Plea for action for wetlands
08 Nov 2009
Globally, the rate of loss of freshwater wetlands exceeds that of any other ecosystem and predicted climate change will greatly exacerbate the trend in the future. According to Charles Sturt University (CSU) vertebrate ecologist Dr Iain Taylor, wetlands provide invaluable ecosystem services to humans throughout the world and are essential habitats for an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. “Many species of water birds are in serious decline and the on-going drought in southeast Australia has caused a massive and probably irreversible decline in most of the larger water birds such as egrets, ibises and spoonbills,” he said. Dr Taylor is the convener of the international conference, Wetlands and Waterbirds: Managing for Resilience in Leeton in the Riverina region of NSW from Monday 9 November. Also presenting at the conference is CSU wetland ecologist Professor Max Finlayson who said climate change will place many wetlands and species under further pressure from rising temperatures and changes to their water regimes as rainfall patterns change. “If anything we should be constructing or restoring more wetlands, not degrading those that are left. They are valuable and have been under stress for far too long,” said Professor Finlayson, Director of CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society.
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Globally, the rate of loss of freshwater wetlands exceeds that of any other ecosystem and predicted climate change will greatly exacerbate the trend in the future. According to Charles Sturt University (CSU) vertebrate ecologist Dr Iain Taylor, wetlands provide invaluable ecosystem services to humans throughout the world and are essential habitats for an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. “Many species of water birds are in serious decline and the on-going drought in southeast Australia has caused a massive and probably irreversible decline in most of the larger water birds such as egrets, ibises and spoonbills,” he said. Dr Taylor is the convener of the international conference, Wetlands and Waterbirds: Managing for Resilience in Leeton in the Riverina region of NSW from Monday 9 November. Also presenting at the conference is CSU wetland ecologist Professor Max Finlayson who said climate change will place many wetlands and species under further pressure from rising temperatures and changes to their water regimes as rainfall patterns change. “If anything we should be constructing or restoring more wetlands, not degrading those that are left. They are valuable and have been under stress for far too long,” said Professor Finlayson, Director of CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society.| Media Officer | : Kate Roberts |
| Telephone | : 02 6933 2207 |
Media Note:
To arrange interviews contact CSU Media. The Wetlands and Waterbirds Conference will be held from Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 November at the Leeton Soldiers Club in Leeton. CSU academics presenting at the conference are Professor Max Finlayson, Dr Iain Taylor, Professor Mark Morrison and PhD students Maria Bellio and Anna Lukasiewicz. The conference program is available here. For media inquiries on Tuesday 10 November and Wednesday 11 November contact Ms Tracey Valensis on 0407 262 496. The Fivebough and Tuckerbil Swamps are internationally recognised wetlands under the Ramsar Convention and home to large waterbird populations, just minutes from Leeton.
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Graduates celebrate in Hong Kong
05 Nov 2009
Media Note: The ceremony will be held from 10.30am in the Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Charles Sturt University is one of Australia’s leading providers of distance education with currently 20,000 students around the world studying by distance education.
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The Chancellor of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Mr Lawrie Willett AO will praise the academic achievements of almost 70 graduates who are eligible to receive their awards at a ceremony in Hong Kong on Saturday 7 November. The graduates will receive their postgraduate and undergraduate awards from the University’s Faculties of Arts, Business, Education and Science from 10.30am in the Langham Place Hotel in Hong Kong. The occasional address will be delivered at the graduation ceremony by Mr Steve O’Conner, the Librarian at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Mr O’Conner has worked in Higher Education for most of his career and has researched, published, spoken, consulted and taught very extensively in the areas of change, organisational management, information delivery, scenario and strategic planning, as well as the wider library and information environment. Graduates have completed a range of courses at CSU in areas such as theology, business, information technology, hotel management, arts, primary education, library and information management, medical imaging and clinical nursing.
| Media Officer | : Fiona Halloran |
| Telephone | : 02 6933 2207 |
Media Note: The ceremony will be held from 10.30am in the Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Charles Sturt University is one of Australia’s leading providers of distance education with currently 20,000 students around the world studying by distance education.
