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REGIONAL NEWS
Home > Regional News
Orpheus Descending on the Riverina
15 May 2007
A taste of Tennessee comes to inland Australia through the Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) newest theatre production. More widely recognised for his success with The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams’s lesser known work Orpheus Descending is one of his most lyrical and beautiful plays. Williams gives a new version of the myth of Orpheus through the musician Val and his encounters with conservative sceptics who dominate a small town in America’s Deep South. Orpheus Descending is directed by CSU’s new lecturer in acting, Ashley Wain, and is performed by CSU third year acting students. The set is designed by visiting Egyptian PhD student Dahlia Farah, with other design roles and stage management being undertaken by CSU third year students of the CSU degree in theatre design.
Media Note: Orpheus Descending plays at the Riverina Playhouse from 8 to 23 June, Thursdays to Saturdays at 8pm, with a 2pm performance on Sunday 17 June. Tickets can be booked at the Civic Theatre Booking Office, Wagga Wagga, telephone (02) 6926 9688, or are available at the door. For interviews or further information, call CSU Media. Print this story CSU Distance Education psychology student tops University honours
08 May 2007
A Charles Sturt University (CSU) Distance Education psychology student will be awarded four separate University prizes as well as the University Medal when he graduates with first class honours at the CSU Bathurst Campus graduation ceremony on Friday 11 May. Mr Justin Harrison will receive his Bachelor of Psychology (Honours, Class 1) together with the Australian Psychological Society Prize, the Coleman's Prize in Psychology, the Social Sciences and Liberal Studies School Prize, and the W J Coote Showcase Jewellers Prize. “I did my first three years undergraduate as a distance education student in Alice Springs and completed my thesis part-time in Wagga Wagga,” Justin explained. “It is great to reap the rewards of hard work, but at the end of the day you are as good as your training, and my training has been excellent. I am now honoured to be counted as a new colleague among the CSU teaching team I hold in such high regard,” Justin said.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Mr Justin Harrison. Justin is the only CSU graduand to receive five prizes at any of CSU’s graduation ceremonies at different campuses, and he is now an Associate Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus. Print this story CSU honours St George Bank CEO Gail Kelly
08 May 2007
Charles Sturt University (CSU) will honour the achievements of Mrs Gail Kelly, the managing director and chief executive office (CEO) of the St George Bank at the University’s Bathurst Campus graduation ceremony at 10.30am on Friday 11 May. Mrs Kelly will receive an honorary Doctor of Business for her contribution to the financial services and banking industries, and to the promotion of women in leadership. Mrs Kelly, who will also deliver the occasional address at the graduation ceremony, migrated from South Africa to Australia with her husband and four children in 1997. She was head of the Customer Service Division of the Commonwealth Bank prior to joining the St George Bank in January 2002, and was the first woman to become CEO of a major Australian bank and one of the top 15 public companies in Australia. The Australian Women’s Weekly magazine recently nominated Mrs Kelly as one of the ten most powerful women in Australia.
Print this story CSU?s new senior administrator
08 May 2007
 Professor Lyn Gorman has been appointed the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at Charles Sturt University (CSU). In making the announcement on Thursday 3 May, CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter congratulated Professor Gorman and said, “I look forward to working with Professor Gorman in achieving the University Strategy 2007-2011 over the coming years”. Professor Gorman, who was previously the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and acting DV-C since June 2006, began her career at CSU in 1991. “I love what I am doing. I enjoy the opportunity for engagement with the Divisions, but I also remain involved with the Graduate Certificate in University Leadership and Management, which I sponsored when I was Dean of the Faculty, and also in developing online resources through my work as the presiding officer of the NSW HSC Online project’s Board of Management.”
