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REGIONAL NEWS
Home > Regional News
Peerless tireless wireless educator retires
24 Feb 2009
.jpg) After more than 40 years in mathematics education, Mr Bob Dengate will retire from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Teacher Education at Bathurst on Sunday 1 March. CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Lyn Gorman, praised Mr Dengate as a wonderful colleague who has made an exceptional contribution to the NSW HSC Online project since its inception 11 years ago. “Bob was a pioneer in developing online learning materials for mathematics education in the mid-1990s, when the NSW HSC Online website was one of the earliest quality-assured educational websites in Australia. He has contributed immeasurably over the years to fostering good relationships with the NSW Department of Education and Training and the NSW Board of Studies, which has been fundamental to NSW HSC Online becoming a major educational resource for upper secondary students and teachers. He has also made an inimitable contribution to Bathurst community radio 2MCE and to journalism education.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Mr Dengate, who has worked as secondary school teacher, Head Teacher (Maths/Science) in a Central School, NSW Department of Education consultant, relieving inspector, and academic, will serve as an Adjunct Lecturer with the CSU Faculty of Education. Spending 35 years in the NSW Central West, Mr Dengate has contributed 25 years at CSU and its predecessor institution, the Mitchell College of Advanced Education. Print this story Lower body pain focus for new clinic
24 Feb 2009
Are your feet, legs or lower back sore? Do you live in Albury-Wodonga or surrounding areas? From Wednesday 25 February, podiatry and physiotherapy students from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Community Health will assess and treat clients for a broad range of problems in the lower body, supervised by experienced clinical educators and professionals. Problems could include lower back pain, joint pain, soft tissue injury and sporting injury, as well as developmental problems or lower limb pain in children. “The clinic provides a vital health service for the local community while also helping provide CSU health students with invaluable supervised experience that prepares them for their professional lives,” said clinic coordinator, Ms Kristy Robson. The clinic will run each Wednesday from March to June. Contact the CSU Allied Health Clinic, Olive St, Albury on (02) 6051 6922 for an appointment, which will cost $30 per session.
Media Note: For interviews with relevant CSU staff involved in the clinic, contact CSU Media. Print this story Inspiration for student teachers
24 Feb 2009
 “The most important thing a teacher can do each day is to teach so that students want to come back tomorrow.” Charles Sturt University (CSU) Ontario teacher education students were challenged by these words from keynote speaker Les Asselstine at the Fourth Annual Integrated Curriculum Conference held in February. Mr Asselstine also spoke about the importance of building inquiry into all school students’ learning activities. Other sessions focused on integrating science and social studies through dance, drama, media, technology, visual arts and literacy activities in the primary and junior divisions. Students also attended a field trip to Crawford Lake, a 15th Century reconstructed Iroquoian Village. At the end of the conference, one CSU student said, “It’s important not to ‘section off’ parts of the day, but rather to ‘live’ the curriculum all the time, connecting learning to real life at every chance”.
Media Note: CSU Ontario School of Education is located in the Bay Area Learning Centre in Burlington. For interviews with the Head of School, Associate Professor Will Letts, contact Administrative Assistant Ms Sara Lam on (905) 333 4955 or send an email. CSU offers the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies, an elementary program for primary and junior teachers, onsite in Ontario. Print this story Course change boosts nursing numbers
24 Feb 2009
Changing the start of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) nursing course in Albury-Wodonga from July to February has resulted in a major increase in enrolments, says nursing lecturer, Mr Paul Warner. “We have 46 new students starting this week, including a big increase in students straight from school. This is a wonderful vote of confidence in the quality of the CSU nursing course,” Mr Warner said. Teaching facilities for the nursing course will move during 2009 from the University’s Albury City site to Thurgoona. The nursing students will be among 1 800 on campus students who started the new academic year with CSU at Albury-Wodonga on 23 February.
