 |
 |
|
REGIONAL NEWS
Home > Regional News
Acting now for a sustainable future
31 Mar 2009
 The potential of ‘biochar’ for storing carbon in the soil and improving soil health is being investigated by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and a Wagga Wagga community group as part of the University’s commitment to sustainability. Established last December, the CSU Green Office is facilitating community initiatives in a campus-wide drive to reduce energy consumption and water usage. “An initial meeting held in February attracted 18 people including local businessman, farmers, Wagga Wagga City Councillors and representatives from TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and included discussions of biochar,” said Mr William Adlong, Manager of CSU Green. According to the CSIRO, biochar is charcoal created from the heating of organic materials such as crop waste or animal manure in a low oxygen environment.“The group is interested in the potential of biochar to store carbon from the atmosphere for long periods and mitigate climate change, as well as improve soil nutrient and moisture retention and generate electricity from the heat created while producing biochar,” Mr Adlong said.
Media Note: Any community member interested in the biochar network should contact CSU Green Manager, Mr William Adlong on (02) 6933 4200. For interviews with Mr Adlong, contact CSU Media. Print this story Warm welcome for CSU academics in far eastern Russia
31 Mar 2009
 Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturers were the first Australian academics to recently visit Vladivostok in far eastern Russia to establish contacts and foster collaboration with the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and the Far Eastern National University (FENU). Mr Errol Chopping and Dr David Tien, from the CSU School of Accounting and Computer Sciences at Bathurst, held seminars and meetings with key personnel at RAS and FENU to discuss and promote shared project development, collaborative research, and exchange programs for staff and students. Mr Chopping said, “CSU computer science staff have research interests which complement those of the RAS, especially in the use of computer games technology. We detected growing interest to work with Australian universities, government organisations and industry. We even have similar challenges in travel and communications due to our vast and remote locations. A joint conference with RAS is planned for next year.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Mr Errol Chopping and Dr David Tien. Mr Chopping is Chairman of Academic Alliance International, a networking and communication organisation for academics, and Dr Tien heads the NSW section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a professional organisation for the computing and engineering fields. Print this story Galloping into holiday fun
31 Mar 2009
 With parents aware of the importance of life skills for children, Charles Sturt University (CSU) is offering its first Equine School to be held in the NSW school holidays in April. CSU will also help school students contemplating a career in the horse industry with a tailored holiday course in horse riding. “The school is also ideal for young or green horses to enable their owners to provide valuable exposure away from familiar surroundings, with horses given sound basics to go on with at home,” course coordinator Ms Cheryl Gander said. “Sharing life with horses is a wonderful tool in learning important life skills, especially for younger children and teenagers. Horses can teach things like responsibility, humility and patience – all important in everyday life.” The school will be run by experienced instructors in a safe, controlled environment at the CSU Equine Centre at Orange.
Media Note: CSU’s Equine Centre, located on the Orange Campus is holding two four-day short courses during the Easter holidays for children and adults from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 April, and from Tuesday 21 to Friday 24 April. The courses cost $440. Self-catered accommodation is available on CSU Orange Campus. For more information contact CSU Media. Print this story Graduation honours for social justice work
31 Mar 2009
 A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student who has made a ‘tangible difference’ to the delivery of community and health services in rural and remote communities has received the Lila Kirilik Social Action Prize. Ms Lee-Anne Drewery will be presented with the annual social justice award when she receives her Bachelor of Social Work from CSU in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 2 April. Now employed as the Community Projects Officer for the Central Darling Shire Council in Wilcannia, Ms Drewery was selected by staff from the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences for her work while on placement at the council in 2008. “Lee-Anne completed a service mapping project of the towns of Wilcannia, Menindee and Ivanhoe with the hope of improving service delivery to this very disadvantaged region,” said CSU lecturer Dr Juliane Allan. The Lila Kirilik Social Action Prize was established in 2004 in honour of the late Ms Lila Kirilik, senior lecturer in Social Welfare at CSU.
