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REGIONAL NEWS
Home > Regional News
CSU joins forces with Friends of Woodstock
24 Oct 2006
 When Friends of Woodstock (FOW) wanted to increase their capacity to understand the needs of their clients and address those needs more appropriately, they turned to Charles Sturt University (CSU). FOW is an Albury-based non-profit organisation which supports people with disabilities and their families, predominately young people and children, by providing early intervention and care services. Earlier this month, FOW signed an MoU with CSU’s School of Community Health. Head of the School Associate Professor Julia Coyle says the MoU will work on several levels. “As well as FOW supporting the teaching of respite care with the nursing students, we have the clinical education honours projects set up for next year, so we hope to have a team of honours students working with them then. There will also be professional development between our academics and their clinicians, and we are undertaking research projects that are of importance to them. That is something we are doing in the School quite consistently, changing our research focus to be much more community driven.”
Media Note: Professor Julia Coyle is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media Print this story A really great place to work
17 Oct 2006
 “I feel very confident in promoting the University as a great place to work.” Karen Kime is Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) new Indigenous Employment Coordinator. Although she only started in the position in June, already she has held cross cultural training workshops and Indigenous staff forums. “The workshops were about the different communication styles that many of our people have. Things such as eye contact, and women and men’s 'business', are sensitive issues. Silences are often used to show respect. Body language is very different. The forums meanwhile are a fantastic way for our people to be able to get together, to network, learn University processes, and to get some training which is specifically targeted for their needs.” Next up will be the introduction of pathways between TAFE, schools and CSU and the development of a mentoring scheme “to encourage people to see CSU as a potential and relevant employer - where one could have a career. In addition, our people contribute to an interesting and dynamic workforce; one that reflects the cultural makeup of the region it serves.”
Media Note: Karen Kime is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media Print this story Seeking answers to nursing attrition rates
17 Oct 2006
According to a report published in March of this year, the well-documented nursing workforce shortage is an international problem. Nurse resignation rates in the USA are around 12-15 per cent per annum, while the annual attrition rates in New South Wales are closer to 20 per cent. Susan Bragg, a PhD student with the School of Health Science, is hoping to explore the reasons why NSW rural registered nurses resign from hospitals by interviewing nurses who resigned from a NSW rural hospital for reasons other than maternity, retirement or geographic relocation. “The idea came to me after I left the hospital system, and then we kept hearing about the nurse shortage. I wondered why no one was listening to the nurses who had resigned. I strongly believe that the nurses who have left the system hold the reason why. I think there are quite a few issues impacting on why nurses leave and hopefully I can summarise those in my thesis and then the system may pay attention.”
Media Note: Susan Bragg’s research project Silent Voices-Why NSW rural registered nurses resign and who listens is seeking nurses who resigned from a NSW rural hospital after 1 January 2000 for reasons other than maternity, retirement or geographic relocation. If you fit the criteria and would like to help, contact CSU Media. Print this story Apprenticeships a hot issue
17 Oct 2006
 Associate Professor Erica Smith from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Faculty of Education says “apprenticeships are such a hot issue at the moment”. This is why the topic has been chosen for the latest Research in Vocational Education and Training (RIVET) colloquium to be held at CSU this Friday (20 October). Professor Smith says the twice yearly events, which are funded by CSU’s Faculty of Education and managed by the RIVET CSU Community of Scholars, “have quite a reputation among the local community as a place to come and keep up to date with the latest research. The first speaker is looking at how to improve teaching practice in apprenticeships, and then we have a local speaker who is going to talk about the impact of recent national changes at a local level. The second part of the day is about innovations to increase participation in apprenticeships. School-based apprenticeships are new to NSW, and schools will learn how they can integrate these into their curriculum. The final paper is about pre-apprenticeships which is an initiative to start people in apprentice training off the job.”
