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ALBURY-WODONGA
Home > Regional News > Albury-Wodonga
VC honours teaching excellence in 2007
20 Dec 2007
 The dedication of a lecturer from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Teacher Education in Bathurst has been recognised by the CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter. Ms Lucia Zundans has been awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Teaching Excellence 2007. The annual award recognises and rewards outstanding contributions to learning and teaching within the University. “Ms Zundans was considered to be an outstanding application that illustrates her commitment to, and excellence in, teaching, and especially her contribution to student learning,” said Professor Goulter. Ms Zundans’ research interests include inclusive education and gifted and talented education. The Head of the CSU School of Teacher Education, Associate Professor Noel Thomas has described Ms Zundans as an “outstanding teacher”. “Her teaching ensures explicit connections between theory and practice, she employs a range of pedagogies to achieve effective learning and she models her passion for learning and teaching. Ms Zundans is a highly competent and dedicated academic which is evidenced by her commitment to students, colleagues and the advancement of learning within the University’s Faculty of Education,” concluded Professor Thomas.
Print this story Brain gain for CSU research
17 Dec 2007
 The NSW Government has been successful in encouraging one of the world’s ‘best and brightest’ minds to relocate to inland NSW to carry out innovative research into the development of natural herbicides. Professor Leslie Weston, from Cornell University, one of the United State’s premier research universities, will relocate to the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus under the government’s Life Science Research Awards. The NSW Minister for Science and Medical Research, Ms Verity Firth said, “Professor Weston is a recognised leader in her field of research and her relocation to the state is a major scientific coup and will cement NSW at the leading edge of scientific research into natural herbicides.” CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research), Professor Paul Burnett has welcomed Professor Weston’s move, stating it is a fantastic outcome for the University. The EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is a collaborative alliance between CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Media Note: More information about Professor Leslie Weston is available here. For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Biennial Medal for water specialist
17 Dec 2007
 Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Professor of Hydrology, Shahbaz Khan has been presented the highly prestigious Biennial Medal from the Modelling and Simulation Society for Australia and New Zealand (MSSANZ) at a gala dinner in Christchurch New Zealand. The Biennial Medal for Natural Systems goes go to outstanding contributors to modelling and simulation over a sustained period and who have a record of service to the Society. Medallists automatically become Fellows of the MSSANZ. They are recognised for their unselfish dedication to the aims of the Society as well as for their contributions to modelling and simulation. Professor Khan, who’s also with CSIRO Land and Water, leads the Rural Water Use research stream for Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, is Director of the International Centre of WATER for Food Security at CSU and Regional Coordinator UNESCO IHP-HELP. Professor Khan says "the award is a great recognition of the end user driven development and application of innovative systems linking viable production, sustainable environment and real people to help solve real problems in real catchments."
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media.
Print this story A generous breeding gift
17 Dec 2007
 A breeding, teaching and research program involving the Connemara Pony has been given a healthy start thanks to the generous donation to Charles Sturt University (CSU) by Brisbane businessman, Bill Concannon. His three year old mare, Siobhan, has been delivered to the CSU Equine Centre on the Wagga Wagga Campus. A member of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society of Australia, Mr Concannon recently visited CSU to inspect Siobhan who will be joined with a Connemara stallion in 2008. The compact size, good temperament and marketability of the Connemara Pony make the breed ideal for the needs of CSU’s equine science and veterinary science students. In welcoming the new links between the University and the Society, equine science course coordinator, Mr Hunter Doughty, has praised the generosity of Mr Concannon and his support for the University. The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society is establishing a fund to support research and education through the Charles Sturt Foundation to aid in education of their members and to support equine student scholarships.
Media Note: CSU lecturer, Mr Hunter Doughty is available for comment. Contact CSU Media for interviews or photos.
Print this story Psychologist is new Head of School at CSU
17 Dec 2007
 A leading academic and practitioner in psychology has begun familiarising herself with Charles Sturt University (CSU) following her arrival in Wagga Wagga in recent days. Professor of Psychology, Carmen Moran, is the new Head of CSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, which has staff at both the Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga campuses. She joins CSU from the University of NSW in Sydney. “I am looking forward to settling into my position ahead of the start of the academic year in 2008,” said Professor Moran. In addition to psychology, Professor Moran will oversee teaching and research in disciplines such as art history, English, history and politics, social work and human services, law, philosophy, sociology and anthropology. Further information si available here.
