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The Cranbrook ChronicleCareers CornerA unique university inan exceptional part ofthe world named afteran amazing blokeJames Cook was an amazing bloke. From a verysimple background in northern England, witha limited education, he went on to chart greatchunks of both sides of the Pacific coastline,and almost the entire east coast of Australiain three momentous voyages. Not too surehe could bat and bowl, but he could do somuch more at the very early stages of modernscience.As the commander of the HMB Endeavor,Lieutenant Cook spent a great deal of time ofhis first voyage in North Queensland. In thewinter of 1770, Cook guided the Endeavourthrough the inner channel of the vast reef as heexplored and charted the coast. When the shipstuck fast on the reef near Cape Tribulation,Cook beached Endeavour near modern dayCooktown. He then spent six weeks repairingthe ship, and exploring an amazing bio-diversepart of the world. In some respects, Cook andhis crew established a precedent common toNorth Queensland today. As the first nonindigenouspeople to visit the area, they werethe first group from somewhere else, as are thewaiters, pilots, lawyers, sailors, scientists anduni students who now find themselves in NorthQueensland.Careers Corner spent some time during thebreak in what is a fascinating part of the world.Cairns has seen US and Australian forces makeit their home in WWII and today, while waiterson Green Island are drawn from the US,Canada, France, and even Zimbabwe for thework and the beauty. But the best part of NorthQueensland that Cranbrook boys may thinkabout is the university named after the intrepidexplorer who visited over two centuries ago.James Cook University (JCU) has two maincampuses, one in Cairns and the other inTownsville, and a number of research stationsspread across the reef, the Atherton Tablelands,the Daintree River and further inland. Usingthese exceptional teaching resources, JCUoffers programs not only in marine science,but in agricultural and biological sciences,zoology and botany. Combining such studywith fieldwork taken in the rich surroundingenvironments gives even greater value to theeducation provided by JCU.The other standard programs offered in thehumanities, law and business show that JCUoffers a great range of degree programs thatattracts all students. The program that attractsmost students from across Australia, includingat least one Cranbrook Old Boy, is Medicine.JCU’s Medicine program offers the standardeducation program, yet it also pushes itsstudents beyond the norm with electives intheir research areas of rural health and tropical,remote and indigenous health. These arefascinating areas of health work in Australiaand JCU leads the nation in educating futuredoctors who want to work in something morethan a standard hospital. This approach toeducation is enhanced by pioneering viable andextraordinary alternatives in a beautiful part ofthe world.CC is not really interested in the reef andthe fishes, but the vast area in which JCU isbased provides opportunities for studentsto experience something very different tolife at home. Much like Cook and the crewof the Endeavour, North Queensland is notlike home, but the education and fulfilment astudent could gain is too good to miss.Library cornerThe InkBridgeby NeilGrantOmed is a boy from Afghanistan. Aftermaking an enemy of the Taliban onthe day the Buddhas of Bamiyan aredestroyed, he undertakes a perilousjourney to seek asylum in Australia.Hector is a grieving Australian boy whohas given up on school and retreatedinto silence. Their paths meet at acandle factory where they both findwork. However, secrets fester behindthe monotonous routine of assemblingwax and wicks - secrets with terribleconsequences. Ultimately, it is up toHector to see how the story ends.Omed’s and Hector’s compellingjourneys are both gripping andsensitively explored.Neil Grant won the 2012 QueenslandLiterary Award for Young Adult Fictionfor The Ink Bridge. It is nominated forthe 2013 Children’s Book Council Awardfor Older Readers. He spoke to the Year 8English classes on Tuesday 23rd July.6