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REGIONAL NEWS
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International learning from others
29 Sep 2009
 As three years of study at Charles Sturt University (CSU) draws to a close, a group of agricultural science students from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga are reflecting on the international value of their course. Twenty-one Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) students travelled to southern Vietnam for a fortnight earlier this year. The group attended lectures at Can Tho University in the Mekong Delta region on fruit and pig production, as well as training and extension to local farmers. The students travelled into the field to look first-hand at farming systems on the Mekong Delta, and to observe the fishing industry and its sustainability challenges. They visited a range of dairy producers and looked at the extension program for small dairy producers, operated by the Dutch Lady Vietnam Milk Company. “I was surprised to learn that during the wet season from May to December, the Mekong River flows at 40 mega litres per second, flooding the delta region,” said Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) student, Mr David Gale. “However, during the dry season, the Mekong flows drop dramatically and salinity becomes a problem because salt water from the ocean comes back upstream. The visit to the Mekong Delta region was invaluable in exposing me to a different way of farming, but at the same time it showed me that similar problems, such as salinity and nutrient deficiencies, exist in both Australia and Vietnam.” The trip has prompted the CSU student to consider an Honours research project in an area related to farming systems in southern Vietnam.
Media Note: The third-year Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) students were accompanied on their trip to Vietnam by CSU lecturers Dr Jason Condon and Dr Alison Southwell. Students return from their mid-semester break on Tuesday 6 October. Print this story CSU forging ties with Australian Defence Force
29 Sep 2009
 The Australian Defence Force (ADF) was well-represented at Charles Sturt University (CSU) during a high-level visit to the Wagga Wagga campus on Friday 25 September. Hosted by the Head of Campus, Mr Adrian Lindner, senior officers of the Army, Navy, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Defence Reserves met with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Lyn Gorman, and academic staff from the arts, business, education and science faculties. They inspected the campus, including the new dentistry and oral health facilities, the Veterinary Clinical Centre, and the University’s television studios. “The visit by the senior officers is part of one of my priorities to further develop the relationship between Charles Sturt University and the ADF to ensure the sustainability of both organisations as well as our regional communities,” said Mr Lindner. “We are educating the professions of the future and that includes meeting the needs of the ADF. Additionally, Charles Sturt University is always searching for skilled staff such as may be found in defence force families.”
Media Note: Those involved in the visit to CSU included Colonel Graeme Finney, Commandant, Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka; Lieutenant Peter Hawthorn, Training Development and Evaluation, Royal Australian Navy; Group Captain Christopher Crowley, Commandant, RAAF College; and Mr Doug Callaghan, Chairman of the Riverina Murray Region, Defence Reserves Support Council. Print this story Knowledge networks vital for community development
29 Sep 2009
 The importance of strong knowledge networks in the development of communities was stressed by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic when he delivered the keynote address at an international conference in India earlier this month. “Knowledge naturally multiplies,” said Associate Professor Manohar Pawar from the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Wagga Wagga. “It is inherent in knowledge that it keeps expanding, spreading and growing exponentially. The most interesting aspect of knowledge is that while the recipient of the knowledge gains, the person passing on the knowledge does not lose anything in terms of knowledge. Thus the element of ‘network’ is inbuilt into knowledge,” argued Associate Professor Pawar. “Given this innate nature of knowledge, it may be relatively easy to build knowledge networks for community development in Asia and the Pacific.” Associate Professor Pawar delivered the speech, ‘Toward Knowledge Networks for the Economy, Society, Culture, Environment and Health for the GMS and Asia-Pacific’, during the conference held in Mumbai from Monday 7 to Thursday 10 September. The conference was organised by the Inter University Cooperation Program and Thailand’s Chiangrai Rajabhat University.
Media Note: Associate Professor Manohar Pawar is a principal researcher at the Institute for Land and Water and Society at CSU. He has more than 20 years of social work education, research and practice experience in Australia and India. Print this story Top honour for agricultural scientist
29 Sep 2009
An edible oils researcher with Charles Sturt University (CSU), Dr Rodney Mailer, has been named the winner of the 2009 Farrer Memorial Medal. Industry & Investment NSW Director-General Dr Richard Sheldrake presented the prestigious award to Dr Mailer at the 28th International Society for Fat Research Congress dinner in Sydney on Monday 28 September. Dr Richard Sheldrake said Dr Mailer’s award recognises his outstanding contribution to edible oils research in Australia, in particular his work on canola and olive oil. "Over the last 30 years Dr Mailer has become internationally recognised for his work on variety breeding and quality testing," Dr Sheldrake said. "Dr Mailer has been involved with the release of 22 canola cultivars, which have at times made up 50 per cent of Australia’s $600 million canola crop. His studies on olive oil quality, harvest timing, irrigation and storage have earned Dr Mailer international recognition for his major contribution to the development of the Australian olive industry.” Dr Mailer is an Adjunct Professor with the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga. He is currently a Principal Research Scientist with Industry & Investment NSW and the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation.
