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BATHURST
Home > Regional News > Bathurst
Atheism examined
16 Oct 2007
 Competing views on the role of God will be the subject of a public lecture in Orange next week. Titled Richard Dawkins’ burka – is his world view too narrow?, Professor David Goldney, Adjunct Professor at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Rural Management, will discuss The God Delusion, by British scientist and academic Professor Richard Dawkins. Although both are scientists, Professor Goldney is a self-described ‘Christian in the evangelical-orthodox tradition’. Professor Dawkins is an atheist, who currently holds the Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford. “In the lecture I will examine Professor Dawkins’ major arguments and what I see as the common ground between Dawkin’s and my views, as well as areas where there is significant disagreement,” Professor Goldney said. “I will also chart a way forward to ensure that this debate will be constructive and life-changing, rather than vitriolic and life-denying.” The public lecture will be held at the conference room, CSU Orange Campus, Leeds Parade, at 6pm on Wednesday 24 October. CSU wine and cheese will be served after the lecture.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Professor David Goldney.
Print this story Improving education for young rural Australians
16 Oct 2007
Two innovative Charles Sturt University (CSU) research projects will focus on delivering improved education to the population of rural Australia. CSU researchers, lead by senior lecturer at the School of Teacher Education, Dr Linda Harrison, will conduct research into improving and maintaining quality and access in centre-based, government-regulated child care in Australia. Of major concern to CSU researchers is improving the adverse outcomes of poor quality child care, especially for more vulnerable children. A second CSU research team, headed by Professor Jo-Anne Reid, Associate Dean at the Faculty of Education, will focus on renewing rural teacher education and sustaining schooling for sustainable communities, in an attempt to avert a national crisis in attracting teachers and other professionals to rural areas. The two CSU research projects will receive over half a million dollars over the next three years under the Federal Government’s Discovery grant scheme.
Media Note: The Discovery grants are contained in the latest Australian Research Council funding round and were selected from a record number of 4 834 applications. For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Lung checks in the Calare electorate
09 Oct 2007
 A Charles Sturt University (CSU) research project aims to estimate the number of people aged 55 to 75 years with respiratory disease in the Federal electorate of Calare. Dr Debbie Burton, a senior lecturer and Associate Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU’s Orange Campus, says the project will screen a sample of people for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). “People generally know if they have asthma but because the loss of lung function occurs slowly and progressively with COPD many people don’t know they have the problem until their lung function is reduced to 50% of normal. They put their shortness of breath down to ageing or lack of fitness,” Dr Burton said. “The delay in diagnosis of COPD increases the risk of also getting heart problems, but once a diagnosis is made, people can be managed medically, so the quality of life can be improved and the diseases progresses at a slower rate”. The results of this study will be used to identify ways to more easily screen people in the age range most likely to have COPD so as to detect the disease earlier. If you are aged 55 to 75 years, live in the Calare electoral district and are interested in participating in the lung health screening project, please call Dr Debbie Burton on (02) 6365 7828 or Ms Natalie Milic (02) 6365 7774.
Media Note: For interviews, contact CSU Media.
Print this story Wanted: healthy young men
09 Oct 2007
Healthy and physically active men aged between 18 and 35 are required for Charles Sturt University (CSU) research into the central nervous system and exercise. The research is being carried out by Ms Katrina Onus, a PhD student at the University’s School of Human Movement Studies in Bathurst. Ms Onus said that her study will investigate fatigue and athletic performance and how to possibly overcome or delay the onset of fatigue. “This research is important because the findings may be relevant to other areas such as diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as the military and industry. Any men interested in participating in the research must be available for five weeks from late October until December 2007. They need to be physically active at least three times per week. Ms Onus can be contacted on (02) 6338 4161.
Media Note: For interviews, contact CSU Media. The study entitled, The Central Nervous System and exercise endurance in a warm environment following ingestion of a dopamine/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor will be supervised by Associate Professor Frank Marino and Dr Jack Cannon. The study has been approved by the CSU Ethics in Human Research Committee.
Print this story Ecological engineering for sustainable pest management
09 Oct 2007
Can farm productivity and the environment benefit from the innovative use of ecological pest management rather than the use of genetic engineering? Professor Geoff Gurr from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Rural Management in Orange will present a seminar entitled "Ecological engineering for sustainable pest management" on Thursday 11 October. Professor Gurr says “Ecological engineering is about manipulating farm habitats, making them less favourable for pests and more attractive to beneficial insects. Though they’ve received far less research attention and funding, ecological approaches may be safer and more sustainable that their controversial cousin, genetic engineering”. The seminar, which is being hosted by the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, will take place in the Conference Room of the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute from 3.30pm, Thursday 11 October.