Media Note: For more about Professor Lyn Gorman, including her research interests, click here Print this story A robust approach to frailty
08 May 2007
 A series of workshops on an “acutely important subject” – frailty – will be held around New South Wales and South Australia regional locations between May and October. The first workshop will be held in Wagga Wagga on Sunday 20 May. According to Professor Patrick Ball, from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences, who leads the multidisciplinary team developing the program, the aim is to optimise the care of frail elderly people in rural and remote communities. “A frail elderly person who falls ill can suddenly go from living independently to being in institutional care. But if you intervene appropriately and vigorously in the early stages, you can keep them at home for years longer. This is especially important in rural and remote areas so you don’t disrupt their life. Their social circle isn’t ruined and we do not finish up picking up the bill as a society.”
Media Note: Frailty: a robust approach to the management of frailty workshops will be held in Wagga Wagga on 20 May, Lismore 24 June, Mount Gambier 19 August, Queanbeyan 2 September, Port Augusta 16 September and Berri 28 October. The workshops are aimed at health professionals working in regional and remote communities. Contact Annette Lamont alamont@csu.edu.au or ph 02 6933 4189. For interviews with Professor Patrick Ball, contact CSU Media. Print this story Top teaching award to moving lecturer
08 May 2007
The Vice-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter, will confer his Teaching Excellence Award for 2006 on Ms Deborah Clarke, lecturer at the School of Human Movement, at the University’s Bathurst Campus postgraduate students’ graduation ceremony on Thursday 10 May. Ms Clarke’s ability to engage her students and develop them into critical thinkers and life-long learners was central to her success. “In everything she does, Ms Clarke focuses on making connections between university study and the world of schools,” says Professor Toni Downes, Dean of the Faculty of Education. “Her classes are highly interactive and always at the forefront of knowledge about teaching, a point consistently acknowledged by her students. Above all, she helps her students to see how dry curriculum documents can be translated into exciting and meaningful classroom experiences for children in schools. She does this by modelling creative, challenging and innovative ways of teaching children and always looking for ways to improve her own practice.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Ms Deb Clarke. The Graduation Ceremony for postgraduate students will be held on the CSU Bathurst Campus at the CD Blake Auditorium (Building E1) starting at 2.30pm on Thursday 10 May. Print this story Higher studies move closer to home
08 May 2007
Graduate business managers in northern Victoria and southern NSW seeking to upgrade their qualifications with face-to-face postgraduate studies closer to home are one step closer with an agreement to be signed by the Australian Graduate Management Consortium (AGMC) and Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE (BRIT) on Friday 11 May. As part of the Australian Graduate Management Consortium, BRIT staff will deliver Charles Sturt University (CSU) courses that will lead to a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Management, which are part of the University’s Master of Management program. An agreement allowing NSW Riverina Institute of TAFE to offer similar courses at its Albury, Wagga and Griffiths sites is due to be signed later this year. National Coordinator of the CSU program, Jan Knox said,,”The AGMC Programs are a innovative way of delivering graduate study opportunities to students throughout inland Australia”. The CSU-BRIT agreement will be signed at 11.30am on Friday 11 May in Bendigo.
Media Note: The agreement will be signed BRIT’s Restaurant and Function Centre, McRae St Bendigo, starting at 11.30am. For interviews, contact Catriona Hourigan on telephone (02) 5434 1412 at BRIT, or CSU Media. Print this story Enhancing Indigenous education
08 May 2007
 Kiama High School pupils will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) Dubbo Campus tomorrow to hear about CSU’s innovative Enhanced Training Program for teaching in schools with significant Aboriginal enrolments. Tracey Simpson, senior lecturer and Associate Head of the School of Teacher Education at CSU Dubbo, is the driving force behind the program. She explains that fourth year Bachelor of Teaching students, who participate in the Enhanced Program, take on subjects that explore “Aboriginal history and social justice issues, as well as working within schools and communities where there are Aboriginal families”. Todd Mackie, who attended Kiama High, is currently undertaking the Enhanced Program, which he describes as, “Extremely positive. It is amazing how the learning experiences in the program are starting to connect and help us see the bigger picture - addressing systematic educational inequalities."