Media Note: The Farrer Memorial Medal was established in 1911 to perpetuate the memory of William Farrer and to encourage and inspire agricultural scientists. William Farrer was a former employee of the NSW Department of Agriculture. Dr Mailer and Dr Ketema Zeleke, a lecturer in irrigation and water management at the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga were recently awarded a Faculty of Science grant from the University for their project entitled ‘Water use efficiency and oil quality of olive oil under limited irrigation’. The E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is a collaborative alliance between CSU and Industry & Investment NSW at Wagga Wagga. Print this story CSU expands business on the border
28 Sep 2009
Current and future professionals in accounting, business management and computing can continue to receive their degree qualifications on the Border with the establishment of three new schools in Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Faculty of Business. After a recent faculty restructure, the three new schools, which encompass CSU’s five main campuses, will have staff on the Albury-Wodonga Campus and will continue to offer business and computing courses on campus. Head of the School of Business, Associate Professor Grant O’Neill, said the faculty was strengthening existing programs in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and information technology. “We also saw our first group of South Korean students start our Bachelor of Business program and fully expect to see this cohort substantially increase in 2010. We will also offer our Master of Business and Master of Business Administration programs on campus in Albury next year,” Professor O’Neill said. The new Associate Dean (Administration) based at Thurgoona, Associate Professor John Atkinson, said the expansion demonstrated the commitment by the Faculty of Business to provide high quality teaching and research opportunities to students and the Albury-Wodonga community.
Media Note: Associate Professor Grant O'Neill will be available for interviews and pictures on Monday 28 September on CSU's Thurgoona site, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona. For details, contact CSU Media. Print this story A return to Bathurst for Circus Oz co-director
24 Sep 2009
 When Australia’s famous Circus Oz performs in Bathurst on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September as the resident professional company for the 2009 Catapult Festival, its co-director Mr Mike Finch returns with it to where his career began. As a graduate of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) theatre/media course at the School of Communication at Bathurst, Mr Finch says, “My current job as Artistic Director and co-Chief Executive Officer of Circus Oz was a direct result of the CSU theatre/media course. It simply gave me permission to turn those things I enjoyed doing into a career. The drive and commitment of the staff of the theatre/media course, and the various communications disciplines around it, and our access to the theatre/media resources directly led to the creation of Circus Monoxide as an entirely CSU theatre/media graduate project that went on to become a significant contemporary Australian circus. If it wasn’t for that group of people and those resources - the workshops, students and staff - Circus Monoxide would never have come to life, and I definitely wouldn’t be doing what I do now. The thing I love about Circus Oz is that there’s something for everyone and from so many angles - it never gets boring.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Circus Oz co-director and CSU graduate Mr Mike Finch. Print this story Writing for publication in the Asia-Pacific region
23 Sep 2009
1.JPG) A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic is ready to co-direct an international action research project following the success of a pilot workshop he conducted to develop the writing and publication skills of staff and postgraduate students at the Faculty of Social Work at Thammasat University, Bangkok, on 5 September. Associate Professor Manohar Pawar, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga, will co-direct the Knowledge Creation and Dissemination project with a former editor of International Social Work, Emeritus Professor Karen Lyons from the London Metropolitan University. “The pilot workshop emphasised the importance of writing for publication, and was part of the proposed Knowledge Creation and Dissemination Project which aims to enhance academic writing for publication skills development. Participants’ evaluation showed the usefulness of the workshop, and the need for such workshops with a longer duration. After successful funding, the project workshop will be offered to social work educators and researchers elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region at their invitation,” Professor Pawar said.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Associate Professor Manohar Pawar. Print this story CSU research leader addresses gala business dinner
22 Sep 2009
 The guest speaker at the annual the Gala Business Dinner 09 in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 24 September will be Professor Sue Thomas, the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Charles Sturt University (CSU). Professor Thomas will speak on ‘Building Business with Research’. Professor Thomas joined CSU from the University of Canberra last month where she was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research). Read more about Professor Thomas here. The Gala Business Dinner 09 will be hosted by CSU, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and Wagga Wagga City Council from 7pm at the Garden Court Restaurant in the Botanic Gardens in Wagga Wagga.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Print this story NAIDOC at CSU Wagga Wagga
