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REGIONAL NEWS
Home > Regional News
New Head of Bathurst Campus appointed
19 Jun 2007
 Dean of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Business Faculty Professor John Hicks has been appointed the new Head of the Bathurst Campus. He will commence in the position on Friday 22 June when the current Campus Head, Associate Professor Greg Walker, retires. Professor Hicks has had an extensive academic career and has worked as a senior economist in the private sector. He joined CSU in 1993. His current research interests include the application of macroeconomic policy at regional and national levels – especially in relation to China, the economics of education, the application of economics to business strategy and the economics of terrorism. Professor Hicks paid tribute to a job well done by Professor Walker. “Greg has done an outstanding job of engaging with the Bathurst community. And I want the University and community to continue to work together to achieve even greater outcomes.”
Media Note: Professor John Hicks is available for interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story A toast to NWGIC success
19 Jun 2007
A decade of innovative Australian wine and grape research will be celebrated at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) located on Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus this week. A gala dinner on Wednesday 20 June will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the NWGIC, a collaborative project between CSU, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the New South Wales Wine Industry Association. A Wine and Grape Industry symposium, The NWGIC in the future of the Australian Wine Industry, will be held in conjunction with the celebrations on Thursday 21 June. Newly appointed head of the NWGIC Professor Thomas Henick-Kling says the past ten years have been marked by great success for the CSU collaborative project providing innovation and improved income for the Australian wine industry.
Media Note: Formal presentations begin at the CSU Wine Industry Training Centre McKeon Drive at 4.30pm Wednesday 20 June with wine tasting and a formal dinner 7pm at the CSU Convention Centre. The NWGIC symposium starts 9.30am Thursday 21 June. Speakers include Director-General, NSW Department of Primary Industries Mr Barry Buffier. For interviews contact CSU Media Print this story Refocusing on Vet Sciences
19 Jun 2007
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) has enthusiastically welcomed the reformation of the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture (ACDA), which will develop strategies to raise the profile and strengthen student recruitment into agricultural science programs. CSU played a lead role in bringing about the reconvening of the ACDA. CSU Professor Jim Pratley, who was elected as interim Secretary-Treasurer, said the ACDA will increase opportunities for students. “There is a strong common view that there are exciting careers in agriculture and the job market is buoyant”. CSU Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences Head of School John Kent said, “We need Australia's best and brightest coming into agricultural studies to meet the challenges of the future, which includes feeding the rapidly increasing world population, coping with new technology as well as environmental and climate changes”.
Media Note: The Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture (ACDA) will come into effect from Sunday 1 July 2007. The Universities represented are CSU, Adelaide, La Trobe, Melbourne, New England, Queensland, Sydney, Tasmania and Western Australia. For interviews contact CSU Media Print this story CSU Ontario?s second graduation is on song
19 Jun 2007
 CSU Ontario second-ever graduation will take place later this week. Over 250 graduands from the Faculties of Education, Arts, Health Studies, Science and Agriculture are expected to attend the two formal graduation sessions. Lisa Martin is not only graduating from her Bachelor of Primary Education Studies with distinction, but is also a passionate member of the CSU Ontario choir. A classically trained singer, Lisa received the gold medal in performance in her undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, and has a Masters of Music from McGill University in Quebec: “The choir was a great way to unwind on Fridays during our teaching block and it adds another bonding element to the graduation experience.” Lisa adds that she is “thrilled” to have secured a position teaching grade 3-8 vocal with the Waterloo District School Board in Ontario.
Media Note: The choir will perform the Australian and Canadian national anthems, as well as three selections based around the theme of “dreaming”. Media are invited to attend the CSU Ontario graduation at the Burlington Convention Centre on Friday 22 June. For more information or for interviews, contact Jenni Munday 905 333 4955 Ext.124 or email jmunday@csu.edu.au Print this story Albury students get AVID in US
19 Jun 2007
Five Charles Sturt University (CSU) middle school teaching students will travel to the United States this July to learn more about the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) education program. Maree Arnold, Erin McCabe, Melissa Loats, Lauren O'Shea and Sean Walker will participate in the latest professional development work with middle and high school teachers throughout the United States when they attend the AVID Summer Institute in San Diego, California. In addition to the conference, the students will tour local middle schools, work with local high school students and meet other education students from San Diego. CSU middle school education course coordinator Dr Sally Knipe said this was an opportunity for pre-service teachers to acquire professional insights into a highly successful program designed to increase academic performance and entry into university
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Designing for Lee Lin Chin
19 Jun 2007
 Innovative and interesting jewellery pieces designed and produced by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be showcased at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Presented by the School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Continuum exhibition reveals the work of current CSU students studying Bachelor of Arts in jewellery. The exhibition will focus on the recent works of third year students who designed and manufactured pieces for Lee Lin Chin, the SBS World News presenter recognised in Australian fashion circles for her distinctive style. Ms Chin will also have the opportunity to select her favourite piece from the collection. The Continuum exhibition, located in the Art Gallery’s Art Education Room, will go on public display from Tuesday 19 June and will be officially opened on Friday 22 June at 6pm.