Media Note: The E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, is a collaborative alliance between CSU and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. The seminar runs from 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm on Thursday 11 October. For interviews contact CSU Media
Print this story Advancing Indigenous education
09 Oct 2007
T  he Dubbo Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a two day conference for about thirty CSU indigenous staff on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 October. Head of Dubbo Campus and Director of the University’s new Centre for Indigenous Studies, Mr Gary Shipp, said that this was the first time a CSU Indigenous staff conference has been held in Dubbo. “Indigenous staff from all CSU’s major campuses will attend and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, will address staff at the opening dinner on Tuesday evening, 9 October. This is an important meeting because it not only allows the Indigenous staff at CSU to establish contacts, but it will inform all staff of the recent developments at CSU with the establishment of the new Centre for Indigenous Studies and the development of an Indigenous education strategy. This will place CSU as a lead higher education provider in progressing Indigenous education nationally and in particular within inland Australia.“ A number of speakers will address the conference including Ms Lynette Riley-Mundine, Academic Coordinator at the Koori Centre at the University of Sydney, who was raised and attended school in Dubbo.
Media Note: For interviews with the Director of the Centre for Indigenous Studies, Mr Gary Shipp, contact CSU Media.
Print this story Access for all
09 Oct 2007
 Applications have opened for students seeking financial assistance in 2008 through the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Equity Scholarships. The scheme offers students three types of scholarships; the Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships, Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships and CSU Equity Scholarships. The Commonwealth Scholarships are offered by the Federal Government for students from a low socio economic background, especially Indigenous students and students from rural and regional Australia. The CSU Equity Scholarships were introduced in 2006 when the University’s allocated $3.25 million from 2006 to 2008 to assists students from disadvantaged backgrounds. “The scholarships, which vary from $2 000 to over $4 000 each, are an integral part of the University’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to national and internationally recognised educational opportunities, “ said Mr Les Burr, acting Executive Director of Student Services at CSU. Students have until the end of November 2007 to complete their application forms. More information is available at the Equity Scholarships website here.
Media Note: For interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU sports team success at Australian uni games
09 Oct 2007
Charles Sturt University (CSU) sent a 115-strong team of students to compete in the annual Australian University Games on the Queensland Gold Coast from Sunday 23 to Friday 28 September and came away with a Silver Medal in the Women’s Hockey and a Bronze Medal in Beach Volley Ball (Division 2). “Our athletes did well against some tough competition,” CSU team manager Niklaus Granger said. “There were about 6 000 students competing from over 40 universities Australia-wide in a range of sports. The CSU Women’s Hockey team did particularly well with only 12 team members (1 sub) in its 3-1 loss to the University of Sydney in the finals.” In addition, at least four CSU students were selected for the Green and Gold Merit teams. These are students chosen from all competitors based on their performance during the week. They include Kate Davis (Bathurst) and Amanda George (Wagga Wagga) in women’s hockey, Duncan McPhee (Bathurst) in men’s hockey, and Will Stuart (Bathurst) in men’s rugby.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews.
Print this story CSU students revved by V8 Supercars
05 Oct 2007
 Six Charles Sturt University (CSU) students studying at the University’s Bathurst Campus have won scholarships in 2007 from V8 Supercars in association with Bathurst Regional Council (BRC). The students received praise from V8 Supercars, BRC and CSU representatives at a race week presentation ceremony at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum in Bathurst on Thursday 4 October. CSU representative and acting Head of the School of Communication, Mr Rod McCulloch, said, “This tripartite relationship allows our students to benefit from Bathurst’s proud association with Australian motor racing. I thank V8 Supercars Australia and BRC, and its predecessor, Bathurst City Council (BCC), for its long history of supporting students through the Charles Sturt Foundation scholarship program. Starting in 1986, scholarships have been funded by BCC and BRC for the past 21 years, demonstrating their significant commitment to support education in the region.” CSU student Trent Hile, who is studying a double degree in Sports Studies and Journalism, is the recipient of the 2007 Peter Brock Memorial Scholarship.
Media Note: Contact CSU News to arrange interviews with Mr Rod McCulloch or V8 Supercars-BRC scholarship recipients. The six CSU students to receive the V8 Supercars-BRC scholarships for 2007 are Caris Bizzaca (BA Communication), Karla Cosier (B Nursing), Trent Hile (BA Communication), David Marchese (BA Communication), Michael Perry (BA Advertising), and Megan Ryan (B Nursing).
Print this story Reducing the cancer risk from pesticide
25 Sep 2007
 With increasing links being identified between occupational organophosphate-based pesticide exposure and cancers, the need for a more sensitive screening test than the existing test has become apparent. Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer in biomedical sciences, Dr Helen Moriarty will present a seminar entitled A novel screening test to detect low level occupational exposure to organophosphate-based pesticides on Thursday 27 September 2007 that suggests a solution. Dr Moriarty has identified a simple test that uses blood from a finger prick sample. Since many users unknowingly expose themselves to pesticides, a successful screening test will enable safe handling practices to be monitored and adjusted as necessary. This application is anticipated to make a major impact on the prevention of many environmentally induced cancers.
Media Note: For interviews with Dr Helen Moriarty contact CSU Media. The seminar will be held in the Conference Room, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, CSU Wagga Wagga Campus, on Thursday 27 September 2007 from 3.30pm. Print this story |
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