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Make AgQuip an event to remember

August 03, 2005

agquip.jpgEvents Co-ordinators at The University of New England are calling for volunteers to help at this year's annual AgQuip.
The largest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, AgQuip is held in Gunnedah every August and attracts more than 100,000 visitors from all over the country.
UNE's Event Co-ordinator, Ms Jennifer Ross, said AgQuip provides a great opportunity for UNE to showcase its strengths to prospective students and the wider community.
"We have a large marquee at AgQuip where we provide specialists from all faculties to help answer questions from the public," Ms Ross said.
"Inside the marquee we also provide scientific demonstrations of research emanating from UNE, brochures on all the courses offered at UNE and a survey asking visitors to the marquee what they think of UNE."
A key attraction shown annually at AgQuip and provided by the Faculty of The Sciences is a sheep with a window into its stomach. Passers-by can observe the biology of an animal in action. A "live" heart from a long-deceased toad also attracts a flurry of schoolchildren, eager to find out more about studying Science at UNE.
This year Ms Kerry de Jong has joined the Events team and is looking for academics to travel to Gunnedah to help promote UNE.
"Many people on campus may mistakenly think AgQuip only attracts people interested in rural science and agricultre," Ms de Jong said.
"But AgQuip provides many families with a day out and we have hundreds of young people who come to the UNE marquee to find out about The Arts, Humanities, whether UNE teacher nursing and how they go about enrolling for Drama, for example."

AgQuip was first staged at Gunnedah Racecourse in 1973, attracting 30,000 visitors to view displays and products from 69 participants.
These days, more than 200 participants display their wares at AgQuip, including other universities and high schools from across NSW and Southern Queensland.
This year, the Event Co-ordinators hope to enliven the UNE marquee with a special afternoon "coo-ee" to alumni who may be visiting the show.
They are also planning a series of mini-events to attract more visitors and this is where they are seeking the support of the wider UNE community.
"Every year The Sciences put on a wonderful display for AgQuip and it pays off when it comes to recruiting new students," Ms de Jong said.
"This year, we would like to hear from any of the Faculties or Colleges who have a fresh way of promoting their expertise. We are open to all ideas."
The Co-ordinators will arrange travel to and from Gunnedah and there may be the opportunity to stay overnight.
If you are interested, or would like more information, phone either Jen Ross on 6773 2768 or Kerry de Jong on 6773 3955.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at August 3, 2005 12:32 PM