Media Note: Ms Lee-Anne Drewery will graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work and receive the Lila Kirilik Social Action Prize from 10.30am on Thursday 2 April, at Joyes Hall, Pine Gully Road, CSU, Wagga Wagga. Further details about six graduation ceremonies at CSU at Wagga Wagga from Wednesday 1 April until Friday 3 April can be found here. Print this story Procession celebrates tertiary education
31 Mar 2009
 Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) graduation season in Wagga Wagga will kick off with the annual Town and Gown Academic Procession along the city’s main street on Tuesday 31 March. In a spectacle of colour and movement featuring academic regalia, the parade involves CSU graduating students, academic and general staff of CSU, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and the University of NSW Rural Clinical School, and Wagga Wagga City Councillors. Wiradjuri Elder Mrs Isobel Reid will lead the procession. Mrs Reid will be accompanied by her 11 year old grand-daughter Madison Fisher, who will carry the CSU Message Stick for her grandmother. They will be followed by the Esquire Bedell, Dr Henry Gardiner, carrying the University Mace, the CSU Chancellor Mr Lawrie Willett, AO, and Wagga Wagga Mayor Councillor Kerry Pascoe. The Riverina Concert Band will escort the procession which commences at 4pm at the corner of Morgan and Baylis Streets and ends outside the Civic Theatre. The CSU Chancellor and the Mayor will host a reception from 4.30pm. Over 2 000 students will graduate from CSU during six ceremonies in Wagga Wagga from Wednesday 1 April to Friday 3 April.
Media Note: Further information about the CSU graduations ceremonies from Wednesday 1 April to Friday 3 April can be found here. Details of CSU academic gowns can be found here. Images of CSU academic gowns can be found here.
Print this story Leading Australian joins CSU Council
24 Mar 2009
 Director of the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and the former Director of the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, Dr Dawn Casey, PSM, FAHA has been appointed to the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Council. Dr Casey is the newest member of the University’s governing body following her appointment by the NSW Minister for Education and Training, the Hon. Verity Firth, MP, on recommendation from the CSU Council. Dr Casey, who is nationally and internationally recognised for her leadership of the Powerhouse Museum, the National Museum and the Western Australian Museum, has been appointed until June 2011. Dr Casey has made a major contribution to Indigenous policies and programs in Australia as well as to Australia’s cultural heritage, including. the establishment of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. She also initiated the joint Commonwealth-State response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody as a senior executive in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Dr Casey’s appointment comes as the University celebrates the 20th anniversary of its establishment through the Charles Sturt University Act 1989. Read more here.
Media Note: Further information about the CSU Council including membership is available here. Print this story Celebrating graduation in Dubbo
24 Mar 2009
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Charles Sturt University (CSU) will recognise academic excellence among its graduating students and the wider community at Graduation in Dubbo on Wednesday 25 March. Included in the 102 graduates will be Dr Patricia Logan, Dubbo-based lecturer with the CSU School of Biomedical Science, who will be awarded her PhD. “I think finding the balance of time between work, study and family is always difficult, so graduation day is a day of pride for the students who have successfully completed their degree,” said Dr Logan, who will give the vote of thanks on behalf of all Dubbo graduates. As part of the University’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, the Dubbo student residences will be named in honour of people who were instrumental in the development of the Dubbo Campus. The naming ceremony will take place at a graduate luncheon to be held on the Dubbo Campus.
Media Note: The CSU Graduation will take place at 10.30am at the Dubbo Civic Centre, Darling Street, with Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Ian Goulter, Head of Campus Mr Gary Shipp and occasional speaker Mrs Patricia Doolan attending. A luncheon will then be held at 12.30pm at the CSU Dubbo Campus, Tony McGrane Place, at 12.30pm. Media are invited to attend the graduation ceremony from 10am and the luncheon from 12.30pm. For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Celebrating graduation in Orange
24 Mar 2009
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Charles Sturt University (CSU) will recognise academic excellence among its graduating students and the wider community at Graduation in Orange on Friday 27 March. Included in the 154 graduates will be Mr Yann Guisard, Orange-based associate lecturer at the CSU School of Agriculture and Wine Science, who will be awarded his PhD. “My studies have been challenging at times and I’ve really valued the support I received from lecturers while I completed my doctorate,” Mr Guisard said. The occasional address will be given by Professor Peter Carroll, who, for the past 35 years, has worked in academic, community and hospital pharmacy as well as in medical and marketing positions within the pharmaceutical industry. The ceremony will be opened by CSU Chancellor, Mr Lawrence Willett, AO.