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Scholarships for TAFE students to study at CSU
27 Oct 2009
TAFE students who have enrolled in or recently completed Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses at the Canberra Institute of Technology, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and TAFE Western can now win scholarships to further their education at Charles Sturt University (CSU). Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at CSU, Professor Ross Chambers, says applications for the 12 scholarships, each worth $2 500, are available for 2010, with four scholarships available at each institution. “The CSU University Pathway Scholarship Program is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to create strong education pathways and collaboration from TAFE to University in our regional cities and regions,” says Professor Chambers. Dr Colin Adrian, Chief Executive of the Canberra Institute of Technology, said it is extremely important that people with financial constraints are given the opportunity to further their education. “People top up their education to advance their careers and keep abreast of technical and social changes,” Dr Adrian said. “We no longer live in a world where one basic qualification will last our entire working life.” Scholarship applications will close on Friday 27 November, with offers due to be made to successful TAFE students on Friday 11 December.
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TAFE students who have enrolled in or recently completed Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses at the Canberra Institute of Technology, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and TAFE Western can now win scholarships to further their education at Charles Sturt University (CSU). Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at CSU, Professor Ross Chambers, says applications for the 12 scholarships, each worth $2 500, are available for 2010, with four scholarships available at each institution. “The CSU University Pathway Scholarship Program is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to create strong education pathways and collaboration from TAFE to University in our regional cities and regions,” says Professor Chambers. Dr Colin Adrian, Chief Executive of the Canberra Institute of Technology, said it is extremely important that people with financial constraints are given the opportunity to further their education. “People top up their education to advance their careers and keep abreast of technical and social changes,” Dr Adrian said. “We no longer live in a world where one basic qualification will last our entire working life.” Scholarship applications will close on Friday 27 November, with offers due to be made to successful TAFE students on Friday 11 December.| Media Officer | : Wes Ward |
| Telephone | : 02 6051 9906 |
Media Note:
For an interview with Professor Ross Chambers or Dr Colin Adrian, contact CSU Media. Information about the scholarship, including guidelines and the application form, can be found here.
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Theology conference highlights ecumenism
15 Sep 2009
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The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Canberra held a special one-day conference on ecumenism, Handing on the Vision, on Wednesday 9 September. A special ceremony at the conference inaugurated the Centre for Ecumenical Studies (CES) within the ACC&C. Reverend Professor James Haire, AM, the Executive Director of the ACC&C, welcomed this inauguration, describing the mission of ‘handing on the ecumenical vision’ as “part of the ACC&C’s core business”. In his presentation at the conference, Professor Haire spoke of giving reality to the ecumenical vision in the way that theological issues are addressed, saying, “It is absolutely important to focus on the central aspects of faith that all Christians hold in common”. A record of the inauguration was signed by Professor Haire, Reverend Professor Robert Gribben, the Chair of the Board of the CES, and the Reverend Tara Curlewis, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews.
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The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Canberra held a special one-day conference on ecumenism, Handing on the Vision, on Wednesday 9 September. A special ceremony at the conference inaugurated the Centre for Ecumenical Studies (CES) within the ACC&C. Reverend Professor James Haire, AM, the Executive Director of the ACC&C, welcomed this inauguration, describing the mission of | Media Officer | : Bruce Andrews |
| Telephone | : 02 63386084 |
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews.
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CSU leads at Tour de Timor
08 Sep 2009
Staff and students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) successfully flew the flag at the inaugural cycling race Tour de Timor held recently in Timor Leste (East Timor). CSU student Mr Neil Van der Pleog from Mount Beauty in Victoria won the 450-kilometre race around the country. CSU students and staff also provided extensive physiotherapy services for competitors throughout the tough event. Started by President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta in the capital Dili, the five day event took cyclists through the nine regions of Timor before returning to Dili. At the hilliest stage of the race, riders climbed to 1 850 metres. Two third year Bachelor of Physiotherapy students Mr Tom Bidstrup and Ms Rachael McLeod and physiotherapy lecturer Mr Tim Retchford from the School of Community Health at CSU at Albury-Wodonga provided physiotherapy services for the 350 competitors. Many of the riders were international participants who were attracted to Timor Leste for the gruelling US$75 000 event. “The Tour de Timor coincided with the celebration of the 10 years since East Timor's independence vote,” said Mr Retchford. “Locals lined Dili’s streets up to 10 deep to cheer the riders as they crossed the finish line.”