Media Note: For interviews with CSU nursing lectuer Mr Paul Warner, contact CSU Media. Print this story Book launch at CSU School of Theology
23 Feb 2009
.jpg) The launch of a book of theological studies will precede the commencement ceremony at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Theology in Canberra on Monday 23 February. The book, Embracing Grace: The Theologian’s Task, is a collection of essays in honour of Reverend Canon Dr Graeme Garrett, a Professorial Associate and longstanding member of the School of Theology who has had a formative influence on St Mark’s National Theological Centre. Embracing Grace is a collection of studies written by academic staff members of the School of Theology and other longstanding friends or colleagues of Canon Garrett, and was edited by Dr Heather Thomson, lecturer in theology at the School, who completed her own doctoral studies under his supervision. Following the launch of the book, Canon Garrett will deliver the Commencement Address at St Mark’s.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Dr Heather Thomson. The launch of Embracing Grace: The Theologian’s Task and the commencement address are at 7.30 pm Monday 23 February, in the Sulman Room at St Mark’s National Theological Centre, 15 Blackall Street, Barton, Canberra, ACT. Print this story Help for young parents at hand
23 Feb 2009
A collaborative project is helping young parents ease into parenthood, especially after the birth of their child. With the help of young parents in the Albury-Wodonga region, three nursing students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the Upper Hume Community Health Service’s (UHCHS) Young Parents Program have developed a booklet titled Young Parents Survival Guide for Pregnancy. “Young parents helped us develop a booklet that fills a gap in information and knowledge for others in the same situation. It is about what happens during pregnancy and what they can do to maintain a healthy pregnancy,” said Beverlie de Jong from the CSU School of Nursing and Midwifery. Ilena Young from UHCHS said the collaborative project worked closely with young parents to develop a resource to help others in the same situation.
Media Note: The Young Parents booklet will be publicly launched by CSU and UHCHS staff and the young parents who participated in the project at 3pm on Wednesday 25 February at ArtSpace, Wodonga Library, Lawrence St, Wodonga. For interviews with former CSU nursing students Beverlie de Jong and Gretta Norden, contact CSU Media on (02) 6051 9906. For interviews with Ilena Young from UHCHS, ring (02) 6022 8803. Print this story Inaugural postgraduate program for Griffith
19 Feb 2009
The first postgraduate program to be offered locally in Griffith will start on Friday 20 February with the launch of the Graduate Certificate in Management (Professional Practice). Run from the Griffith campus of TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, the program is operated by the Australian Graduate Management Consortium, an initiative of Charles Sturt University (CSU) and TAFE NSW. Students in the program stem from a wide range of local businesses, including wineries, health services and rural supplies, with interest also being shown from manufacturing establishments. “We are very pleased that we can offer this program to the Griffith community, which provides the opportunity to study a Charles Sturt University postgraduate award course locally, with assignment work that can be applied directly to the workplace,” said Ms Jan Knox, Operations Manager with the University’s Professional Development Unit. The course is a 12 month part-time program. Graduates will receive a graduate certificate from CSU. The four key subject areas in the program are Management Skills and Concepts, Managing Operations and Change, Managing People, and Managing Financial Operations.
Media Note: Further information is available from Ms Jan Knox, Operations Manager, at CSU Faculty of Business’ Professional Development Unit on 02 6051 9430; Mr Tony McBride, Head of Campus, Griffith and Lake Cargelligo, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute on 02 6962 0450; and Ms Kerrie Staines, Head Teacher, Business Services/IT, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute on 02 6962 0426.
Print this story CSU opens wide for new dentistry students
19 Feb 2009
.jpg) As part of Orientation Week at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Orange, academics at the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences will meet the 40 students they will spend the next five years teaching. “We are very excited about spending time with the students preparing them for the semester ahead,” senior lecturer Dr Sabrina Manickam said. “As well as theory-based learning, the students will experience hands-on dentistry in Session 2 in the simulation lab and clinical environments.” The introduction session is part of a full schedule of orientation events happening at five of CSU’s campuses this week. New students, including those living on and off campus, can participate in campus and library tours, attend compulsory academic information sessions and complete online enrolment as well as participate in a range of social activities.
Media Note: Media are invited to meet Dentistry students and academics at 12.45pm, Thursday 19 February in the tutorial rooms situated beyond the accommodation at Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus. For more information contact CSU Media. Print this story Lecturer nominated for international industry award
17 Feb 2009
 As he prepares for the arrival of students from Monday 23 February, animation and special effects lecturer at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Mr Damian Candusso has been nominated for an international industry award for his work on the feature film, Australia. Mr Candusso is part of a five member team of sound effects editors nominated for a Motion Picture Sound Editors’ (MPSE) Golden Reel Award. The Australia team has been nominated in the category of ‘Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR in a Foreign Feature Film’. Other films nominated in this category include The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, In Bruges, Quantum of Solace, Slumdog Millionaire and Sukiyaki Western Django. The 56th Golden Reel Awards, hosted by the MPSE in Los Angeles on Saturday 21 February, is the industry’s precursor to the Academy Awards on Sunday 22 February. Mr Candusso is a lecturer at CSU’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. He took leave for the second semester in 2008 to work on Australia. Read more here.
