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REGIONAL NEWS
Home > Regional News
Celebrating diversity and harmony
18 Mar 2008
Celebrating local harmony is the aim of Harmony Day at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus on Wednesday 19 March. Albury-Wodonga’s cultural diversity will be on show with food, music, dance and other activities from around the world. “Harmony Day began in 1999 as a celebration of Australia's success as a diverse society united by a common set of values,” said event and CSU Student Community coordinator, Mr Geoff Simmons. “Australia is built on immigration and we have a proud history of welcoming people from around the world. Since 1945, more than six and a half million migrants have come to Australia. Australians speak over 300 languages, including Indigenous languages, and practise a range of religions.” The event will run from 10.30am to 1.30pm on 19 March, next to The Shed on the University’s Albury City site, off Olive St, Albury.
Media Note: For interviews with CSU Student Community coordinator, Mr Geoff Simmons, contact CSU Media.
Print this story Darwin, animal behaviour and livestock management
11 Mar 2008
 Improved understanding of livestock reproductive behaviour is important for optimal animal management, economics and welfare. The theory is that livestock behavioural traits have evolved similarly to physical traits, in response to evolutionary pressures. A public lecture by Professor Peter Chenoweth, from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, will look at whether Darwin’s Theory of Evolution can be applied to the modern management of livestock. Only about 6 percent of hoofed animals have ever been domesticated. This figure raises questions as to why are there so relatively few species domesticated, and are certain evolutionary behavioural traits more conducive to domestication than others? The public lecture will also pose the questions as to whether humans chose to domesticate certain species, or vice versa, and can evolution provide guidelines for good livestock management? The lecture will be held from 6.30pm Tuesday 11 March at the Tumbarumba Shire Council Chambers, Bridge Street, Tumbarumba.
Media Note: CSU’s Professor Chenoweth established the CSU course in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. He is currently Acting Presiding Officer of the University’s Animal Care and Ethics Committee. Professor Chenoweth has published widely in areas of livestock reproduction and behaviour.
Print this story Students help stage Newton?s Playground
11 Mar 2008
 Ms Samantha Neal was one of half a dozen Charles Sturt University (CSU) public relations and organisational communication students to volunteer at the inaugural Newton’s Playground gravity sports festival on Mount Panorama in Bathurst in early March. Ms Neal worked with the media centre doing on-track liaison for the extreme sporting event. “Newton’s Playground is the first event of its kind and this is definitely a great experience for me for event management. Skateboards are not my thing but I loved it. It’s pretty crazy and pretty intense. I’ll definitely come back next year,” Ms Neal said. Mr Donald Alexander, senior lecturer in Public Relations and Organisational Communication and course coordinator at CSU’s School of Communication, said that events such as this one organised by Bathurst Regional Council, gives the students real hands-on experience which contributes to them graduating as ‘job ready’.
Media Note: Contact
Print this story Wiradjuri elders tree planting ceremony at Dubbo
11 Mar 2008
.jpg) The Dubbo Wiradjuri Elders group have planted a tree to commemorate the establishment of the Centre for Indigenous Studies at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dubbo Campus. The elders met at the campus on Monday 10 March to discuss the choice of a Wiradjuri name for the Centre and to hear about new developments in Indigenous education in University’s Strategy and Plans 2007 – 2011 from Mr Gary Shipp, Director of the Centre for Indigenous Studies and Head of the Dubbo Campus.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Mr Gary Shipp.
Print this story Chinese delegation examines Albury water expertise
11 Mar 2008
 Chinese water experts will visit Albury on Friday 14 March to inspect outstanding examples of water conservation. Hosted by Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS) and the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre, the four officials will inspect the Wonga Wetlands and the University’s Thurgoona site as examples of successful wetland management and using wetlands to treat waste water in the region. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for Australian scientists to interact, discuss and exchange ideas with Chinese scientists,” said Professor Max Finlayson, ILWS director and internationally renowned wetland ecologist. The wetland project is part of a five year, $25 million Australian government initiative to support and improve policy development in China in environmental protection and natural resource management.
Media Note: For interviews with ILWS director Professor Max Finlayson, contact ILWS Communication Manager Margrit Beemster on (02) 6051 9653 or CSU Media.
