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ALBURY-WODONGA
Home > Regional News > Albury-Wodonga
Books: an endangered species?
26 May 2009
 Are books becoming extinct? That is the question which will be posed by the School of Education at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga during a public forum on Wednesday 27 May. In the first Edversations Professional Forum for 2009, CSU academics will join representatives from schools, education support agencies and the wider community to discuss the topic. While the next generation of children has embraced new technologies such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and SMS, the expert panel will explore the significance of hard copy texts. “The issue is important for educators and parents alike as children are being immersed in a technological world and we need to ensure that they are equipped with the skills to navigate that world,” said one of the forum’s facilitators Ms Letitia Galloway from the School of Education. “We need to ask ourselves 'What place do books have today in the education and development of children?'” The forum is hosted by CSU and Wagga Wagga City Council.
Media Note: CSU wine and cheese will be served at the Edversations Professional Forum from 6pm Wednesday 27 May in the council meeting room, Civic Centre, Baylis St, Wagga Wagga.
Print this story 1945 Kapooka tragedy remembered
19 May 2009
An academic whose work has raised Australian consciousness of the largest accident in the Army’s history will this week address a memorial service for the tragic event. In May 1945 at the Royal Australian Engineers Training Camp Kapooka near Wagga Wagga, 24 young trainee engineers and two of their instructors were killed in an explosion in a bunker during a demolitions training exercise. In 2008, CSU senior lecturer Dr Peter Rushbrook detailed the event in the journal, History of Education Review. “Apart from a mass funeral, where the coffins lay on four semi-trailers, and the subsequent inquiry, the Kapooka tragedy has disappeared altogether from our national memory,” wrote Dr Rushbrook. On Thursday 21 May from 2.15pm near the Kapooka Military Area, Dr Rushbrook will be among the official guests at the second consecutive memorial service hosted by the Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) Commandant Colonel G W Finney.
Media Note: Dr Peter Rushbrook is a senior lecturer with the School of Education at CSU at Wagga Wagga. He is a member of CSU’s Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education or RIPPLE. Dr Rushbrook is available for interview about the 1945 tragedy on 02 69 332564. Read more here. For media queries about the memorial service, contact Warrant Officer Class One Beatty at the Army Recruit Training Centre on 02 6933 8212.
Print this story Praise for finalist in NSW Premier's Literary Awards
19 May 2009
.jpg) Actor and author Mr Brendan Cowell, who graduated in 1997 from the theatre/media course at the School of Communication at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst, narrowly missed out on the Play Award when the winners of the NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2009 were announced at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney last night, Monday 18 May. Mr Cowell’s play Ruben Guthrie was one of six plays short-listed for the prestigious award. Theatre/media lecturer, Mr Jerry Boland, said Brendan Cowell is an immense talent whose success is highlighted by the calibre of the other nominees and by the public acclaim for his work. “Brendan has enjoyed major success both within Australia and abroad, and I congratulate him for his nomination with such illustrious company.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Ruben Guthrie was produced in 2008 by B Sharp, Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney and will be published by Currency Press in May 2009. Mr Cowell’s first play, Men, was a sell-out hit at the Old Fitzroy Hotel in Sydney 2000. He has received a number of writing awards, including the Patrick White Playwright’s Award for Bed, the Phillip Parsons Playwright’s Award and the Griffin Award for Rabbit. He has also received an Australia Council grant. His most recent play, Ruben Guthrie, sold out the B Sharp season in 2008 and will transfer to the Company B mainstage in 2009. His plays have been produced in Berlin, London, Edinburgh and New York.
Print this story Exercise and the fitness of the brain
12 May 2009
 Is it possible to exercise to improve thinking skills? This is being investigated by researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU). “The high school jock stereotype is not usually associated with great intelligence, but maybe they are smarter than if they didn’t exercise,” explained Dr Matthew Thomas from the School of Social Science and Liberal Studies at CSU at Bathurst. “We know there are benefits in aspects of mental processing from a short bout of exercise and also for people who exercise over several months. What we want to test in this study is whether there is an effect on the mental performance of healthy young and middle-age adults with just four weeks of exercise.” Residents of Coffs Harbour and Bellingen in northern NSW are being invited to participate in this new study. “We’re looking for people who don’t usually exercise. Couch potatoes if you like,” said Dr Thomas. Assessments of participants’ mental processing will be conducted by local resident, Ms Jenny Grant, as part of her Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology). “It’s like having your brain fitness tested,” said Ms Grant.