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Staff and students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) successfully flew the flag at the inaugural cycling race Tour de Timor held recently in Timor Leste (East Timor). CSU student Mr Neil Van der Pleog from Mount Beauty in Victoria won the 450-kilometre race around the country. CSU students and staff also provided extensive physiotherapy services for competitors throughout the tough event. Started by President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta in the capital Dili, the five day event took cyclists through the nine regions of Timor before returning to Dili. At the hilliest stage of the race, riders climbed to 1 850 metres. Two third year Bachelor of Physiotherapy students Mr Tom Bidstrup and Ms Rachael McLeod and physiotherapy lecturer Mr Tim Retchford from the School of Community Health at CSU at Albury-Wodonga provided physiotherapy services for the 350 competitors. Many of the riders were international participants who were attracted to Timor Leste for the gruelling US$75 000 event. “The Tour de Timor coincided with the celebration of the 10 years since East Timor's independence vote,” said Mr Retchford. “Locals lined Dili’s streets up to 10 deep to cheer the riders as they crossed the finish line.” | Media Officer | : Wes Ward |
| Telephone | : 02 6051 9906 |
Media Note:
CSU physiotherapy lecturer Mr Tim Retchford and the physiotherapy students are available for interview tomorrow, Wednesday 9 September, before they go on clinical placement outside the Albury-Wodonga region. Contact CSU Media. The physiotherapy program runs through the School of Community Health at CSU at Albury-Wodonga.
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Gifted designer honoured
08 Sep 2009
An artist and Charles Sturt University (CSU) student has been named as a finalist in Australia’s richest design prize. PhD student Mr Rohan Nicol from Wagga Wagga is one of 10 finalists in the prestigious Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award. With his entry, Peppered Sunlight Mr Nicol will compete for the first prize of a $30 000 grant and a trip to Milan to attend the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in April 2010. The prize is dedicated to recognising and rewarding excellence in design, improving and promoting awareness of design and improving the commercial success of talented Australians. Peppered Sunlight is a large pendant light inspired by ‘dappled light that filters through trees’. Through the School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga, Mr Nichol is researching a financially sustainable model of studio-based craft and design practice by engaging with the Australian manufacturing industry in regional Australia. Read more here.
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An artist and Charles Sturt University (CSU) student has been named as a finalist in Australia’s richest design prize. PhD student Mr Rohan Nicol from Wagga Wagga is one of 10 finalists in the prestigious Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award. With his entry, Peppered Sunlight Mr Nicol will compete for the first prize of a $30 000 grant and a trip to Milan to attend the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in April 2010. The prize is dedicated to recognising and rewarding excellence in design, improving and promoting awareness of design and improving the commercial success of talented Australians. Peppered Sunlight is a large pendant light inspired by ‘dappled light that filters through trees’. Through the School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga, Mr Nichol is researching a financially sustainable model of studio-based craft and design practice by engaging with the Australian manufacturing industry in regional Australia. Read more here.| Media Officer | : Fiona Halloran |
| Telephone | : 02 6933 2207 |
Media Note:
In 2009, Ph student Rohan Nichol was awarded funding from the Australia Council. Read more here.
He is available for interview on 0416 362 133. Finalists in the Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award will present their entries to a panel of judges in October. The overall winner will be announced on Wednesday 18 November. The works will then be included in the Design Discovery Award Exhibition at the Establishment Hotel in Bridge Lane, Sydney from Monday 9 until Monday 30 November and in Melbourne and Brisbane in early 2010. Read more about the Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award here.
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Making sense of learning in the early years
08 Sep 2009
A consortium led by Charles Sturt University (CSU) based in Australia, has developed the nation's first framework for early child education and care services for the Australian federal government. Sub Dean of CSU’s Faculty of Education, Professor Jennifer Sumsion will discuss Belonging, Being and Becoming - Early Years Learning Framework at a public lecture to be presented at 4.30pm on Wednesday 9 September at CSU’s Burlington site. “Since late 2008 and for over six months we consulted with teachers, parents and various private and government agencies on how the framework could best support the learning of young pre-school children and enhance the professional practice and status or early childhood educators,” Professor Sumsion said. Read more about the Early Years Learning Framework here.