Media Note: Tracey Simpson and Todd Mackie are available for interviews, contact CSU Media. Media are invited to attend the Kiama High School workshop on the Dubbo Campus of CSU on Wednesday 9 May at 4pm. Room to be confirmed. Print this story CSU sports internship gives rural athletes the edge
08 May 2007
A Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Human Movement Studies initiative with the Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) at Bathurst aims to enhance the performance and competitive edge of elite athletes from regional NSW while providing practical experience for CSU Human Movement students. Dr Stephen Bird, a lecturer in Human Movement at CSU, said the program, known as the ‘WRAS Strength and Conditioning Internship (SCI)’, offers the human resources, scientific knowledge and programming expertise that enables athletes to train systematically and safely to improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. “The Internships are open to senior second and third year Human Movement students and will give them the proficiency, skills and knowledge required as early-career strength and conditioning professionals. The first two CSU interns, Ryan Drew and Geoff Minett, will devise individualised programs with strength and conditioning activities specific to each athlete’s chosen sport,” he said.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Dr Stephen Bird. WRAS S&C interns will be required to complete 360 hours of voluntary professional placement, during which they will develop advanced planning and coaching of physical skills such as lifting, stretching and conditioning techniques for Hockey, Tennis, Basketball, Netball, Softball, Netball Officiating, Lawn Bowls, Triathlon, and Lone Star. The interns may subsequently be eligible for accreditation under the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Professional Structure Intern scheme. Print this story Graduation "is part of the journey"
08 May 2007
Media Note: The Master of Health Services Management degree will be awarded to Marlene Mackey (with distinction) and Donna Leafloor at the graduation ceremony which commences at 10.30am on Wednesday 9 May in the CD Blake Auditorium. Media are invited to attend. For interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU introduces new online environment
08 May 2007
Academics and other professional staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are being introduced to the next wave of online change. Associate Professor Marian Tulloch, the Director of the Centre for Enhanced Learning and Teaching (CELT), will introduce the new online learning and teaching environment CSU Interact at a series of seminars on CSU’s campuses between 7 May and 16 May. “In early 2008 CSU Interact the new online collaborative scholarly environment will be rolled out across the University for learning and teaching,” Professor Tulloch said. “As part of CSU’s flexible learning strategy it will provide an integrated, enhanced and evolving learning environment for on and off campus students. Because it is a complex and collaborative process, these seminars will provide an opportunity for staff to hear more about the development of CSU Interact, to ask questions, and make suggestions.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Professor Marian Tulloch, or for details about CSU Interact seminars for staff at CSU Campuses in Albury Wednesday 9 May, Wagga Wagga Thursday 10 May, Goulburn Friday 11 May, Dubbo Monday 14 May, and Orange Wednesday 16 May. Print this story First upgraded nurses set to graduate
08 May 2007
 The lack of doctors and dentists in rural areas often overshadows the critical shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs). To overcome this, Charles Sturt University (CSU), the Moira Nursing Education Consortium and the Greater Southern Area Health Services (GSAHS) have collaborated in programs that encourage Enrolled Nurses (ENs) who are based in rural, regional and remote areas to upgrade their skills and become RNs. The program takes residential schools and clinical placements to the ENs, as well as providing them with financial and other support. Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Health Science at CSU, Heather Latham says, “We are confident they will continue to work in their local communities. It is so important to support these nurses”. One of the nurses, Sharyn Maxwell who works at Tumut Hospital, said, “We already live here, work here and want to stay here. It was a wonderful experience. The CSU lecturers were very supportive and approachable. It made such a difference having that peer and financial support, as well as the support from my employers.”