Media Note: CSU lecturer Mr Damian Candusso is available for interview about the Motion Picture Sound Editors’ 56th Golden Reel Awards. Contact CSU Media. Print this story New collaboration to research groundwater
17 Feb 2009
 A leading Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic will lead a team of researchers contributing to the recently announced five-year, $30 million Australian Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. Professor Allan Curtis, a social researcher with the CSU Institute for Land, Water and Society is well known for his work in natural resource management and rural communities in South Eastern Australia. Professor Curtis says the project aims to improve Australia’s capacity to better manage ground water resources which are threatened by over-extraction and pollution. “While the Centre will examine issues around the sustainable harvesting of groundwater resources, including the interactions between surface and groundwater, there is an important contribution for social research in terms of engaging groundwater users in developing practices that make more effective use of groundwater; and developing innovative arrangements that lead to more sustainable use of groundwater,” he said. The new centre is a partnership of 20 organisations including the Australian Research Council and the National Water Commission, CSIRO and 12 universities. Professor Curtis, along with other CSU researchers including Dr Digby Race and Dr Maureen Rogers, will work to identify projects to be funded over the next six months.
Media Note: Allan Curtis is Professor of Integrated Environmental Management and Head of Campus, Albury Wodonga. Professor Curtis is available for interview. Photos are also available. Contact CSU Media. Print this story The perennial possibilities of wheat
17 Feb 2009
 The opportunities in Australia for growing perennial wheat are being investigated by Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student Ms Nicole Hyde. As part of a Cooperative Research Centre for Future Farm Industries project, Ms Hyde late last year began to investigate several key questions: Can perennial wheat regrow in following seasons? Can perennial wheat survive our hot, dry summers? How does perennial wheat survive and regrow? “Perennial wheat is being developed in the USA, Russia, China, Argentina and now Australia, by crossing annual bread wheat with various perennial grasses,” said Ms Hyde. “The result should be a perennial grain crop that has the potential to offer significant benefits in Australian farming systems, including improved soil structure, reduced dry land salinity problems, and the provision of feed for grazing during the critical break-of-season period. However perennial wheat has never before been grown in Australia, so we do not yet know if these benefits will actually be delivered.” Ms Hyde hopes to complete her PhD by late 2011.
Media Note: PhD student Ms Nicole Hyde will deliver a seminar, ‘Opportunities for perennial wheat in Australia’, from 3pm on Thursday 19 February in the conference room, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Pugsley Place off Pine Gully Road. Ms Hyde is a member of the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an initiative of CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Print this story Heading north
17 Feb 2009
 Exploring the role of design in the natural and cultural heritage of inland NSW is on the busy agenda of Margaret Woodward as she settles into her new role as Head of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga. Formerly Head of Visual Communication at the Tasmanian School of Art in Hobart, Associate Professor Woodward started work at CSU on Monday 2 February as temperatures hit the early forties. “I’m excited to be at CSU in Wagga Wagga and to be living in inland NSW,” said Associate Professor Woodford. “I also look forward to seeing the city’s contrast to my previous workplaces in Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne and more recently in Tasmania. The city has a strong but different sense of place to Tasmania.” With a background in graphic design, the new Head of School has a research interest in the recently emerging field of interpretation design, the design associated with cultural and natural heritage interpretation found in historic sites, visitor centres and national parks.