Media Note: CSU graduation ceremony at Orange will take place at 10.30am on Friday 27 March at Derek Pigot Auditorium, Kinross Wolaroi School, 59 – 67 Bathurst Road, Orange. Media are invited to attend at 10am. For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Securing the future of agricultural education
24 Mar 2009
 Ensuring a bright future for Australia’s agricultural industry through improved education of its future leaders will bring academics and industry representatives together at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga on Thursday 26 March. Hosted by the CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, the industry advisory day will focus on the improvements made of the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, including the introduction of work placement in the course’s final year. “Various agricultural industry organisations will attend to help forge new relationships between the employers and educators of agriculturalists and to work on plans for the future to improve agricultural education in Australia,” said CSU lecturer Dr Alison Southwell. “By working together to produce the next generation of agriculturalists, we can make our graduates more ‘work ready’ and more capable of handling the challenges that agriculture faces in the future.”
Media Note: CSU lecturer in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Dr Alison Southwell is available for interview on (02) 6933 2632. The industry advisory day will run from 8.30am until 4pm on Thursday 26 March at the Convention Centre, CSU at Wagga Wagga. A short morning tea break will be held from 10am and lunch will be held from 12.30pm until 1.30pm, when a tour of CSU at Wagga Wagga will be conducted for industry representatives. Print this story Photography students on national exhibition
24 Mar 2009
Media Note: The portraits entered into the National Photographic Portrait Prize by students Ms Kate Lewis and Mr Matt Regan are also exhibited in the H R Gallop Gallery, building 21 near car park 2, Darnell Smith Drive, CSU, Wagga Wagga. Ms Lewis also has a new solo exhibition, Thirteen: Faces of Edel Quinn at the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga. Photos available from CSU Media. Print this story CSU students unite to raise funds
24 Mar 2009
Education students and staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Ontario recently held the first annual CSU Coffee House and Variety Show, an opportunity to enjoy the company and talents of their peers while generating funds for a good cause. The United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton will be presented with a cheque for over $1 000 by Bachelor of Primary Education Studies students on Thursday 26 March at 12noon to support its invaluable contribution to the strength of the community and its citizens. Through the certification of primary and junior teachers, CSU shares a similar vision to that of the United Way – creating a strong, healthy and safe community for all. The Australian university has been operating in Ontario for the past five years and looks forward to welcoming its fifth intake of students this August.
Media Note: The cheque presentation will be held at Charles Sturt University, Ontario at 860 Harrington Court, Burlington, on Thursday 26 March at 12noon. CSU’s Head of School Associate Professor Will Letts, Campaign Manager of the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton, Janyce Robinson, and members of the CSU Social Committee will attend. Contact Sara Lam on 905-333-4955 or salam@csu.edu.au to arrange interviews. Print this story MONO uno
24 Mar 2009
 As part of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) 20th anniversary celebrations in 2009, a new art exhibition will be opened this week to highlight more than a century of Australian monotypes. The exhibition, MONO uno: Australian Monotypes in the Charles Sturt University Art Collection, will be opened at 6pm, Friday 27 March by Mr Damian Kelly, General Manager of the Print Council of Australia. “The CSU Art Collection holds more than 80 monotypes. Some of these are historically important, such as the work by A H Fullwood, ‘Valley View’, or R C W Bunny, ‘Reclining Nude’; the latter will tour in November through the Art Gallery of NSW to three capital cities,” said curator Mr Thomas Middlemost. The exhibition is one of many events to mark 20 years of CSU during 2009. See more 20th anniversary events here.