Media Note: The Moira Nursing Education Consortium comprising the hospitals of Yarrawonga, Cobram, Numurkah and Nathalia was the first partnership of this kind with CSU. On Wednesday 9 May, the first cohort of ENs from GSAHS and Moira Nursing Education Consortium will graduate with their Bachelor of Nursing degrees at CSU’s Bathurst Campus. Heather Latham and Sharyn Maxwell are available for interviews. Contact CSU Media. Print this story Student taking horse by the reins
08 May 2007
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Jessica Quick is putting bridles to the test this week in a project that compares the relatively new Bitless Bridle™ to the traditional bridle. “I’m interested to see the horses’ response to the different types of bridle to discover which is the most affective,” Jessica says. “I am using horses that are not yet broken-in and haven’t spent much time with a bridle.” A third year student majoring in equine business management, Jessica will test horse responses throughout the “breaking-in” process. “I’m hoping that the results will give me a clear indication of just how affective the new bridles really are. This is the sort of research horse trainers would love to know the answers to but just don’t have time to conduct themselves.” Jessica’s findings will be published on the CSU Rural Management website and in scientific literature.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Tour gives students the step ahead
08 May 2007
 Industry leaders have collaborated with Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Rural Management to give students a hands-on look at how successful livestock businesses are run. More than 20 students attended a three-day study tour to the Riverina as part of the Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management degree. “By giving students involvement with leading industry managers we hope to influence young peoples’ attitudes and interest in agriculture,” says tour leader Rod Cox. The tour visited large pastoral company holdings such as ”Jemalong Station” at Forbes, and ”Benerembah Station” at Darlington Point. The students returned to the University with a renewed passion for the industry with one student saying, "When I first heard of the tour I had reservations because I thought I would be out of my depth. However, as the trip progressed I've realised how much I really know and could contribute. This has given me a real boost, and allowing us to mix with leading managers has helped us gain knowledge while supporting what we have already learnt.”
Media Note: For interviews with Rod Cox contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU in Ontario students head Down Under
01 May 2007
 Eight Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario teacher education students arrive in Wagga Wagga and Albury this week to work in local schools. The Canadian students will then continue their antipodean travels before returning to Ontario for their graduations in June. This will be the second visit from Bachelor of Educational Studies (Primary Teaching) students from CSU in Ontario. Last year seven CSU in Ontario students spent time in Australia, where they got up close and personal with some native animals at Dubbo’s Western Plain Zoo and described the countryside as “very rural and very flat. It’s not desert but there’s not much green. It’s brown and dusty.” One student travelling to Australia this week, Ruth Markuc said, “I've always wanted to come to Australia and I think it will be an amazing opportunity to teach there. I would love to meet as many people and animals as possible. I really want to see a koala bear and a kangaroo while I'm there”.
Media Note: The CSU in Ontario students three-week practicum will see them teaching at Ashmont Primary School and Wagga Wagga Public School in Wagga Wagga, and Lavington East Public School and Table Top Public School in Albury. The Murray School of Education at CSU’s Albury-Wodonga Campus will welcome the students on Friday 4 May, and media are invited to attend. Print quality photographs are available. For more information or interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU in Ontario?s Teacher of Excellence
01 May 2007
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario graduate Elizabeth Wild has been chosen as a First Year Teacher of Excellence for the Calgary Catholic School District in Canada. Elizabeth was in the first group of graduates from CSU’s Bachelor of Primary Education Studies, an elementary program for primary–junior teachers, which is offered by CSU onsite in Burlington, Ontario. Elizabeth teaches grade two at St. Rupert Elementary School in Calgary. She says she “loved” her CSU experience. “It provided me with hands-on, practical knowledge and experience and I was taught very cutting edge and progressive teaching techniques. CSU's program was absolutely fantastic. I really do feel like it is the best program in Ontario to prepare teachers for what the real classroom is going to be like. I think what I learned from CSU was a big part of the reason I was nominated for this award.”