Media Note: The public presentation will be held from 4.30 to 6.30pm on Wednesday 9 September at CSU in Ontario, 860 Harrington Court, Burlington, Ontario. Call 905 333 4955 or send an email for directions and further information. Read more about the CSU Ontario School of Education here.
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A consortium led by Charles Sturt University (CSU) based in Australia, has developed the nation's first framework for early child education and care services for the Australian federal government. Sub Dean of CSU’s Faculty of Education, Professor Jennifer Sumsion will discuss Belonging, Being and Becoming - Early Years Learning Framework at a public lecture to be presented at 4.30pm on Wednesday 9 September at CSU’s Burlington site. “Since late 2008 and for over six months we consulted with teachers, parents and various private and government agencies on how the framework could best support the learning of young pre-school children and enhance the professional practice and status or early childhood educators,” Professor Sumsion said. Read more about the Early Years Learning Framework here. | Media Officer | : Wes Ward |
| Telephone | : 02 6051 9906 |
Media Note: The public presentation will be held from 4.30 to 6.30pm on Wednesday 9 September at CSU in Ontario, 860 Harrington Court, Burlington, Ontario. Call 905 333 4955 or send an email for directions and further information. Read more about the CSU Ontario School of Education here.
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Recognising years of service
08 Sep 2009
One of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) most senior academics is among those honoured for his years of service to CSU and its predecessor institutions. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers is one of 13 staff eligible to receive 20 and 30 year service medals during a ceremony on Friday 11 September in the Convention Centre at CSU at Wagga Wagga from 12.30pm. Professor Chambers joined the Riverina College of Advanced Education (RCAE) in 1979 as an Associate Lecturer in history and politics after studies at the University of Sydney and the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at the University of London. He was appointed a Principal Lecturer at RCAE in 1987. Following the creation of CSU in 1989, Professor Chambers was appointed Head of the School of Humanities and Social Science and in 1992 the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. In 2002 he was appointed to his current position as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). “It has been a great privilege to be part of the development of Charles Sturt University and to work with the community of staff and students at the University,” said Professor Chambers. “I have especially appreciated being part of an organisation with a strong commitment to the values of equity in access and participation and of service to its communities.”
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One of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) most senior academics is among those honoured for his years of service to CSU and its predecessor institutions. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers is one of 13 staff eligible to receive 20 and 30 year service medals during a ceremony on Friday 11 September in the Convention Centre at CSU at Wagga Wagga from 12.30pm. Professor Chambers joined the Riverina College of Advanced Education (RCAE) in 1979 as an Associate Lecturer in history and politics after studies at the University of Sydney and the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at the University of London. He was appointed a Principal Lecturer at RCAE in 1987. Following the creation of CSU in 1989, Professor Chambers was appointed Head of the School of Humanities and Social Science and in 1992 the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. In 2002 he was appointed to his current position as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). “It has been a great privilege to be part of the development of Charles Sturt University and to work with the community of staff and students at the University,” said Professor Chambers. “I have especially appreciated being part of an organisation with a strong commitment to the values of equity in access and participation and of service to its communities.”| Media Officer | : Fiona Halloran |
| Telephone | : 02 6933 2207 |
Media Note:
The service medals are presented to long-serving staff as CSU continues to celebrate its 20th year in 2009. Read more about the 20th anniversary celebrations here. The 20 and 30 year service medals will be presented to staff on Friday 11 September from 12.30pm to 3pm in the Chancellor’s Room, Convention Centre, building 230, near Jingellic Place, CSU, Wagga Wagga. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers will be overseas during the ceremony and will receive his medal at a later date. Photos of Professor Chambers are available from CSU Media. A second group of staff will also be awarded long service medals from 12.30pm to 3pm at the same venue on Tuesday 22 September.