Media Note: Continuum, an exhibition of the Bachelor of Arts (Jewellery) current student works is in the Art Education Room, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, running from 19 to 29 June 2007. For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Animal idol winner
19 Jun 2007
 Team Barracuda took out the finals of Animal Idol on the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) last week. Each week, first year animal science students presented on a topic chosen by their course coordinator, with the added challenge of delivering their presentations in varying contexts, such as gearing the talk towards school children, or ‘unplugged’ without the benefit of electronic devices such as Powerpoint or overhead projection. The teams were then judged by an Australian Idol style panel. Cassandra Macdonald from Team Barracuda accepted the trophy, certificate and first prize of $1 000 at a barbecue last Friday 15 June, saying the experience was “good fun and a good experience. It definitely built up my confidence”.
Media Note: For more information, contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU students win Battle of the Bands
19 Jun 2007
 The Tremendous, a band made up of students from Charles Sturt University (CSU), took out the Rock Up 2007 Battle of the Bands final in Dubbo earlier this month. Laurie Mahon, a first year Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of Business Studies student, describes his band's music as "folk mixed with psychedelic, funk, jazz and roots". Other CSU students in The Tremendous are Lily Leahy, Liam Robertson and Julian Pavey. Mr Mahon says the two vocalists, Grace Turner and Zana Kobayashi, are hoping to enrol at CSU next year. Part of the prize includes two days recording time and after that, The Tremendous will tour the east coast of New South Wales. “It’s very much a dream – to be able to tour and record. If we work hard then hopefully it will become a reality. I’ve been in a lot of bands, and this is the first that people come up after the show and tell us how much they enjoy the music, and that is exhilarating,” said Mr Mahon.
Media Note: Laurie Mahon is available for interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story Exercise pilot study shows promise
12 Jun 2007
 A seven-week pilot project at Masterfoods in Bathurst will expand into a larger study later this year, according to Dr Rob Duffield, lecturer in the School of Human Movement (SOHM) at Charles Sturt University. Twenty shift workers participated in an exercise training program with predictable results – improved fitness and weight loss. As well, the participants reported lower stress levels, less fatigue, and clearer on-the-job decision making. There was even “a small trend in improved absenteeism and reporting of sickness,” said Dr Duffield. Sport and exercise psychologist in the SOHM Dr Les Podlog interviewed the participants about their on-going commitment to the program. He identified camaraderie amongst the group and enhanced self-confidence as key contributing factors. In addition, “shift workers require convenient scheduling times to ensure sustained participation, and it is important to mix people who already get along,” Dr Podlog said.
Media Note: Dr Rob Duffield and Dr Les Podlog are available for interviews - contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU marketing students keen to make a splash
12 Jun 2007
 It was a long, hot, dry summer for Bathurst residents, who had to cope without a public pool. That is set to change in September when Bathurst Regional Council (BRC) unveils the new $12.5 million Aquatic Centre, and Charles Sturt University (CSU) project management students are keen to help with celebration ideas. Andrew Mashman from CSU’s School of Marketing and Management explains 30 students have divided into five teams, to work on launch plans that will “engage the community or specific target markets in events surrounding the opening of the pool – it is important to get everyone from all walks of life to the Aquatic Centre in the first weeks”. Victoria Jackson, BRC’s manager of marketing and communication says Council was “looking for launch ideas and now the students have a chance to throw their ideas into the ring. As an added resource for our events team, it helps to have fresh eyes.”
Media Note: The second and third year Project Management students will present their project plans for the opening of the new pool complex to BRC at their Council Chambers from 10am this Thursday 14 June. For interviews with CSU marketing academic Andrew Mashman, contact CSU Media. Print this story Count CSU in
12 Jun 2007
 Schools and other institutions around Australia, including Charles Sturt University (CSU), will burst into song – the same song – at 11am Thursday 30 August. Life is a Song has been especially written for the project entitled Music, Count Us In, which is an initiative of the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training. CSU choir master and music lecturer in the School of Teacher Education Dr Christopher Klopper calls the project “fantastic” and confirms that Life is a Song will be performed on CSU’s Bathurst Campus. He says the timing of the project also coincides with his fourth year student’s practicums, so they will take the project into schools around New South Wales. “This is an opportunity for everyone in Australia to be learning one shared song. It will raise awareness of music education and, if it is successful, could become an annual event.”