Media Note: The RIVET event will be held this Friday 20 October at the Wine and Food Industry Training Centre at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus from 9am, and is part of the Australian VET Research Association’s (AVETRA) nationwide series of research seminars known as OctoberVET. Professor Smith is national secretary of AVETRA. This is the first time that an OctoberVET event has been held outside a capital city in south-eastern Australia. Attendance is free of charge and participants are invited to stay for lunch. Register with John Rosser jrosser@csu.edu.au or 02 6933 2335. For more details see RIVET (Research in VET) web site www.csu.edu.au/faculty/educat/edu/vetfolder/research Print this story 5 Nations cattle specialists visit CSU Vet Science facilities
17 Oct 2006
 The world’s leading cattle producing nations visited Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Veterinary Science Facilities as part of the 5 Nations Beef Conference being held this week. International delegates from the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Argentina viewed CSU’s Veterinary Science facilities as part of their focus on the future of the cattle industry. The visit has further strengthened links between CSU and the Cattle Council of Australia. Director of Veterinary Science, Professor Kym Abbott said the Veterinary Pre-Clinical Centre gave the 30 delegates an insight into future global animal health management. “Cattle health is high on our agenda at CSU, because it is central to veterinary biosecurity and herd management as well as research into current and potential threats to Australia’s livestock industries.” Professor Abbott said it was an honour for CSU to be able to showcase “to leading cattle specialists from around the world what we are doing in Veterinary Science”. The Cattle Council of Australia will return to the University for the official opening of the new “state of the art” cattle yards and CSU Veterinary Science Foundation Dinner on Saturday 28 October. Cattle Council Executive Director, David Inall will be guest speaker at the Dinner.
Media Note: Professor Abbott is available for comment on the 5 Nation visit and collaborative work with industry (02)6933 4353. For further information on the 5 Nations Beef Conference, Contact Selena Jensen (03) 9329 7369 or mobile 0400 626 782. Print this story India’s booming economy
17 Oct 2006
 Last year, for the first time, India passed China in economic growth, when India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by more than 8 per cent. The second quarter of 2006 saw a massive 8.9 per cent growth in the Indian economy. No wonder then that Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a high profile seminar discussing trade between India and Australia tomorrow (18 October). Speakers such as Professor Kevin Parton, Head of School of Rural Management at CSU Orange will highlight future prospects for trade in areas ranging from agribusiness to minerals and service industries. “India certainly is becoming a much more important trade partner for Australia, with products such as coal, and in future probably uranium for important energy sources for the growing Indian economy. It is fairly obvious that India can provide us with IT and financial services”. India is also the guest nation at this year’s Australian National Field Days (ANFD) to be held in Orange from 17 October.
Media Note: The seminar on India-Australia Trade & Economic Partnership will be held on Wednesday 18 October, 2006 between 1.00pm -3.00pm at the J -9 ‘Function Centre’, ANFD Site, Orange. Contact Kerry Madden kmadden@csu.edu.au Print this story A complementary agreement
17 Oct 2006
 Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine) has signed an articulation agreement with Workers Educational Association (WEA) Hunter. CSU’s Dean of the Faculty of Health, Professor Mark Burton, says “this is a significant industry partner. WEA Hunter run a variety of programs in vocational education including Advanced Diplomas in naturopathy, western herbal medicine and massage therapy.” Professor Burton explains that graduates from WEA Hunter can then join CSU and “upgrade to degree status by adding in a variety of CSU science based programs”. Ben Grushka, Executive Director of WEA Hunter, describes the agreement as “very important. It allows our graduates to project themselves into further education. We believe that once the word gets out, it will become very popular.”
Media Note: Dr Jenny Wilkinson (Course Coordinator) is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media.
Print this story XI - CSU photography graduates exhibition
17 Oct 2006
 Charles Sturt University's (CSU) graduating photography students will hold an exhibition of their photographic works at Albury's Regional Art Gallery from this Friday 20 October. The 11 students works range across a variety of photographic styles and methods, from black and white images, to colour and digital. Photography lecturer Margaret Waller said the exhibition is the culmination of three years of intensive study for Bachelor of Arts Photography students from the Albury campus of CSU. "It is a celebration of the students accomplishments over the past three years and offers the viewer delight and intrigue." The opening of the annual exhibition will commence at 6.30pm with guest speaker Dr Kyla McFarlane from the Monash University Mueseum of Art to give the address.