Media Note: For photos of Professor Carmen Moran, contact Print this story A taste of the Australian summer
17 Dec 2007
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff from Ontario, Canada, had a brief taste of the Australian summer during a visit to CSU campuses in December. As students in the successful Bachelor of Primary Education Studies in Ontario undertook their teaching practical work, lecturers Ms Janet Adler, Ms Gail Grant, a lecturer in language and literacy, and Mr Don Jones travelled to CSU campuses at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga. Their trip included a visit to meet primary school students at the Wagga Wagga Public School by Ms Grant and Mr Jones.
Media Note: For photos, contact CSU Media. Print this story Developing clinical education and community care models in rural NSW
17 Dec 2007
A Charles Sturt University (CSU) research team from the Centre for Inland Health is investigating ways of providing health and veterinary education and services in the community, through university clinics involving students of health and veterinary disciplines practicing under supervision. Educators, students, practitioners and community members with an interest or experience in this area are invited to make written submissions. The submissions must include a brief description of your current role and interest in university clinics. They must address a short discussion of the problems, solutions or benefits in areas such as Community – how would a local university clinic affect local health and veterinary service provision, Education - how would a university clinic affect health and veterinary education for students and educators and Sustainability - how can university clinics be sustained in your area. Submissions are confidential and should not exceed three pages.
Media Note: Please send submissions to Dr Julaine Allan, Centre for Inland Health, CSU, Leeds Parade, Orange, NSW, 2800 or send an email. For interviews, contact CSU Media.
Print this story Strong interest in Web 2.0
11 Dec 2007
 Strong demand for a one-day seminar at the National Library of Australia (NLA) on Web 2.0 and its potential for the library community has seen the event’s audio recording placed online. The conference on the potential of the new generation of online technologies attracted interest from across Australia. This led organisers from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Information Studies to ‘podcast’ the event held recently in Canberra. “The event filled within hours of the registration process going online. With an impressive selection of speakers and demand for the event from across the country, we decided to record the presentations and make the audio available over the web to encourage its use in professional development,” said CSU lecturer Mr Jake Wallis. The audio is available here.
Media Note: Seminar organiser and CSU lecturer Mr Jake Wallis is available for interview on telephone 02 6933 4397 or mobile 0406 857 121.
Print this story Suicide and drought
04 Dec 2007
 The reported link between the suicide rate amongst farmers and the drought is often based on hearsay, according to Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic, Dr Judith Crockett. The lecturer in social sustainability, from the School of Rural Management on CSU’s Orange Campus says that while the tragedy of suicide must not be downplayed and undoubtedly continues to be of major concern, many of these comments are based on hearsay. However, there is a lack of evidence concerning the actual rate of suicide in rural areas linked to the drought. “What is clear is that an early intervention approach linked to improved referral pathways to care is the most effective way of assisting rural people. The Drought Mental Health Assistance Package, funded by the NSW Government, has resulted in the implementation of a multifaceted approach across rural areas to increase the capacity of individuals, communities and service providers in drought affected areas to deal with mental health issues and to encourage practices that promote mental well-being,” said Dr Crockett. “Extensive evaluation of the program shows very positive results, including helping to reduce the stigma of mental illness in rural communities.”
Media Note: For interviews with CSU lecturer, Dr Judith Crockett contact CSU Media
Print this story Riverina doctors back inland health centre
04 Dec 2007
“Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Centre for Inland Health (CIH) is a valuable resource for the communities of south-eastern NSW that not only provides insight into the health and wellbeing of communities within the Riverina, but also supports allied and primary health care professionals in rural and remote areas,” said Riverina Division of General Practice & Primary Health CEO, Mrs Nancye Piercy. The Centre for Inland Health was established at CSU in response to the lack of information and realistic solutions to meet the health needs of inland Australian communities. The Centre co-ordinates cooperative research and development programs designed to examine and address the priority health issues and concerns of inland Australian communities, which also aid the Division in identifying models of care consistent with the needs of Riverina communities. “During the past 12 months the Division has formed a very close relationship with the CIH by providing support and direction to program managers through training and education, providing support for local doctors and partnering the Division in numerous funding proposals to better support primary health care needs in the Riverina,” said Mrs Piercy.
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