Media Note: For more information visit the project website. For interviews with Dr Christopher Klopper, contact CSU Media. Print this story New face at CSU Winery
12 Jun 2007
 Wine innovation has arrived at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) with Dr Jim Hardie accepting the role as Professor of Winegrowing Innovation. Dr Hardie has more than 30 years experience in viticultural research and vineyard management including ten years with Brown Brothers Vineyards at Milawa in north east Victoria where he established the Whitlands Vineyard, a pioneering project in cool climate viticulture. Dr Hardie is a strong advocate of international collaboration, with particular interest in applying new knowledge and technology to produce premium quality wine and other grape products. Dr Hardie says his goal is “to accelerate the contribution of CSU and its collaborators in the NWGIC toward intellectual leadership and value-adding, high impact, technical innovation within the Australian wine industry”.
Media Note: The National Wine and Grape Industry Centre is located on the University’s Wagga Wagga Campus. For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Animal idol finals on tomorrow
12 Jun 2007
The finals of Animal Idol will be held on the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) tomorrow. The brainchild of Professor Martin Sillence in the CSU Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences School and course coordinator of the new Bachelor of Animal Science, Animal Idol has first year Animal Science students compete in an Australian Idol-style competition. “It is designed to improve presentation skills,” said Dr Sillence. “Each week a different topic is researched and I set a distinct theme and context. Once students gave a presentation aimed at school children, another was an ‘unplugged’ presentation with no power point or other electronic devices. There is a panel of judges drawn from CSU - perhaps one is a little bit ‘Marcia’, and two are a little bit ‘Dicko’. The students vote by SMS to eliminate one of the presentation teams. It is novel, but it seems to be working. I have been amazed by the standard of presentations and the way the students have improved from week to week.”
Media Note: The Animal Idol finals will be held tomorrow, Wednesday 13 June at 2pm in the Graham Building in Lecture Theatre 182 on CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus. Media are welcome to attend. On Friday 15 June, the winners of Animal Idol will be announced at a barbecue. First prize is $1 000 and second prize is $200. For more information, contact CSU Media. Print this story Maturing Malaysian cheese making skills
12 Jun 2007
Three international students have experienced the ultimate taste test, maturing their cheese making skills at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Cheese Factory. The students, Wai Yee Fung, Pei Leng Chong and Hooi Chee Tan from the University of Science, Malaysia (USM) gained experience in commercial cheese production during an eight-week internship at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus. The students, who are studying for degrees in food technology and chemical science at USM, have produced sample batches of Sorke, Paneer and Juusota cheeses, none of which are commercially available in Australia. The public’s tastebuds were tempted when these cheese varieties were ”taste tested” at the popular Farmers Markets in Wagga Wagga during the June long-weekend. Barry Lillywhite says it is possible these cheeses could go into full commercial production at the CSU Cheese Factory.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Volunteers for our community
12 Jun 2007
Is your organisation looking for enthusiastic and able volunteers for a short term project in the Albury-Wodonga community? Up to 200 first year students from the School of Community Health on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus are seeking at least 40 hours work in Border community organisations. Podiatry lecturer Harriet Farquhar said the project helps students learn the value of volunteer community work and the types of volunteer organisations in the Australian community. “Allied health professionals need to understand that through their professions they are serving their community in a helping role, working with a range of people and institutions,” Ms Farquhar said. The student volunteer project – totalling at least 8 000 hours of community assistance – is also a compulsory part of students’ practical work for CSU allied health degrees. Organisations wanting to learn more about the student volunteer project contact CSU staff on telephone (02) 6051 6820.
Media Note: Interviews with coordinators of the CSU student volunteer program will be available at 10am on Thursday 14 June, in front of The Cedars building, CSU Albury City site, Olive St, Albury. Print this story Vietnam orphanage calls for professional assistance
05 Jun 2007
 Allied health students and staff from Charles Sturt University (CSU) leave this month to spend up to six weeks working with children in a Vietnamese orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. The students will gain important practical experience working with the children, many of whom have severe disabilities, while demonstrating and passing on their expertise to orphanage staff. Organised by the University’s School of Community Health, this is the sixth visit by health students and staff to the Phu My orphanage which provides schooling and health care for around 350 orphans. The 13 students, who study physiotherapy, speech pathology and occupational therapy, have raised $1 200 from student clubs and fundraising to purchase resources and equipment for the orphanage and pay for Vietnamese interpreters.
