Energy high as Gladstone gets down to green business
School students from across Central Queensland have showcased a range of sustainable energy ideas, at a two-day challenge at CQUniversity Gladstone.
From energy-generating aqua parks to hydrogen-powered planes and high-tech shoes and bikes that store and transfer kinetic energy, the big-thinking solutions put innovation in the spotlight.
Across 19–20 May, 125 students from five schools took part in the Future Creators Challenge, engaging with industry innovators and pitching 11 emissions-busting ideas that received expert feedback.
Future Creators Challenge
CQU Gladstone hosted teams from Bundaberg North State High School, Calliope High School, Clearview Christian College, Toolooa State High School, Trinity College Gladstone for the two-day event.
Students heard from a panel of young professionals including Clair Lewis, Process Engineer (Energy) at Rio Tinto, Griffin Day, Power Engineer at SAFEGroup Automation and Katie Windsor, a final year CQU Mechanical Engineering student and intern at GHD Engineering.
The winning teams were:
- Most Innovative Idea - Aqua Arena (Trinity College)
- Best Pitch - Hydro Bros (Toolooa State High School)
- Overall Digital Pioneers - Carbon Cut (Trinity College)
- Overall Interactive Innovations - NexStep (Trinity College)
The judging panel included Associate Professor Sanath Alahakoon and Dr Diluka Moratuwage from CQU’s School of Engineering and Technology, CQU Senior STEM Educator Joanne Terry, and Katie Windsor and Clair Lewis.
One participant said: “The experience of pitching and the hosts interacting with us helped build my confidence to a deeper level. Talking with the engineers that are close (to) my age made it easy to relate to their problems and solutions.”
The Future Creators Challenge is supported by the Queensland Government, as part of the statewide Regional Enablers Program (REP), boosting local opportunities for innovation driven enterprises to grow across Queensland's diverse regions.
CQUniversity has led events and initiatives for the Gladstone REP since 2025.
Innovation boom
Innovation will return to centre stage when CQUniversity Gladstone hosts the Impact10X Simulator from 1–3 September 2026.
The free, hands-on program supports aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators to test and validate business ideas, refine business models, connect with mentors and industry experts, and develop investor-ready pitches. Apply for Impact10X Simulator now!
The Gladstone Regional Enablers Program Network and Pitch Event will be held at the conclusion of the three-day program, 4:30pm to 6:00pm on Thursday 3 September, at CQUniversity's Gladstone campus.
CQU Associate Professor Linda Pfeiffer leads the Gladstone REP, and said the events are building Gladstone’s problem-solving capacity for a green future.
“It’s exciting to offer this free and targeted opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and problem-solvers to gain practical skills, receive expert guidance, and build valuable professional networks,” she said.
Aspiring entrepreneurs and scale-ready start-ups can participate as individuals or teams.
Applications for the Impact10X Simulator – Gladstone event are now open via the Impact10x website.