Print this story Shaved for leukaemia
11 Mar 2008
 Staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have braved the barber’s clippers and are now sporting sleek new hairstyles in support of leukaemia research. Five volunteers from the CSU Division of Marketing, along with several students, took part in the head-shave fundraising event at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus on Friday 7 March. The Division of Marketing manager, Ms Glenda Pym, who lost her brother to leukaemia two years ago, , shed her locks along with Ms Cheryl Wilson, Mr Celso de Souza and Mr Cade Whitbourn and raised over $2 000 for the Leukaemia Foundation. “Shaving my head pales into insignificance in the bravery stakes however it enabled me to do something very positive and in some small way contribute to getting closer to a cure,” said Ms Pym.
Media Note: For interviews with Glenda Pym from the CSU Division of Marketing, contact CSU Media.
Print this story Life without petrol
11 Mar 2008
 Escalating oil prices and climate change are factors forcing rural Australia to contemplate the implications of diminishing petroleum supplies and a local biofuel industry. The Institute for Land, Water and Society at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a public forum in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 12 March to address issues such as the implications of rising fuel costs and a biofuel industry on rural communities. Speakers include Professor Peter Sinclair, an environmental sociologist and oil industry analyst from Canada’s Memorial University of Newfoundland, and CSIRO biofuel researcher, Dr Barrie May. The forum, entitled Rural Australia without petroleum?, will be held from 6pm to 7.30pm in the Council meeting room, Civic Centre, Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga.
Media Note: For interviews contact the Institute for Land, Water and Society’s Ms Kate Roberts on 0412 983 684 or send an email. See more information on the ILWS website. Print this story CSU Winery one of NSW's top drops
07 Mar 2008
The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery will showcase some of its finest vintages during NSW Wine Week starting in Sydney Sunday 9 March. Around 100 NSW wineries taking part in the event, which is aimed at showcasing NSW wine to Sydney consumers. Each NSW wine region will highlight a Regional Hero variety and CSU will showcase its recently released 2007 Sauvignon Blanc at the Orange region stand, and the 2003 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hilltops region. CSU will also showcase its 2007 Chardonnay, which used grapes from the CSU vineyard at Orange and which was recently rated in Australia’s top 100 wines by wine commentator James Halliday. CSU Winery Marketing Manager Richard Lawson says “This is the first event of its kind to be held in Sydney. It involves wineries from the state’s eight wine growing regions and will be an invaluable opportunity for consumers to learn, taste and see the fantastic wines being produced across NSW.”
Media Note: For interviews with Richard Lawson, contact CSU Media. NSW Wine Week runs from Sunday 9 to Saturday 15 March.
Print this story Food goes native
04 Mar 2008
Australians may consume more native foods in the future as a result of new research to be discussed at the Functional Foods and Biotechnology Forum at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Orange Campus on Thursday 6 March. The research reveals that native plant foods have strong antimicrobial, antioxidant and emulsifying properties with potential applications in many mainstream food products. Addressing the forum about the functional properties of native foods will be Dr Jian Zhao from the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences. “Our research outcomes can potentially help the native food industry to add value to and better market their products and ultimately achieve growth beyond being a cottage industry,” said Dr Zhao. Researchers from the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, have studied the functional or health-promoting properties of Australian native foods for several years, supported by the national Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Speakers from government and private sector functional food research and marketing organisations will address the forum which is hosted by CSU and the NSW Department of State and Regional Development.
Media Note: To arrange interviews with Dr Zhao contact CSU Media. The Functional Foods and Biotechnology Forum will be held at the CSU Orange Campus conference room on Thursday 6 March. Forum programs are available from Mr Jack Gordon at the NSW Department of State and Regional Development on 02 6360 8417.
Print this story Indigenous education leaders in Dubbo
04 Mar 2008
 Senior representatives of Australia’s 39 publicly funded higher education institutions will meet at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dubbo Campus this week when, for the first time, CSU hosts the National Indigenous Higher Education Network (NIHEN) committee. On Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March, NIHEN delegates will consider a range of indigenous education issues and make recommendations to the Federal government through its Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (IHEAC). Many delegates are also members of the IHEAC. The Director of CSU’s Centre for Indigenous Studies and Dubbo Campus Head, Mr Gary Shipp, said “This meeting comes at a significant time in indigenous education for the University as it aims to serve indigenous communities better as the national University of inland Australia.” CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter will welcome the delegates and Ms Wendy Nolan, Deputy Director of CSU’s Centre for Indigenous Studies will lead discussions about cultural competency and the inclusion of indigenous content in undergraduate programs.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Mr Gary Shipp. The National Indigenous Higher Education Network Committee will meet in Dubbo from 10am on Thursday 6 March and 9.30am on Friday 7 March. The NIHEN was recently granted Indigenous People’s Organisational status for the upcoming meeting of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York, USA, from 21 April to 2 May.