Media Note: For more information, contact CSU Media. Print this story Domestic violence stereotypes
01 May 2007
A Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher says the Australian public is still clinging to damaging stereotypes in regards to the victims of domestic violence, despite public campaigns such as the Federal Government’s Violence Against Women Australia Says No. Trea Sanson-Fisher will be awarded her doctorate about public perceptions of domestic violence at CSU’s Bathurst graduation on Friday 11 May. She says although her community interviewees was more likely than the judicial system to recommend jailing the perpetrator, the interviewees thought the victim was partly responsible for the domestic violence if she had been drinking. Ms Sanson-Fisher added, “However, when the violence was severe and required a trip to hospital, the sample would ‘let go’ of a lot of stereotypes. It seems society is getting the message about severe domestic violence, but not quite getting the message about a slap or a push.”
Media Note: Trea Sanson-Fisher is available for interview, contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU wine a top drop
01 May 2007
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery has won a Blue-Gold Award at the recent Sydney International Wine Competition for its 2004 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, which was also named in the Top 100 Wines of the Competition. Wine Judge Kym Milne rated the CSU wine, produced from Hilltop grapes at the CSU Wagga Wagga Winery, as having very complex aromas and a very elegant palate. Mr Milne agreed with another judge, Robin Moody, who said the medium bodied dry red was a big wine that went well with food. CSU head winemaker Andrew Drumm said he was particularly pleased with the last comment as this was always one of his aims. CSU Winery’s 2003 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon has already won numerous awards but Mr Drumm believes 2004 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is a better wine. He believes the much sought after Blue-Gold Award is testament that CSU students are learning practices that are sought after within the Australian wine industry.
Media Note: CSU Winemaker Andrew Drumm is available for interview. For more information contact CSU Media. Print this story Age shall not weary
01 May 2007
 Proving age is no barrier when it comes to further education, Ian Findlay’s thirst for knowledge has seen him earn his fourth university degree at the age of 81. Mr Findlay graduated from Charles Sturt University (CSU) with a Master of Systems Development from the Faculty of Science and Agriculture on Friday 20 April. Seventy years after starting school, Mr Findlay decided to further his studies through the CSU distance education program after being impressed by CSU’s “fabulous reputation and wonderful library”. He already had a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Engineering and a post graduate diploma in Computing Science. Mr Findlay says, “university studies keep my head together; I like to know things”. At this stage he doesn’t intend beginning a fifth university degree, but says his research will continue. CSU’s oldest graduand is Elizabeth Brown who was 82 when she graduated in June 2003 with a Graduate Diploma in Ageing and Pastoral Studies.
Media Note: For more information contact CSU Media. Print this story International view on rural women?s networks
01 May 2007
 An international perspective on the value of networks for rural women will be presented at a public seminar at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Thursday 3 May. The University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society will host Professor Carolyn Sachs from Pennsylvania State University in USA, who is an expert in sustainable agriculture, farm women’s networks and the impact of government policy on rural women. The Institute’s Professor Margaret Alston said Professor Sachs will offer an international perspective on the importance of rural women’s networks. “Professor Sachs’ work is internationally recognised,” Professor Alston said. “She comes to us from Rome where she has spent three months working in the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation. She will speak on issues that also affect Australian rural women during drought and in a period of great change in the industry.” The free public seminar will start at 4.30pm on Thursday 3 May in Nowik Auditorium, Guinea St, Albury.
Media Note: For interviews with Professors Sachs and Alston, contact CSU Media Print this story
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Canadians Marlene Mackey and Donna Leafloor collect their Master of Health Services Management at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bathurst graduation tomorrow morning (Wednesday 9 May). Marlene and Donna studied via distance education and are travelling across the world from Canada to attend the ceremony. Marlene said it seemed the perfect opportunity to turn the graduation experience into “the trip of a lifetime. This is all part of our journey. Graduating will give us closure and make it seem real. The whole process has offered us great job opportunities”. CSU senior lecturer Jenni Brackenreg said the School of Nursing and Midwifery was “delighted” that Marlene and Donna were making such a huge effort. “Despite the distances, we make very close connections with our Canadian students and Marlene and Donna are excellent examples of that.”