Media Note: CSU Honours student Ms Jenny Grant is available for interview on 0421 523 715. Information about participating in the research is also available from Ms Jenny Grant on 0421 523 715 or send an email. Participants who complete the three assessments will receive a report on their results and a free pedometer or handheld body-fat analyser.
Print this story Plant breeding holds key to better crops
12 May 2009
It’s hoped a trip to the Philippines will contribute knowledge towards research currently underway into plant breeding for disease resistance. E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation research student Mr Ray Cowley will travel to the major rice producing country this Saturday 16 May to participate in a three-week workshop into the practical aspects of plant breeding at the headquarters of the International Rice Research Institute. “The challenges faced by plant breeders are common across many agricultural crops and I’m hoping to learn the practical aspects of plant breeding and genetics and how they manage the breeding and plant selection process in rice,” Mr Cowley said. “Despite focusing on lupins, the research addresses universal problems relating to breeding crops which are disease resistant.” He said the outcome of this type of research can mean the development of better plant varieties which leads to improved crop yields, which in turn improves the livelihood of farmers, not only in Australia but overseas.
Media Note: Mr Ray Cowley is a PhD student with the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation in Wagga Wagga, a collaborative alliance between CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). His PhD is entitled Genetic resistance to diseases of Lupinus albus caused by Diaporthe toxica. The trip to the Philippines is funded by a scholarship from the Crawford Fund. Mr Cowley is supervised by CSU researchers Associate Professor Gavin Ash and Dr John Harper and DPI’s Dr David Luckett. Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Print this story Special feet needed for Albury study
12 May 2009
 Residents around Albury-Wodonga with peripheral vascular disease – a common complication of diabetes - are sought to assess an early detection system being developed by Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers. With diabetes now the most likely chronic disease to affect people over 50 years old, for the past 10 years Dr Herbert Jelinek and his team have been studying new and more accessible methods for detecting diabetes in patients in regional Australia. “Peripheral vascular disease constricts blood flow in the extremities of our bodies, particularly feet,” said Dr Jelinek.”We are assessing the use of a simple, hand held instrument to measure blood flow into feet and so detect this condition before nasty complications, such as infections and gangrene, can develop.” The study is being conducted through the Diabetes Complications Research Initiative at CSU in Albury-Wodonga. People already affected by peripheral vascular disease and who would like to take part in the study should contact Ms Bev de Jong on 02 6051 6858.
Media Note: For interviews on the diabetes project, contact Dr Herbert Jelinek from the School of Community Health at CSU at Albury-Wodonga on mobile 0427 681 754. Print this story Wodonga - fun, safe, friendly and caring
12 May 2009
Students from Melrose Primary School in Wodonga think the city is a fun, safe place with friendly caring people. To reflect this attitude a number of students from Year 5/6 are painting a mural. The students will take half a day on Thursday 14 May to complete the mural in the grounds of Melrose Primary, as part of a collaborative project between Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Murray School of Education, Wodonga City Council and Wodonga early childhood services, primary and high schools. The mural designed is based on discussions held by the students over the past three weeks, based on the theme 'Wodonga: a child-friendly city'. Project coordinator Professor Sue Dockett said this project “encourages children to focus on their community, what they value and expect and the ways in which they engage with the community”.
Media Note: The mural painting will start at 12noon at Melrose Primary School. For pictures and interviews, contact Ms Emma Kearney 0402 737 031. For interviews on the project, contact CSU’s Professor Sue Dockett on 02 6051 9403 or 0422 577 533, or Ms Debra Mudra from Wodonga City Council on 02 6022 9272 or 0419 521 511. The collaborative project combines the resources and staff of CSU, Wodonga City Council and Wodonga early childhood services, primary and high schools to facilitate greater participation by children and young people in Wodonga, culminating in a ‘Children’s and Young Persons’ Summit’ on Wednesday 17 June.
