, Prof Rob Brown convened an online meeting to broadly discuss CIA's it's planned research on Dacarbonisation, and to seek inputs from the stakeholders about who we should we talk to in the region.
RDA GW Workshop
On 22 March 2024, Professor Rob Brown participated in the Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsunday workshop.
ZeroIN - Technology for a decarbonised future
Decarbonisation event hosted by Climate Salad held at the RCOE. Dedicated to creating connections and learning about decarbonisation opportunities and innovation in the GW region and beyond.
Decarbonisation Accelerated XR Pitch Challenge
Attended (virtually) with stakeholders from across the mining and METS industry as they pitch solutions that will help facilitate the acceleration of decarbonisation in this sector.
Deputy Premier’s Forum on the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy and the development of a Regional Transition Strategy
(Mahesh) Attended Deputy Premier’s Forum on the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy and the development of a Regional Transition Strategy for the Greater Whitsunday Region - 16 August 2023.
Research Leaders Forum
CQUniversity Research Leaders Forum in Rockhampton 7 - 8 June. Guest Speaker Steven Boxall RCOE.
AI Business Innovation Workshop
Hosted by Split Spaces and facilitated by Mackay Whitsundays AI Chapters. Discussions from experts about the future of business and workforce trends and a demonstration of AI tools.
ZeroIN - Technology for a decarbonised future
On 4 October 2023 Prof Rob Brown participated in the decarbonisation event hosted by Climate Salad held at the RCOE, Mackay. The event was dedicated to creating connections and learning about decarbonisation opportunities and innovation in the Greater Whitsunday region and beyond.
Decarbonisation Accelerated XR Pitch Challenge
On 12 September 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended a virtual workshop with stakeholders from across the mining and METS industry as they pitch solutions that will help facilitate the acceleration of decarbonisation in this sector.
Deputy Premier’s Forum on the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy and the development of a Regional Transition Strategy
On 16 August 2023 Mahesh Kayastha attended the Deputy Premier’s Forum on the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy and the development of a Regional Transition Strategy for the Greater Whitsunday Region.
Industry 4.0 - Driving Sustainable Manufacturing Breakfast - Mackay
On 11 July 2023 Prof Rob Brown and Mahesh Kayastha attended a Breakfast Event facilitated by Ai Group Queensland at the RCOE. Leading industry expressed presented their views about smart manufacturing and distribution as well as decarbonisation.
Business Breakfast
on 6 July 2023 Prof Rob Brown attended a Business Breakfast event in Townsville hosted by Townsville Enterprise and James Cook University and presented by Dr Chris Greig from Princeton University on the topic 'Navigating Australia's transition to a net-zero emissions economy - opportunities and challenges for Northern Australia'
AI Business Innovation Workshop
On 19 April 2023, Prof Rob Brown Brown and Mahesh Kayastha attended the AI Business Innovation Workshop hosted by Split Spaces and facilitated by Mackay Whitsundays AI Chapters. During the event experts discussed about the future of business and workforce trends and a demonstration of AI tools.