Media Note: The new Head of the CSU’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, Associate Professor Margaret Woodward is available for interview. Photos are also available. Contact CSU Media. The School offers a range of programs including acting, design for theatre and television, animation and visual effects, fine arts, photography, graphic design, jewellery, television production and multimedia. Print this story Orientation Week at Bathurst
17 Feb 2009
.jpg) New students and supportive family members have flooded onto the Bathurst Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) to get their bearings at the start of Orientation Week 2009. During his welcome to new students on 16 February, Head of Bathurst Campus, Mr Col Sharp, said he was delighted by the energy the new students brought to the campus “It’s important that new students are welcomed and assisted with their transition to university life, and we are confident that CSU will be a positive and constructive experience for students as they build their careers.” On Tuesday, students formally enrol, are given information about their courses and subjects and meet teaching staff. On Wednesday 18 February, students attend information sessions about CSU’s online services, electronic communications, learning in an e-environment and how to access support and facilities in information technology, library and student services. Male and female students will also participate in separate compulsory seminars on personal well-being and safety. Thursday is ‘Market Day’ on the library lawn, which provides a feast of information for new students about local businesses and services that they might chose or need to use during their time in Bathurst. There are no formal sessions scheduled for Friday.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Print this story Research and learning in Southeast Asia
17 Feb 2009
 Final year agricultural students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will resume their studies shortly with their sights firmly set on international experience in the middle of the year. Third year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) degree will spend two weeks visiting sites of agricultural significance in the south of Vietnam. The group will visit the fertile Mekong Delta, spending much of the time at Can Tho University in Cantho City, a major centre for agricultural education. Accompanied by CSU lecturers Dr Jason Condon and Dr Alison Southwell, the students will look at tropical farming systems, agricultural research and markets, with some time set aside to visit Long Tan, a place of Australian historical significance. “The study tour is a great opportunity for CSU agriculture students to experience the many differences between Australian and Vietnamese farming whilst still being able to appreciate the similarities that exist, such as, the loss of small family farms, the effect of rising costs of inputs and increased urbanisation on rural communities,” said Dr Condon. Travelling with the students will be CSU Honours student Ms Melanie Bower. Supervised by Dr Condon, Melanie will undertake three months of research in Vietnam investigating the advantages of using compost with small rates of fertilizers rather than relying on fertilizers alone. “With the cost of fertilizer rising, a reduction in its use would greatly benefit small farmers in Vietnam,” said Ms Bower.
Media Note: CSU lecturers Dr Jason Condon and Dr Alison Southwell, the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) students and Honours student Ms Melanie Bower are due to leave CSU at Wagga Wagga for Vietnam at the end of June. The new academic year for continuing students starts Monday 23 February. Print this story Land of the unexpected
17 Feb 2009
 A beach-side holiday was not on the minds of two Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturers as they headed north to the tropics and Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) second largest urban centre, Lae, in January. Dr Peter Rushbrook from CSU’s School of Education in Wagga Wagga and Dr Peter Wilson from the University’s School of Teacher Education in Bathurst spent a fortnight at the Balob Teachers’ College in Lae. Amid a frustrating dial-up internet service, earth tremors, the city’s notorious security problems and potholes, the educators worked with lecturers from the College, including teaching subjects from CSU’s Master of Education. “This was my third trip to the country and I greatly admire the PNG spirit,” said Dr Rushbrook. “PNG is the ‘Land of the Unexpected’.” His travel companion, Dr Wilson said, “our work at the Balob Teachers’ College reminded us how well resourced we are in Australia which we take for granted. College staff were keen to get our support for their institution’s move to become the Lutheran University in 2010.” Eager to return to PNG, Dr Rushbrook said, “there is something about working and living on the edge, using your wits to make things work in adverse or challenging conditions”.
Media Note: Dr Peter Rushbrook is a Senior Lecturer in Education and Vocational, Education and Training in the CSU School of Education at Wagga Wagga. Dr Peter Wilson is the coordinator of the Master of Teaching (Primary) course in the School of Teacher Education at CSU Bathurst. For interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story Students move into new residences
17 Feb 2009
.jpg) With the start of Orientation Week at Charles Sturt University (CSU), the first students have taken up residence in the newly completed accommodation at Bathurst Campus. University officials are pleased that 120 new rooms were completed and ready to be occupied, and that another 80 rooms will be completed in the coming weeks. CSU’s Director of Student Services, Mr Andrew Callander, said the residences mark a new era in on campus living. “Besides being designed and constructed to be environmentally friendly and sustainable, the new residences come equipped with internet access and cable TV.” The complex consists of 10 modular concrete and corrugated iron buildings paired to enclose an open courtyard. Each block will house 20 students in self-catered accommodation with ‘open plan’ kitchens and living areas. The corrugated iron, which is light, strong, adaptable and durable, shields the internal concrete walls from the summer heat to enable the buildings to maintain a more constant temperature without the use of expensive air conditioning.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Mr Andrew Callander, Director of Student Services at CSU. Similar residences have also been constructed for students at CSU at Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga, with more being built at Orange. Print this story Out of the ashes
17 Feb 2009
 Bigger and better is an apt description for the new Sutherland Laboratory, which will be opened at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 17 February. The building is a teaching and learning facility for the CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and serves a range of Schools within the Faculty of Science. Classes in the multipurpose laboratory will include microbiology, plant science and animal nutrition. The laboratory complex was damaged in a fire at the University in 2007. “With the immediate and future needs of students in mind, the $1.05 million construction project began in the middle of 2008 and is ready in time for the imminent return of students in 2009,” said Head of the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Associate Professor John Kent. The new facility will accommodate 72 students with a preparation room, solvents room, wash-up area and incubator room.