Print this story Faker no fake for Albury concert
11 May 2009
Outstanding Australian alternative rock outfit Faker will be at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Thurgoona site on Friday 15 May in what has been billed as the biggest concert for Albury in 2009. CSU catering manager in Albury-Wodonga, Mr Tom Hogan said it is hoped the band will attract young people from all over Albury-Wodonga and surrounding districts to the campus off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive for the show, which also includes local Albury band Free Spirits. The support group, which includes students for CSU, will play a lunchtime gig outside the new Learning Commons building on the Thurgoona site at 12noon on Tuesday 12 May, in prepartion for the Faker concert.
Media Note: For pictures with local Albury band Free Spirits and interviews with Mr Tom Hogan, go to CSU’s Thurgoona site, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive at 12noon on Tuesday 12 May, or contact CSU Media.
Print this story What is the threat of this new flu?
04 May 2009
While influenza A (H1N1), formerly known as swine flu, has not yet been found in Australia, authorities are urging the public to take precautions against infection. Charles Sturt University (CSU) is holding a public seminar on Wednesday 6 May to provide facts and dispel the myths about the pandemic which is unfolding around the global. Associate Professor in Veterinary Pathobiology at CSU, Shane Raidal, said all new influenza viruses are a threat but the mechanisms put in place by the World Health Organisation provide a means for early detection and intervention. He will address the Reassortment amongst and evolution of influenza viruses at the seminar. Associate Professor in Diagnostic Pathology John Glastonbury, will discuss The pathogenesis and pathology of the disease in pigs and humans. Professor Glastonbury’s teaching and research interests include the diseases of pigs. The third speaker, Dr Ross Cutler, holds an adjunct appointment at CSU and is a veterinarian who specialises in pigs. He will speak about Epidemiology, biosecurity and international issues relating to the influenza.
Media Note: The seminar is open to the public and will be held on Wednesday 6 May 2009 from 12 - 1pm at the Bangayarra Room at the CSU Convention Centre at Wagga Wagga. RSVP to Ms Kaz Butts on 6933 2760 or savs@csu.edu.au. Associate Professors John Glastonbury and Shane Raidal and Dr Ross Cutler are located in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Wagga Wagga. Associate Professor Glastonbury and Dr Heather Cavanagh are available for comment. See details here.
Print this story CSU specialist in infectious diseases
01 May 2009
 The international response to the outbreak of the new virus known as influenza A (H1N1), formerly known as swine flu, reveals the tremendous advances that have been made in monitoring and diagnosis of these new strains of influenza in recent years. “It is very encouraging to see the co-ordinated response to the outbreak by the World Health Organisation and countries around the world, including Australia, to prevent the influenza A (H1N1) becoming a pandemic,” said Dr Heather Cavanagh, a specialist in infectious disease and senior lecturer with the School of Biomedical Sciences at Wagga Wagga. Dr Cavanagh noted that “until we know the exact number of people who have been infected we are unable to determine the exact risk of fatality. People should not panic at the publicity over this outbreak but should use common sense in avoiding areas where there have been confirmed cases, practice high hygiene standards such as hand-washing and see medical attention if flu-like symptoms persist or appear particularly severe. This virus is currently responding well to anti-viral drugs, however, there is a need to catch it in time to prevent fatalities.” Dr Cavanagh says there is nothing unusual in influenza viruses crossing species. “But the concern with this outbreak is due to the unusual combination of species susceptible to it, the fact that it can be passed directly from person-to-person and the potential ability of the virus to further mutate as it passes around the world,” said Dr Cavanagh.
Media Note: Senior lecturer with School of Biomedical Sciences at Wagga Wagga Dr Heather Cavanagh is available for interview. John Glastonbury, Associate Professor in Diagnostic Pathology with School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Wagga Wagga, is available for comment on diseases of pigs. Read more here. A public seminar on influenza A (H1N1) will be held at CSU at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 6 May. Read more here. Print this story |
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