Print this story National junior triathlon champion calls CSU home
04 Mar 2008
 He competed in his first triathlon at the age of seven and has been training only for triathlons since he was 15 years old. Now 20, Nicholas Kastelein Jnr, a third year Bachelor of Human Movement (Rehabilitation) student at Charles Sturt University (CSU), is now the 18-19 years Australian Long Course Junior Triathlon Champion. He won the title at a race held at Huskisson on the NSW south coast on 24 February. The CSU student explained that “There was no qualifying for the event, just the confidence that such a long distance can be accomplished. The swim leg is two kilometres, cycling is 83 kilometres, and running is 20 kilometres. For the 105 kilometre long course racing, swimming is my strongest discipline with cycling my weakest, but when racing short distances (750m swim / 20kms cycle / 5kms run) these are reversed.” Nick was born and raised in Mudgee and started his degree at CSU’s Bathurst Campus two years ago. “My goal is to finish my CSU degree and pursue a career in triathlon as a professional, racing long or short course events, with my degree to fall back on.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Nick Kastelein Jnr.
Print this story Shaving heads for leukaemia cure
04 Mar 2008
Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff members plan to lose their locks to the barber’s shears to assist in the fight against leukaemia. Five volunteers from the University’s Division of Marketing will shave their heads to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation on Friday 7 March at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus. Division of Marketing manager, Ms Glenda Pym, who lost her brother to the disease two years ago, along with Ms Cheryl Wilson, Mr Celso de Souza and Mr Cade Whitbourn have stepped up to the challenge. Ms Pym says “Shaving my head pales into insignificance in the bravery stakes. It does enable me to do something very positive and in some small way contribute to getting us all closer to a cure. Research is the key to understanding the disease which in turn will unlock the cure.” Several other CSU staff members are colouring their hair in support of the Leukaemia Foundation.
Media Note: The event is taking place at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus’ Crowbar at 4pm. For interviews contact CSU Media.
Print this story Uni leaders honoured
04 Mar 2008
The development of leaders and managers within Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be recognised tonight, Tuesday 4 March, at a ceremony on the Wagga Wagga Campus. CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter will present an award acknowledging the efforts of nine staff following their successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in University Leadership and Management in 2006 and 2007. The group represents the second intake by the CSU School of Business and Information Technology. The Graduate Certificate in University Leadership and Management is offered to CSU staff with the aim of equipping current and future leaders with the knowledge, skill and confidence needed to support the University in achieving its strategic objectives.
Media Note: The presentation will take place from 7pm in the Convention Centre, building 230, CSU, Wagga Wagga.
Print this story Southern Bell Frog responds to environmental flows
26 Feb 2008
 The most significant Southern Bell Frog population in NSW is responding well to 8 000 megalitres of environmental water flowing into the Murrumbidgee floodplain over recent weeks with breeding behaviour recorded at nearly every site, according to a Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher. Dr Skye Wassens is monitoring the response of the frogs inhabiting wetlands between Maude and Balranald on the Lowbidgee Floodplain in inland NSW. The endangered Southern Bell Frog was abundant until recent years, and was in real danger of local extinction. “While the initial signs are encouraging, the small frog numbers located to date indicate a massive population decline over the past six years. Successful recruitment of young frogs and their survival to breeding age is needed for the population to recover and this is not guaranteed unless key wetlands remain full for at least four months and are flooded regularly in future years,” said Dr Wassens.
Media Note: The NSW Department of Environmental and Climate Change (DECC) and CSU researchers will continue to monitor the endangered frog population. For interviews with Dr Skye Wassens contact CSU Media.
Print this story Inland researcher studies itchy seabirds
26 Feb 2008
 A Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student is examining whether parasites are more than an itchy nuisance for seabirds on two islands off the Australian east coast. Ms Margaret Watson, from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus in inland NSW, will study Crested Terns colonies at ‘The Nobbies’ at Philip Island in Victoria and Montague Island off the NSW south coast. Her study will examine how Crested Tern numbers are being regulated by parasites such as lice and ticks. The research will also look at whether the parasites are being transmitted by Blue Penguins and Silver Gulls, which also inhabit the islands, as well as lizards and colonies of three species of Shearwater seabirds on Montague Island. Ms Watson, who received an Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS) PhD scholarship under its Environmental Assets Integration Program, says “It’s just wonderful to be working on islands in the middle of the ocean and to get to visit places you wouldn’t normally be able to.”