Media Note: The exhibition "XI", will run from Friday 20 October to Sunday to 12 November at Albury's Regional Art Gallery located at 546 Dean Street, Albury. For more enquiries contact Margaret Waller on 6051 6836. Print this story Equine lecturer returns from International Symposium
17 Oct 2006
 It’s a long way from Milano, Italy to Borenore just outside Orange. Equine Business Management lecturer, Amanda Warren-Smith, has just returned from the second International Equitation Science Symposium which was held in Milano and explored the latest research in horse behaviour, training and welfare. Amanda’s paper at the symposium, An audit of the application of the principles of equitation science by qualified accredited equestrian instructors in Australia looked at whether accredited equestrian instructors in Australia have an understanding of the principles of learning theory. The symposium was attended by almost 200 delegates from all over the world. From there it was straight to the Australian National Field Days (ANFD), where Ms Warren-Smith is assisting in the coordination of the ANFD Equine Expo. The Expo gives Equine Business Management students a chance to use their event management skills as well as equestrian skills such as dressage and jumping acquired through their studies.
Media Note: The ANFD is being held at Borenore from 17 to 19 October. Amanda Warren-Smith is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media. Print this story Cambodian Prime Minister at Wagga Wagga CSU
10 Oct 2006
 Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia will inspect the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Thursday 12 October. He will be accompanied by a large delegation from Cambodia, a country in Southeast Asia with a population of more than 13 million. Head of the University’s Wagga Wagga Campus Professor David Green says the Prime Minister is visiting Wagga Wagga as part of his official visit to Australia. “The Cambodian Prime Minister expressed an interest in seeing Australian agricultural facilities, hence the visit to our Campus.” Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter said “it is very clear that our model of collaboration with government agencies and with industry, as demonstrated with the E H Graham Centre and the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, is a model for other countries to use.” The Cambodian delegation will be briefed on current collaborations between the NSW Department of Primary Industry and Cambodian research institutions before a luncheon hosted by CSU. Professor Deirdre Lemerle, Director of the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, a joint research venture between CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, says the visit is a “tremendous opportunity to showcase our excellent research capacity in agriculture, and further develop our collaborative links with Cambodia to create profitable and sustainable agricultural systems.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media.
Print this story CSU features at National Field Days
10 Oct 2006
 The CSU Orange Campus has traditionally had a strong affiliation with the Australian National Field Days (ANFD) which this year will be held at the Borenore site in Orange from 17-19 October. CSU’s Equine business management course coordinator Amanda Warren-Smith said as well as their usual stand at the ANFD, the CSU Equine Unit will also coordinate a new Equine Expo. She said horses are an employment intensive industry: “A lot of people don’t realise that the horse industry contributes $8 billion a year to Australia’s GDP. Our Equine Business management course looks into aspects such as breeding, racing, competing, the pleasure horse industry and horse therapy. To have students working on the Equine Expo at ANFD also gives them added exposure to the event management side of the industry.” Charles Sturt University will also have a CSU course and enterprises information stand at Field Days called Educating tomorrow’s professionals.
Media Note: Equine Business Management Course Coordinator, Amanda Warren-Smith is available for interview. Contact CSU Media Print this story Monitoring the economic future of an historic town
10 Oct 2006
 Earlier this year Braidwood in the Southern Tablelands of NSW was listed on the State Heritage Register – the first town on the east coast of Australia to be recognised in this way. Now the residents will find out how Braidwood will be affected economically by the listing when the Western Research Institute (WRI) of Charles Sturt University begins its study to monitor the town’s future. Kathy Sloan, a senior research officer with the WRI says “the listing does restrict what can happen to buildings and what people can do on their properties. On the other hand, a heritage listing can be a good way to attract more tourists, and they already market themselves that way.” The study has commenced with an economic profile of Braidwood, including an analysis of the local economy. Once benchmarks are identified, a business survey will be conducted every year for five years. The WRI will then compare Braidwood’s economic trends with trends across regional NSW.
