Road Safety Award for USQ Theatre Department

A film produced by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Theatre Department aimed at reducing the tragic loss of life on Queensland Roads has picked up a RACQ Road Safety Award.

The honour was awarded to the Department for their production of Tightrope, a 45 minute feature film promoting road safety that was produced by, and stars USQ Actors and Stage Management staff and students.

'The film tells the story of a young aspiring rock band on their way to a ‘Battle of the Bands' competition when there is an accident and tragedy strikes,' said Assistant Producer and third year Stage Management student, Lenine Millard.

'What we wanted to do with the film is get the message across about the senselessness of deaths on our roads and promote safety when behind the wheel.'

Specifically targeted at school leavers, the film, which was made in collaboration with the Queensland Police Service, has been shown to Year 12 students nearing the end of their final year of high school.

'Last year when we made it and sent it out to schools it went as far away as Mackay, so it is reaching a lot of students,' Ms Millard said.

'Considering the small budget ($8200) it has done really well and there is talk of it now being sent interstate.

'The ABC has also shown an interest in the USQ Theatre Department producing a series covering other teenage issues, such as drug abuse and teenage pregnancy.'

With current Year 12 students counting down the days until ‘Schoolies', thousands will soon be hitting the road, with the issue of road safety at the forefront of many parent's minds.

'Around November is when they show the film, which is the perfect time with many Year 12s getting ready for ‘Schoolies',' Ms Millard said.

'It is a good educational tool and allows students a first hand look at what can happen if they are not safe on the road.'

The RACQ Road Safety Awards recognise and honour the outstanding efforts of community groups, companies, industry groups, schools and local government towards improving road safety.

Media Contact:  Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628, 0403 643 192