Media Note: The exhibition MONO uno: Australian Monotypes in the Charles Sturt University Art Collection runs until Sunday 3 May in the Margaret Carnegie Gallery, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Civic Centre, Baylis St, Wagga Wagga. CSU Art Curator Mr Thomas Middlemost is available for interview on (02) 6925 3666. Mr Middlemost will lead a tour of the exhibition from 11am Saturday 28 March, followed by a morning tea hosted by the Print Council of Australia at 11.45am. Print this story Cec Grant celebrated
24 Mar 2009
 Members of the Wiradjuri and wider Border community can share their memories of the late Wiradjuri elder, Pastor Cec Grant, at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Albury-Wodonga on Friday 1 May. The life and work of Pastor Grant, or Wongamar, will be celebrated at the Annual Pastor Cec Grant Lecture, which will be presented by local CSU academic and Wiradjuri elder Yalmambirra. CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers, said Pastor Grant made important contributions to Indigenous education at CSU. “The lecture will touch on Christianity and Indigenous culture and spirituality as a tribute to Pastor Grant and his vision,” Professor Chambers said. The evening event will commence with a barbeque at 5pm in front of the Nowik Lecture Theatres, then move into the main theatre for the lecture at 7pm.
Media Note: For interviews with CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers, contact CSU Media. Print this story Albury eases into Harmony
20 Mar 2009
Celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity is the goal for Harmony Day to be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Albury on Monday 23 March. With the theme of ‘everyone belongs’, event coordinator Ms Lynn Furze said the day is about community participation, inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone in the Albury community. The day will be opened by the acting Cultural and Education Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, Mr Yoni Utomo. Members of the Border community are invited to enjoy music, dance, food and entertainment from around the world, including a free barbeque. Harmony Day at CSU will run from 11am to 1pm at the barbeque area on the University’s Albury City site, off Olive St, Albury.
Media Note: For interviews with Ms Lynn Furze, and photo opportunities during the Harmony Day event, contact CSU Media. Print this story Native plants may help fight cancer
17 Mar 2009
 The search for treatments to beat such modern day diseases as cancer and diabetes is prompting scientists to examine traditional medicines used by Indigenous Australians. Native plants including Prickly Fanflower were used by Indigenous Australians and Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher Dr Philip Kerr is investigating their potential as anti-cancer and anti-diabetic medicine. “Australian and other naturalised flora represent a vast, untapped reserve of potential eco-friendly medicinal agents,” he said. Other plants under investigation include Desert Poplar, Sticky Goodenia, Stiff-leaved Bottlebrush and the well known weed Bathurst Burr which may have the potential to combat cancer. Dr Kerr says his interest was triggered while studying in Western Australia where a controversial ‘cancer treatment’ derived from an Australian native plant was being dispensed to terminal cancer patients. "For many years, natural products from Australian flora had been studied but with no apparent connection to their medicinal potential, but with the renewed interest in medicinal plants worldwide, that interest has burgeoned," he said.