Media Note: Kathy Sloan is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media Print this story Demystifying the art of visual effects
10 Oct 2006
 Ever wondered how the stunning effects in films such as Lord of the Rings are created? Lindsay Adams will reveal some trade secrets at a lecture in Wagga Wagga this week. Lindsay is a Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Arts (Television Production) graduate, and now works as a 2d Technical Director at Animal Logic, a company at the forefront of the international visual effects industry. Lindsay’s recent work includes House of Flying Daggers, Stealth, and Oliver Stone's World Trade Center. He promises to thank CSU when he collects his first Oscar. “However, most of the work we do is in a dark room and we rarely get out, especially to something as glamorous as the Oscars. We start work when it’s dark and finish when it’s dark.” Lindsay says he can still enjoy himself at the cinema, despite knowing all the tricks of the trade. “The best effects are the ones you don’t notice. There’s a lot of work out there that is completely seamless and even I don’t spot it.”
Media Note: The free lecture will be held in Room 209, Building 14 at the Wagga Wagga Campus of CSU between 2.30pm and 4.00pm on Wednesday 11 October, 2006. For lecture details, contact Andrew Hagan ahagan@csu.edu.au. Lindsay Adams is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU lecturer returns from horse championships
10 Oct 2006
Charles Sturt University Rural Management lecturer, Sue Johnson, has returned from the Camden Equestrian Centre where she worked as the NSW Elite Horse Coach during the week-long Polocrosse Australian National Championships. A lecturer in Livestock Production and a passionate horse enthusiast, Sue jumped at the chance to be involved in this prestigious event. Held every two years, the Polocrosse Australian National Championships is attended by 400 players and 700 horses from around Australia, as well as over 7 500 spectators. Ms Johnson’s responsibilities included pre-competition checking that the horses were fit and prepared for the games. Polocrosse claims is a “truly Australian made sport” (along with AFL and campdrafting) being developed in Australia in the 1930s from a mix of polo, lacrosse and netball.
Print this story Silver and Bronze at the National University Games for CSU Bathurst
10 Oct 2006
 Bathurst Charles Sturt University (CSU) students managed to bring home silver and bronze medals from the National University Games, despite representing just a fraction of the five and half thousand who attended. Sports Administrator Jean Ryan said CSU was successful in the Women’s Hockey and Mixed Touch Football at the Games, which were held in the last week of September, “41 CSU Bathurst students went along and everybody had a great time.” Jackson Goman is a fourth year Bachelor of Sport & Recreation/Bachelor of Arts (Communication-Journalism) student and Vice-President of the Touch club. “I always enjoy going away with CSU because we are a close Uni and we do support each other. As soon as we finished our bronze medal match we went straight to the Hockey match to cheer on CSU. It is that sort of unity between all the teams at CSU that make it all worthwhile.”
Media Note: Jackson Goman is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media Print this story CSU’s virtual Mount Panorama track
03 Oct 2006
 Bathurst will once again be “humming” this week to the sound of V8 Supercars. Tomorrow, Wednesday 4 October, two of the official Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship drivers, David Clark from Optima Sport, and Michael Caruso from Decina Racing, will drive simulated laps of Mount Panorama in the computer games laboratory which is part of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Information Technology. Paull Young from BAM Media, which looks after several V8 Supercar teams said it is like the real thing. “Michael hasn’t driven at Bathurst before, and David hasn’t driven a V8 Supercar around Mount Panorama, so their first experience of the Bathurst track will be in the computer lab.” As well, CSU lecturer in Computer Science Errol Chopping, says the computer games lab is well fitted out with enhanced graphics PCs, game consoles, a large fixed silver projection screen, high powered projectors, audio systems, joysticks and steering wheels. “The lab is used to research feedback which the user gets through feel, touch and motion, rather than eyes and ears. For example, we are hoping to mirror an experiment that was done in the United States about untrained pilots flying into cloud. They have a life span of about 147 seconds because they lose spatial orientation and they don’t believe their instruments. They go into graveyard spins and spiral dives because they have no feedback from their eyes.”