22 Sep 2009
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga is marking the National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration (NAIDOC) with performances, guest speakers and artwork displays on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September. CSU’s Manager of Indigenous Student Services, Mr Ray Eldridge, said NAIDOC is a very significant part of the Australian Aboriginal calendar of events, with its origins in the 1930s when William Ferguson commenced his fight for the rights of Aboriginal people, giving impetus to the May 1967 Referendum. “This year’s celebrations will commence with a Welcome to Country from Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Isabel Reid, and will include didgeridoo playing, poetry readings, performances from Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural and Development Centre, and a display of artworks from students Mr Wayne Simon and Ms Melanie Evans. NAIDOC is a time for reflection and sharing stories with visiting and local Indigenous people.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media for interviews with CSU’s Manager of Indigenous Student Services, Mr Ray Eldridge. NAIDOC celebrations on Tuesday 22 September commenced at 10am and included a flag raising ceremony by Aunty Isabel Reid and Wagga Wagga Mayor Cr Kerry Pascoe, didgeridoo performance by Mr Dane Simpson, and a performance of ‘Wiradjuri Echoes’. The performance by Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural and Development Centre, poetry readings by Mr John Muk Muk Burke and student art exhibition will take place on Wednesday 23 September.
CSU offers its Indigenous students academic, personal and cultural support through its Indigenous Support Service. Read more about Ngungilanna - Indigenous Student Services at Wagga Wagga here.
Print this story Ceremony honours CSU pioneers
22 Sep 2009
As part of Charles Sturt University's (CSU) 20th Anniversary celebrations in 2009, the University Council will name several student residences in honour of pioneers of higher education for the University in Albury-Wodonga. An official ceremony will be held at CSU at Albury-Wodonga on its Thurgoona site at 2.15pm on Thursday 24 September. Student residential houses will be named after former Head of Albury-Wodonga Campus and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor David Battersby; former member of the University Council and CEO of the Hume Building Society, Dr William Hanrahan; and former director of the Albury Campus and noted local and national historian, Adjunct Associate Professor Bruce Pennay, OAM. CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, said, “The naming of these residences is one way of recognising the huge contribution and legacy of these three people.” Members of the Albury-Wodonga community have been invited to the ceremony with CSU staff and students, to be held in the Gums Café on CSU’s Thurgoona site, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.
Media Note: For interviews and pictures on Thursday 24 September, contact CSU Media. Print this story Catapult Festival returns to Bathurst
22 Sep 2009
Students from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication will fill several roles in the biennial Catapult Festival for young performers which will launch in Bathurst on Wednesday 23 September. To fulfil requirements for their major work research projects, which are marked by an external examiner for the subject ‘theatre/media workshop’, third-year students in the theatre/media course, Ms Georgia Prince, Ms Stephanie McLelland, and Ms Alice James, are working directly with Ms Kylie Shead, the festival coordinator and creative producer of the Local Stages program at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre. “The Catapult Festival is a truly national festival now, with performing groups travelling from most Australian states and territories to participate,” Ms Shead said. “The contribution of CSU theatre/media students is invaluable. In addition to the third-year students, all second-year students in the subject ‘devised theatre’ contribute in a variety of production roles that form the basis of an assessment for them in that subject.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. The Catapult Festival is co-hosted by the School of Communication theatre/media course. Circus Oz is the resident professional company for 2009, and Board members of the Australian Circus and Physical Theatre Association (ACAPTA) will attend. The first Catapult Festival in 2005 received vital financial support from the then CSU Mitchell Foundation Trust, and has subsequently received numerous grants from national and state arts funding bodies. Print this story CSU on the ball for grand final
22 Sep 2009
 The football (soccer) coach at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange believes the change in demographics at the campus has contributed to the team playing in the Orange District A Grade Competition grand final this Saturday 26 September. Dr Scott Andrew, lecturer at the School of Biomedical Sciences said, "There are definitely more students to select from this year and it has improved our source of players." This is the third year that CSU at Orange has fielded a side in the men’s A Grade competition and the second year for the women's team. Another factor that has helped develop the team has been the new multi-purpose field at CSU’s Orange Campus. “Full flood lighting will be erected around the field next year so we can play night games,” Dr Andrew said. The CSU Orange team is made up of students and two University academics, and is sponsored by Hotel Orange and Hogan’s Pharmacy.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story What makes art?