Media Note: CSU researcher Dr Philip Kerr will deliver a seminar, ‘Native Plants, Natural Products, Neoplasia … and Diabetes too!’, from 3pm on Thursday 19 March in the conference room, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Pugsley Place off Pine Gully Road. Dr Kerr is a member of the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an initiative of CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Dr Kerr will work with the Phytomedicine Programme at the University of Pretoria in South Africa later this year. Print this story Western Research Institute turns 10
17 Mar 2009
 The Western Research Institute (WRI) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst is celebrating 10 years of research that has charted and informed developments in rural and regional Australia. CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, complimented the organisation on this milestone, saying “WRI is celebrating its 10th birthday in the same year that Charles Sturt University is celebrating its 20th. WRI and CSU have worked together on many projects that have helped shape and paint a picture of inland Australia. On behalf of CSU, I congratulate WRI on this significant achievement and look forward to working with the organisation over the next 10 years.” WRI Director, Mr Tom Murphy, said that when the WRI was established in 1999 the aim was to provide timely and factual data about trends and developments in regional Australia and the organisation has exceeded that aim. See more CSU 20th anniversary events here.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Western Research Institute's Mr Tom Murphy. Staff and supporters of the WRI will toast its anniversary and success at a function at the Rafters Bar,CSU at Bathurst from 5 to 6.30pm on Wednesday 18 March. Print this story CSU lecturers to coach Indonesian athletes
17 Mar 2009
 Lecturers at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Human Movement Studies have been contracted to provide strength and fitness coaching for elite Indonesian athletes. Dr Stephen Bird and Mr Ben Barrington-Higgs have received a new contract from the Indonesian government’s State Ministry of Youth and Sport Affairs, with Dr Bird leading the Indonesian National Top-Tier Athlete Program for 2009. “We are very excited by this development because this is the first time that the Indonesian government has run the Top-Tier Program,” Dr Bird said. “This program supports the top 300 athletes in 45 sports across the broad categories of combat, target, field and water. We have two physical preparation coaches in Indonesia who we oversee, and in April we will travel to Indonesia as part of preparations for the South-East Asian Games in December 2009.” Mr Barrington-Higgs is in charge of the coach and athlete education program.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with CSU lecturers, Dr Stephen Bird or Mr Ben Barrington-Higgs. Print this story Communication hosts myDay at CSU
17 Mar 2009
 By staging its first myDay at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Tuesday 24 March, the School of Communication at Bathurst is wasting no time in attracting future students to its courses. Head of School, Associate Professor Rod McCulloch, said myDay is designed to give students from the region a taste of university life and the School of Communication by making CSU ‘their University for a day’. “We expect about 60 students from high schools in the Bathurst region will tour the University,” Professor McCulloch said. “Rather than just observe, they will engage in lectures, tutorials, workshops and other student activities. We aim to show potential students why the CSU School of Communication has such a strong reputation for consistently producing highly employable, work-ready graduates for a range of industry sectors, and why Charles Sturt University should be their first choice when applying to study.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Head of School of Communication Associate Professor Rod McCulloch. Print this story Biomedical graduates to address current students
17 Mar 2009
 Recent graduates from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences at Bathurst, will return to the University on Tuesday 24 March to speak to nursing and paramedic students about career prospects and the value of their CSU studies. Senior lecturer and course coordinator, Ms Veronica Madigan, said, “This is the first time recent graduates from the School will speak to current third year students. These graduates have told me how they now realise the value of their CSU education and want to let third year students know of the job opportunities available in the health sector. They will talk about life after CSU, how they have found working full-time, and how the course has assisted their career progression and current occupations. They are very passionate about CSU and recognise that it is a great University.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. The graduates will speak to current students in lecture room G1 in building C2 at CSU Bathurst at about 9.15am on Tuesday 24 March. The returning graduates are Mr Nathan Smith (medicine), Mr Todd Swinnerton (NSW Ambulance Service), and Mr Daniel McIntosh (nurse at Westmead Hospital in Sydney). Print this story Hair loss for a good cause
17 Mar 2009
 Almost $1 500 has been raised for the Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave by a staff member at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga. Multimedia Officer Mr Ian Hamilton, from the CSU Division of Learning and Teaching Services, said farewell to his locks and his beard on Friday 12 March. Ably supported by his CSU workmates and with sponsorship from local businesses, Mr Hamilton declared his hair loss a resounding success. Local hairdresser, Ms Bree Harrison from Mayhem Hair, gave her skills to the fundraiser free of charge. In thanking everyone for their support Ian said, “I have known people who have battled leukaemia so any money I could raise goes to a great cause”. The World’s Greatest Shave ran from Thursday 12 March until Saturday 14 March to support patients with blood cancers and to fund vital research.
Print this story |
|
|
|
Two Bachelor of Arts (Photography) students had works selected in 2008 to hang in the National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. The students, Ms Kate Lewis, who is now studying a Masters of Arts Practice at CSU, and Mr Matt Regan joined staff from the CSU 