Media Note: Errol Chopping is available for interviews, contact CSU Media. Media are invited to attend the simulated driving session at CSU Bathurst Campus on Wednesday 4 October in Building S15 at 11.30am. Print this story Going once, going twice
03 Oct 2006
Charles Sturt University (CSU) photography students currently in their final year of study will hold an auction of their photographic works at the Wilson Street Gallery in Albury on Friday 6 October. The images incorporate a variety of photographic styles and methods, spanning black and white images, colour and digital. Auction organiser and CSU student Sophie Koskela says the images are suitable for the home or business and “there will be something to suit everyone’s tastes”. All proceeds from the auction, which starts at 6pm, will go towards the annual CSU Graduation Exhibition to be held in the Albury Regional Art Gallery opening later in October.
Media Note: The Wilson Street Gallery on CSU’s Albury Wodonga Campus is on the corner of David and Wilson Streets, Albury. For further information on the auction, contact Sophie Koskela on mobile 0439 071 003. Print this story It’s a Yak’s life
03 Oct 2006
 A documentary following the life of a Tibetan Yak herder has given livestock owners a better understanding of challenges faced by Chinese agriculturalists. Anthropologist Baima Cuo has fascinated those attending a Charles Sturt University (CSU) public lecture with her presentation titled The Life of Yaks on the Tibetan Plateau. Born in Tibet, Baima Cuo completed her degree in Beijing and spent time in Norway before arriving in Orange. Baima’s presentation will become a documentary produced by Baima’s supervisor Professor Gunnar Haaland from Norway. The documentary follows the life of Tibetan herder who lives in Naqchu, Northern Tibet. “This kind of life is something not many people get to see, so to hear first hand about Baima’s experience in Tibet has been fantastic,” says lecture chair Kerry Cochrane.
Print this story Continuing education for the Pharmacy profession
03 Oct 2006
 “Rural and remote health practioners, like their metropolitan and city-dwelling counterparts, enjoy meeting with their colleagues, chewing the fat, and seeing a face-to-face lecture”, says Professor Patrick Ball, from Charles Sturt University’s School of Biomedical Sciences. Inland-based pharmacists will have another chance to hear about how they can make a difference to the health of their community at the third and final Pharmacy Continuing Education Session to be hosted by CSU’s Wagga Wagga and Orange campuses. Speakers include Dr Judith Crockett, senior lecturer in the School of Rural Management at the University’s newly launched Orange Campus, who will talk about depression in rural communities and Dr Debbie Burton who will update attendees on asthma research and findings. Professor Ball adds that “Professor Carroll from the University of New South Wales will talk about Parkinson’s disease whilst Mr Rollo Manning, a well known mover and shaker within the profession who is based in the Northern Territory, will talk about his work with Indigenous communities and providing solutions for rural and remote pharmacy in general”.
Media Note: Professor Patrick Ball is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media. The next Pharmacy Continuing Education Day will be held at CSU’s Orange and Wagga Wagga campuses on Sunday 5 November 2006 from 10am to 3.30pm. For further information on the sessions, please send an email.
Print this story More international links for CSU
03 Oct 2006
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) is continuing to expand its international links with the latest Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signings in Switzerland. Berne University of Applied Sciences (USAB) has strong similarities with CSU, according to Associate Professor Greg Walker, Head of CSU’s School of Marketing and Management. “Like us, USAB was formed out of a group of regional colleges of higher education and has the largest number of postgraduate students in Switzerland. It is this type of collorative and exchange agreement that strengthens an already robust relationship between senior CSU staff in the University’s Faculty of Commerce and UASB’s Management School,” says Associate Professor Walker. The relationship has already provided for enrolment of UASB students in CSU’s Doctor of Business Administration program, while CSU’s Master of Business Administration is now linked with UASB study tour programs in Europe and China. “The study tours enable CSU students to visit some of Europe's leading companies and provide a rich learning experience for students. There are also provisions for CSU and UASB staff to have extended working visits at our respective institutions.”
Media Note: Associate Professor Greg Walker is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media. Print this story |
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