Media Note: CSU visit coordinator Dr Michael Curtin and four participating students will be available for interviews and pictures at 10.30am, Wednesday 6 June in front of The Cedars building, CSU Albury City site, Olive St, Albury. Contact CSU Media. Print this story Cadia funds rehabilitation research
05 Jun 2007
Two new Charles Sturt University (CSU) scholarships will give postgraduate students the chance to achieve positive environmental change at Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations near Orange. Cadia Valley Operations’ Acting Environment and Community Relations Manager Belinda Perry says the company is keen to collaborate with the University in restoration ecology. “Cadia Valley Operations is working with CSU on several projects involving operations, environmental assessments, rehabilitation research and the positive impact our work has on the local economy,” Ms Perry says. “We were delighted to offer two new $2 500 scholarships to areas that interest both our company and the local community.” With research topics covering biodiversity of soil biota in topsoil stockpiles, and metal uptake by vegetation in a mine rehabilitation area, the recruited candidates could start their year of research study and intensive field work as soon as August 2007.
Media Note: Potential candidates with a good academic track record and a bachelor degree in Environmental Science (or equivalent) can contact Dr A Raman on 6365 7833. Applications close on Friday June 15, 2007 Print this story British Council to woo CSU students
05 Jun 2007
Charles Sturt University (CSU) will welcome visiting representatives of the British Council (Australia) on Thursday 7 June. Lecturer in the School of Communication Ms Fiona Green will highlight CSU’s features and student talents to Council representatives Mr Christopher Wade and Ms Grainne Brunsden during a tour of the Bathurst Campus. “The British Council wants to make the educational opportunities they’re offering to talented young Australians more widely understood so more people from right across Australia can take advantage of them,” Ms Green said. “They know many of the future cultural leaders of Australia are studying and working outside the coastal cities so their visit to CSU is part of a drive to get more of these people to apply for their scholarships and awards.” Included are a $30 000 postgraduate award in the creative industries for someone aged 30 or below, and six ‘Realise Your Dream’ UK mentoring opportunities worth $10 000 each for 21 to 28 year olds studying or working in the creative industries.
Media Note: To arrange interviews contact CSU Media. The British Council (Australia) aims to connect people with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK to build lasting relationships around the world. For more information visit http://www.britishcouncil.org.au/ Print this story Shedding new light on dark matter
05 Jun 2007
 A Charles Sturt University (CSU) adjunct lecturer is shedding new light on dark matter, which makes up most of the Universe. Dark matter remains a mystery with no convincing theory ever having been put forward to explain its existence, according to Dr Allan Ernest from the CSU School of Computing and Mathematics. He says scientists struggle to explain dark matter and they need to use ideas that involve new, ‘made-up’ physics or as yet unknown, undiscovered particles. Dr Ernest says, “My theory uses well known physics and ordinary particles. When applied, ordinary matter can be made invisible by putting it into the right ‘state’, producing the dark matter halos of galaxies in the early universe. It’s a hypothesis that seems to be able to explain almost all of the observations of dark matter”. Dr Ernest along with Dr Matthew Collins will present the theory at the upcoming 18th International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation in July.
Media Note: Dr Ernest’s theory has been published in “Dark Matter: New Research” J. Val Blain (ed) by Nova Science Publishers. It was also outlined at the Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics in Melbourne 2006. For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU students pitch to BRC
05 Jun 2007
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) Internet Marketing students will pitch their internet marketing plan to Bathurst Regional Council (BRC) next week. Victoria Jackson, BRC’s manager of marketing and communication, says BRC has launched two new web sites. “This is really just a starting point - you have to get the look and feel right. After that it is about how we manage those sites. So we are tapping into where the students are – at the forefront of what is going on in the industry. They are looking for a project, and we are just starting out – it is a nice synchronicity.” Andrew Mashman from CSU’s School of Marketing and Management says the class has been broken into eight teams working on two briefs. “The first is focusing on attracting more tourists to Bathurst for short and medium term stays, while the second is looking at bringing investment to the town.”
Media Note: The second and third year Internet Marketing students will present to the BRC on Wednesday 13 June in the James Hardie Dining Room on the Bathurst Campus of CSU. Media are welcome to attend. For interviews with Andrew Mashman, contact CSU Media. Late last year CSU and BRC signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding to develop strategies to attract new business and industry. For more, see here Print this story
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