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Let children be children
25 Aug 2009
In a world saturated with advertising and media using sex to sell, a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has warned of the long-term risks for children. Dr Emma Rush, Associate Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences says companies are increasingly marketing their products to children to capture the children’s allegiance to their brands. However she says some products, like padded bras for eight-year-old girls, are completely inappropriate.”Big companies make products to make money, but the clothing, magazines, toys and games are becoming increasingly sexualised,” said Dr Rush. The CSU academic is a contributing author to a new book, Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls. The book deals with the sexualisation and objectification of girls and women in the media, popular culture and society. “Experts are seeing psychological damage in younger and younger children and a rise in behaviours such as low self-esteem, depression, self-harms and eating disorders. The children should be out in the world having fun. They should be constructing themselves, rather than squashing into a narrow stereotype,” said Dr Rush. “As adults we have responsibilities for children’s health and development. It is wrong to think of premature sexualisation as simply a matter of taste; the fact is that it has risks for children.”
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In a world saturated with advertising and media using sex to sell, a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has warned of the long-term risks for children. Dr Emma Rush, Associate Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences says companies are increasingly marketing their products to children to capture the children’s allegiance to their brands. However she says some products, like padded bras for eight-year-old girls, are completely inappropriate.”Big companies make products to make money, but the clothing, magazines, toys and games are becoming increasingly sexualised,” said Dr Rush. The CSU academic is a contributing author to a new book, Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls. The book deals with the sexualisation and objectification of girls and women in the media, popular culture and society. “Experts are seeing psychological damage in younger and younger children and a rise in behaviours such as low self-esteem, depression, self-harms and eating disorders. The children should be out in the world having fun. They should be constructing themselves, rather than squashing into a narrow stereotype,” said Dr Rush. “As adults we have responsibilities for children’s health and development. It is wrong to think of premature sexualisation as simply a matter of taste; the fact is that it has risks for children.”| Media Officer | : Kate Roberts |
| Telephone | : 02 6933 2207 |
Media Note:
Dr Emma Rush is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga. She is researching the impact of the sexualisation of children. Dr Rush is pushing for a review of the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into the Sexualisation of children in the contemporary media. Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls is published by Spinifex Press.
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Community development in Asia
25 Aug 2009
A new book by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic explores the need for and path towards successful community development in both developed and developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. Community Development in Asia and the Pacific by Associate Professor Manohar Pawar, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Wagga Wagga, delves into the challenges and impediments for successful community development programs. "Both developed and developing countries have been re-emphasising the importance of community development but really need to address issues such as entrenched community power structures, unstable political systems and authoritarian leadership styles which play a big part in obstructing community development," Associate Professor Pawar said. ”The four key principles needed to put development into practice include respect for human rights, self reliance, self determination and participation,” he said. "This book examines the latest community trends in the Asia Pacific region. It makes a case for adopting values- and principles-based practice; for altering current leadership styles and developing new leaders; for retaining diversity and learning from it; for practicing what is preached; and for having a local level comprehensive social development perspective.”
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A new book by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic explores the need for and path towards successful community development in both developed and developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. Community Development in Asia and the Pacific by Associate Professor Manohar Pawar, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Wagga Wagga, delves into the challenges and impediments for successful community development programs. "Both developed and developing countries have been re-emphasising the importance of community development but really need to address issues such as entrenched community power structures, unstable political systems and authoritarian leadership styles which play a big part in obstructing community development," Associate Professor Pawar said. ”The four key principles needed to put development into practice include respect for human rights, self reliance, self determination and participation,” he said. "This book examines the latest community trends in the Asia Pacific region. It makes a case for adopting values- and principles-based practice; for altering current leadership styles and developing new leaders; for retaining diversity and learning from it; for practicing what is preached; and for having a local level comprehensive social development perspective.”| Media Officer | : Kate Roberts |
| Telephone | : 02 6933 2207 |
Media Note:
Associate Professor Manohar Pawar lectures in the Social Work and Human Services program in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Wagga Wagga. He has more than 20 years of experience in social work education, research and practice in Australia and India. Community Development in Asia and the Pacific is published by Routledge.Contact CSU Media to arrange an interview.
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