Media Note: The Sutherland Laboratory is near building 268, car park 16, Nathan Cobb Drive, CSU at Wagga Wagga. The opening takes place at midday. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers will cut a ribbon to mark the official opening at midday. Print this story Darwin celebrated in Bathurst
13 Feb 2009
 copy.jpg) Staff from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication gathered in Bathurst’s Machattie Park on Thursday 12 February to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. When Darwin voyaged to Australia in 1836, Bathurst was the most westward point of his inland journey, and when his book On the Origin of Species was published in November 1859, it changed the scientific understanding of life on Earth. At the commemorative morning tea in the park’s rotunda yesterday, CSU Professor of Communication, John Carroll, read extracts from Darwin’s journal to the gathering which also included members of the Bathurst branch of the Pensioners and Superannuants Association. Writing on 20 and 21 January 1836, Darwin observed ‘Bathurst has a singular and not very inviting appearance; groups of small houses, and a few large ones, are scattered rather thickly over two or three miles of a bare country which is divided into numerous fields’. He described conditions as hot, dry and dusty, noting the Macquarie River was a ‘mere chain of ponds … separated from each other by spaces almost dry’, but added ‘a little water does flow, and sometimes there are high and most impetuous floods’. He acknowledged that ‘the season had been one of great drought, and that the country does not at present wear a favourable aspect; although I understand two or three months ago it was incomparably worse’. T’was ever thus.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Professor John Carroll. Print this story Digging deep for a national tragedy
13 Feb 2009
 Ahead of the official start of the academic year on Monday 23 February, students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have raised almost $3 000 for the Victorian bushfire appeal. Ninety Residential Student Advisors from CSU at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga collected $2 883.70 for the Australian Red Cross appeal during training at the University this week. The money was raised when a ransom was paid by the student leaders for the return of props used during the training. The Residential Student Advisors were undertaking training as part of CSU’s Residential Support Scheme. “This initiative is a credit to these students from across CSU’s campuses. It exemplifies the widespread commitment to assisting Victorians after the great loss of life and property,” said Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Lyn Gorman. Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor John Hicks, has agreed to contribute $1 to the Red Cross appeal for every dollar donated by a Faculty of Business student up to $1 000. As other individual and group staff and student fundraising efforts get underway, the University cashiers’ offices on each campus are now donation points for the Australian Red Cross appeal. CSU is also offering its support to students affected by the Victorian bushfires. See here.
Print this story Chinese and Korean uni delegations visit Bathurst
13 Feb 2009
.jpg) Two high level delegations from universities in China and South Korea will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Monday 16 February to consolidate links with the national university of inland Australia. The Acting Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Lyn Gorman, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers, will each host one of the visiting delegations from Dali University in China, and from Hannam University in South Korea. Professor Gorman said, “The University welcomes the opportunities these visits present to build on existing linkages and extend CSU’s involvement in international education with partners in China and South Korea.” The Dali University delegation will discuss a range of issues relating to areas of cooperation with CSU, including research, academic staff visits, as well as a specific articulation arrangement in Information Technology. Hannam University officials will explore ways in which CSU can enhance the courses and teaching at Hannam University. Professor Chambers said, “CSU has had a long-standing relationship with Hannam University since 2003, and this visit builds on that relationship. We will discuss programs for teachers of English, and doctoral programs in theology.” This will be the first visit to CSU by the new President of Hannam University, Dr Hyungtae Kim.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Professor Feng Yang from Heilongjiang University, China, will also join the discussions. Among the senior CSU academics at the talks will be the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor John Hicks, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Toni Downes, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Nick Klomp, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Anthony Cahalan, as well as the Head of the School of Communication, Associate Professor Rod McCulloch. Dr Hyungtae Kim, the President of Hannam University in South Korea, will be accompanied by Dr Myunghee Kang, Dean of the Graduate School, and Professor Samuel Cheon, Dean of the Graduate School of Theological Interdisciplinary Studies. The Dali University delegation will be led by Professor Lihua Duan, Deputy President, who will be accompanied by Professor Yimin Du, Dean of Studies, Professor Zeheng Yang, Dean, College of Computer Science and Engineering, and Associate Professor Limin Shi, Director, Division of International Exchange of Cooperation. Print this story |
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