22 Sep 2009
 The relevance of art in the age of blockbuster exhibitions, video games and reality television will be explored during a free public lecture in Tumut on Wednesday 30 September by artist, writer, curator and Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic Dr Johannes Klabbers. “Only art which has truth and beauty in equal measures is able to move people,” said Dr Klabbers from the School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga where he is postgraduate coordinator and course coordinator of the Master of Arts Practice. “The rest is either interior decorating or entertainment.” Dr Klabbers is targeting his informal presentation, ‘Looking at, and Making, Art in the 21st Century’ at art lovers, arts practitioners and those who do not understand art but would like to. The CSU lecturer will also discuss exhibitions he has curated and would like to curate, as well as showing visual and audio documentation of his works. The free public lecture, which is co-hosted by CSU and Tumut Shire Council, will be held from 6pm on Wednesday 30 September in the Montreal Community Theatre, Russell Street, Tumut. CSU wines and cheeses will be served after the lecture.
Media Note: Dr Johannes Klabbers is available for interview on mobile 0412 327 198. Print this story Falcon eggs arrive early at CSU
22 Sep 2009
 As the new School of Dentistry and Health Sciences building nears completion below, the peregrine falcons at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange have been busily working on their own creations, with three eggs hatched in the campus’s landmark water tower. “We have been working very hard on the completion of a new nesting box, designed and built to ensure more room for the birds to roost, and better access for our cameras,” said Ms Cilla Kinross, a lecturer at the CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at Orange. “Unfortunately the female falcon has laid her eggs two months earlier than last year, so we weren’t able to install the new roost in time. At least she seems happy with the old roost, otherwise she would not have re-nested in the same box.” If all goes well, the eggs are due to hatch in early October. The sole survivor of two eggs hatched last year was named Migii, the Aboriginal name for ‘lightning’ due to the water tower being struck by lightning a few days prior to it hatching.
Media Note: For interviews or more information contact CSU Media. Print this story Redkite scholarship for CSU journalism graduate
22 Sep 2009
A former Charles Sturt University (CSU) journalism student has been awarded a $500 scholarship by leading childhood cancer support charity Redkite to assist her to advance her career. Ms Angela Lavoipierre, who studied journalism at the CSU School of Communication at Bathurst, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia just before she began her Higher School Certificate. Despite receiving chemotherapy and treatment throughout school and university, Ms Lavoipierre has worked hard and excelled at her studies. “I’m surprised and delighted to receive this scholarship and intend to use it to undertake freelance work,” Ms Lavoipierre said. “I plan to focus my stories on social justice issues in remote parts of New South Wales as they are often missed because they are too far out of the way for media attention.” Ms Lavoipierre is currently working as a journalist at ABC Radio News in Sydney.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Ms Angela Lavoipierre. Redkite is one of Australia’s leading childhood cancer support charities and has been providing professional care for over 25 years to children, young people and their families by providing essential support services which are responsive to families’ needs. Redkite receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of the community to provide these services. The 2009 Redkite Scholarship Program is made possible through the support of Merrill Lynch, and 29 scholarships were awarded nationally. For more information on Redkite and the Dare to Dream Scholarship Program, click here. Print this story Growth at a climate cost
22 Sep 2009
 A leading public intellectual and author will be in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 22 September to pose probing questions about climate change and economic growth. The free public lecture by Professor Clive Hamilton, AM, Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor’s Chair and Professor of Public Ethics at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) will examine Australia’s pre-occupation with economic growth and question whether the need to halt climate change will be sacrificed for short term prosperity. Professor Hamilton founded ‘think-tank’ The Australia Institute and was its executive director for 14 years until 2008. He has published widely, including books Growth Fetish (2003), Scorcher: The Dirty Politics Of Climate Change (2007) and more recently, The Freedom Paradox (2008), a look at the meaning of freedom and morality in the modern world. In 2009, Professor Hamilton was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for services to public debate and policy development, particularly in the fields of climate change, sustainability and societal trends. Professor Hamilton’s public lecture, ‘Growth Fetishism and the Climate Crisis’ is hosted by Charles Sturt University and Wagga Wagga City Council.