Media Note: For interviews with Ms Margaret Watson contact CSU media.
Print this story ABC internships boost cadets
26 Feb 2008
 Cadet journalists at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) National Radio News (NRN) will work with ABC Radio after recent internships with the national broadcaster. In November 2007 NRN negotiated an internship program with ABC Radio in Sydney for three of its radio journalism cadets. The cadets, Mr Frank Ienco, Mr Cameron Green and Ms Rebecca Bruce, were selected to work for six weeks with ABC News Radio and Radio National. As a result of the internships, Ms Bruce has earned a 12-month cadetship with ABC, while Mr Ienco and Mr Green continue to work casual shifts. The NRN manager, Mr Peter Hetherington, said “The ABC internship has proven to be an excellent program and it is anticipated that it will be expanded later this year”.
Print this story Journalism student praises exchange program
26 Feb 2008
 There is nothing but praise for the international exchange program from a Charles Sturt University (CSU) journalism student on her recent return from the United Kingdom. Ms Eleni Psaltis spent three months in the north of England in late 2007. The third year student said she was the first CSU student to undertake the ‘sister-University’ exchange program with Chester University, which is about 40 minutes from Manchester. “Any new professional experience is good, and this was a brilliant life experience,” Ms Psaltis said. “I’d definitely encourage CSU students to apply for the exchange program. I produced four short radio documentaries for broadcast and the experience confirmed my desire to work in radio.” Ms Psaltis has previously spent a year in Japan in 2005 on a Rotary exchange. She will complete her undergraduate degree through CSU's Bathurst Campus at the end of 2008.
Print this story EI restrictions remain for NSW
26 Feb 2008
 It is highly unlikely that there will be a fresh case of Equine Influenza (EI) but NSW horse owners must continue to comply with all movement restrictions, so that if a new case did occur it could be rapidly traced and controlled, according to Charles Sturt University (CSU) veterinary epidemiologist, Dr Petra Buckley. The CSU School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences provided emergency assistance during the EI outbreak by sending epidemiologists, Dr Buckley and Dr Jan Lievaart, to the NSW Department of Primary Industries State Disease Control Headquarters at Orange. Dr Buckley says “Testing so far has shown that NSW is free from EI, due to movement controls and the willingness of the horse industries to restrict their movements, which has been crucial in the fight against EI. The disease eradication program would have been much more difficult, perhaps impossible, if horse movements had not been restricted and tracked”. Because of the need to protect the disease-free areas, horse movements between zones are still restricted and no easing of any of these movement requirements is likely before the Special Restricted Area or purple zone is declared a disease-free green zone.
Media Note: For interviews with Dr Petra Buckley, contact CSU Media.
Print this story EverGrazing for environment and profit
26 Feb 2008
Researchers from the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, are investigating whether perennial plants can improve the bottom line for meat and wool producers while protecting the environment of inland Australia. EverGraze is a national project, with four trials being conducted around Wagga Wagga in southern NSW. The trials are using summer-active perennials to increase the fertility rate in ewes and phalaris hedgerows or shrub belts to improve lamb survival. The study compares four farming systems based on perennial plants, that efficiently use feed for profit, as well as using shrub belts to intercept water running downhill. Results from the first two years of research shows improved nutrition for ewes and ovulation rates are up by 22 per cent. The EverGraze research team - Dr Michael Friend, Dr Susan Robertson, Mr John Broster and Dr Iain Hume - will present the research results at the seminar, “EverGraze - More livestock from perennials” from 3.30pm on Thursday 28 February in the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute’s conference room, Pine Gully Road, Wagga Wagga.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media.
Print this story CSU Winery on show
26 Feb 2008
The range of Charles Sturt University (CSU) wines available for staff, students and the local community to try and buy will be showcased on the University’s Bathurst and Orange campuses this week. The CSU Winery’s Mr Richard Lawson said that there are some acclaimed wines available. “I highly recommend the 2007 Chardonnay, which was rated in James Halliday’s top 100 wines in Australia, and the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, which won a gold medal at the Boutique Wine Awards in Sydney in 2007.” CSU wines are due to increase in price from Saturday 1 March. The CSU Winery Roadshow will be held at the Templer’s Mill Bar at CSU’s Orange Campus from 5pm to 6pm Thursday 28 February, and at the Rafters Bar in the Student Union Building (C4) on the Bathurst Campus from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on Friday 29 February.
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