Media Note: The public lecture will be held from 6pm Tuesday 22 September in the Council Meeting Room, Civic Centre, Baylis St, Wagga Wagga. CSU wines and cheeses will be served after the free lecture. RSVP to Ms Karen Jamieson from CSU on 02 6933 2221 or send an email. kjamieson@csu.edu.au. Professor of Public Ethics Clive Hamilton is available for interviews. CAPPE is a joint initiative of, Charles Sturt University , the Australian National University, and the University of Melbourne. It is an Australian Research Centre (ARC) Special Research Centre and is the world’s largest concentration of applied philosophers. Print this story Early childhood takes first steps in Ontario
15 Sep 2009
 September has seen the start of a new course at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario, Canada, that aims to increase access to early childhood specialist degrees in Ontario. Twenty-three students were welcomed into the new Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies at the Burlington campus, which was developed in partnership with faculty from Sheridan and Mohawk Colleges. The program director, Dr Pat Dickinson, says, “The students, who have completed a two-year Early Childhood Diploma at an Ontario college with a B average, can now complete the four year Honours Bachelor’s degree with two years of full-time study with CSU. As with the existing Bachelor of Primary Education Studies already offered at CSU in Ontario, this course has both Australian and Canadian faculty offering broad experiences to these students.” The course is one of only a few available in Ontario which provide early childhood educators with full credit for their two year diploma. CSU will accept more students into this program in January 2010.
Media Note: For interviews with program director Dr Pat Dickinson on the new Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies course at CSU in Ontario, call 905 333 4955. Print this story Dubbo ceremony to start new CSU dental clinic
15 Sep 2009
.jpg) A sod-turning ceremony at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Dubbo on Wednesday 16 September will mark the start of the building program for the new University Dental and Oral Health Clinic which is part of the CSU School of Dentistry and Health Sciences. The Foundation Head of the School, Professor Ward Massey, said, “This is any exciting day for the University in Dubbo and when completed the clinic will enhance the practical opportunities for our students and dental care for the community of Dubbo and the surrounding region.” The dental clinic is a joint initiative of CSU, the Greater Western Area Health Service, and the University of Sydney, and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2010 at a cost in excess of $8 million. The first sod of soil will be turned by the Hon. Mr Mark Butler, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, representing the Prime Minister. Also attending are members of State Parliament, dignitaries from CSU and its partner institutions, the Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, councillors from surrounding areas, Wiradjuri elders, and staff and students.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. The ceremony will start at 2pm on Wednesday 16 September at Charles Sturt University at Dubbo. Print this story Federal Minister to attend Indigenous mental health student conference
15 Sep 2009
 The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, will officially open a conference of Indigenous mental health students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga on Friday 18 September. Twenty-one students of the University’s Djirruwang Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Program will travel from across Australia to attend the conference entitled Professional Issues in Aboriginal Mental Health. During the two-day conference, the students will deliver 10-minute presentations as part of their Bachelor of Health Sciences (Mental Health) degree. The Djirruwang program educates Indigenous mental health workers for mainstream mental health, community mental health services, Aboriginal organisations and Aboriginal community controlled health services. “We are delighted the Minister responsible for Indigenous health will be able to see first-hand the quality of our students training to be mental health workers for their communities,” said Director of the Djirruwang program at CSU, Mr Wayne Rigby.
Media Note: The Professional Issues in Aboriginal Mental Health Conference will be held from 9am to 4.30pm on Friday 18 September and Saturday 19 September at the Convention Centre, CSU at Wagga Wagga. The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery the Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, will address the students in the Djirruwang program from 10am on Friday 18 September. CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, will also address the conference from 9.40am. A morning tea break will be held from 10.30am to 10.50am. Djirruwang program Director Mr Wayne Rigby is available for interviewed on 02 6933 4202. Read more about the Djirruwang program here.
Print this story Natural environment on show at Thurgoona
15 Sep 2009
To help celebrate the rejuvenating natural environment found on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Thurgoona site, Dr John Rafferty, lecturer at the Murray School of Education, will conduct tours of the campus to highlight its environmentally sensitive buildings, water management and campus wetlands, as well as its native fauna and flora. “The tours are part of Biodiversity Month, which aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity across Australia and the world,” Dr Rafferty said. Single tours starting at 10am on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September will leave from the Thurgoona Learning Commons. A bird display from the collection of Dr David Watson, Associate Professor from the School of Environmental Sciences, will also be held in the Learning Commons. Tour bookings can be made at the loans desk at the Thurgoona Learning Commons, or call (02) 6051 9812.
Media Note: For interviews with Dr Rafferty, contact CSU Media. The Learning Commons on CSU’s Thurgoona site can be reached via Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona. Print this story |
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