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CANBERRA
Home > Regional News > Canberra
The business of AIDS
03 Mar 2009
Many business leaders around the world are aware that they must ‘do something’ about HIV/AIDS. However, in order to take effective action, they need to understand the diverse economic, social, political and health issues relating to the epidemic. Charles Sturt University (CSU) postgraduate student Ms Saskia Faulk aims to develop a risk management tool for companies seeking to understand the extent and dynamics of HIV/AIDS so they can put into place HIV/AIDS workplace programs. Ms Faulk is completing a CSU Doctorate of Business Administration by distance education from Switzerland. Ms Faulk has also co-written a book, AIDS and Business, which presents case studies of businesses in countries including Brazil, India, Mexico, Morocco, Thailand, South Africa, and Switzerland. “The spread of HIV/AIDS affects businesses in all sectors, all industries and all countries, so companies and organisations must take action,” she said.
Media Note: For interviews with CSU postgraduate student Ms Saskia Faulk, contact CSU Media. AIDS and Business by Ms Faulk and Mr Jean-Claude Usunier is published this month by Routledge. Print this story A new tool for fruit fly control
03 Mar 2009
 Two species of parasitic wasps, identified in southern NSW during on-going research at Charles Sturt University (CSU), could unlock new ways to fight fruit fly in Australia. PhD student Mrs Jennifer Spinner has been collecting fruit ‘stung’ by fruit fly in home gardens during the fruit fly season (October to May) in Albury, Cootamundra, Ganmain, Gundagai, Lake Cargelligo, Lockhart and Wagga Wagga. The fruit has been held in a laboratory at CSU at Wagga Wagga in a controlled temperature environment until adult fruit fly or parasitic wasps emerge. “I am examining whether the wasps are present in inland NSW and whether large releases of the wasps could be used for the biological control of fruit fly,” said Mrs Spinner. The female wasp lays her eggs inside the fruit fly larvae, which hatch and feed on the fruit fly larvae, ultimately killing the pest. In 2009, the PhD student will travel to Guatemala, Hawaii and Mexico where releases of parasitoids have improved the management of fruit fly.
Media Note: Mrs Spinner is a student with the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity based at the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Wagga Wagga. The research project is supported by Riverina Citrus and Horticulture Australia Limited and supervised by Professor Geoff Gurr, Dr Olivia Kvedaras and Mr Andrew Jessup. Mrs Spinner recently presented the early findings of her research ‘Parasitic wasps: a new tool for fruit fly management in Australia?’ to the 3rd International Symposium for the Biological Control of Arthropods in New Zealand. Print this story Interfaith celebration at ACC&C
27 Feb 2009
 Members of the public are invited to attend a multi-faith Celebration of the Commonwealth to be held at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra at 11am on Commonwealth Day, Monday 9 March 2009. The Executive Director of the ACC&C, Reverend Professor James Haire, AM, said “The celebration is modelled on the Commonwealth Observance which Her Majesty the Queen attends in Westminster Abbey each Commonwealth Day, and the theme for the celebration this year is The Commonwealth @ 60 – serving a new generation. Local leaders of major world religions will participate in the reading of six affirmations at the celebration which will feature indigenous participation, cultural performances, a Tongan choir, a Chinese group, a Ugandan quartet and the Woden Valley Youth Choir.” The celebration, which is expected to last for 90 minutes and will be followed by lunch, has been assisted by the ACT Government’s Multicultural Grants Program 2008-09.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture is at the corner King’s Avenue and Blackall Street, Barton, Canberra ACT. Parking is available in the grounds of the Centre and in nearby public car parks. Print this story Uniting through faith
24 Feb 2009
 Fourteen visitors from Indonesia touring Victoria and Tasmania to bring closer understanding between Muslims and Christians will meet with members of the Border community at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Tuesday 3 March. Hosted by the Uniting Church in Australia, the group particularly aims to increase mutual understanding and cultural appreciation between the Muslim majority of Indonesia and Australia’s Christian communities. While in Albury, the group will visit the University’s facilities and speak with CSU students at Thurgoona. “The University hopes the visit will enhance understanding and relations between the faiths and our cultures,” said visit coordinator and CSU student counsellor Mr Geoff Simmons. The visit will include a public forum hosted by CSU Professor The Rev. James Haire from the University’s School of Theology in Canberra.
Media Note: For interviews with CSU student counsellor Geoff Simmons on Monday 2 March, or with Professor The Rev. James Haire who has worked in this field and Indonesia for many years, contact CSU Media. The public forum, Social Justice in the Christian and Islamic Faiths, will start at 7.30pm on Tuesday 3 March at the Nowik Lecture Theatre, Guinea St, Albury. Print this story Senior international appointment for CSU scientist
24 Feb 2009
 International recognition for his expertise in wetland management has led to the reappointment of a senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientist to a scientific panel for the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Director of CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society Professor Max Finlayson will be a member of Ramsar's Scientific and Technical Review Panel from 2009 to 2012, specialising in the effects of climate change on wetlands and water and the social and economic effects on people who rely on them. Professor Finlayson said the appointment is a great honour and is recognition of scientific expertise available at CSU. The Ramsar Convention, established in 1975, aims to protect wetlands worldwide, including the iconic Barmah Forest and Lower Lakes on the Murray River and the Macquarie Marshes in central NSW.
Media Note: For interviews with ILWS Director Professor Max Finlayson, contact CSU Media. Print this story Book launch at CSU School of Theology
23 Feb 2009
.jpg) The launch of a book of theological studies will precede the commencement ceremony at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Theology in Canberra on Monday 23 February. The book, Embracing Grace: The Theologian’s Task, is a collection of essays in honour of Reverend Canon Dr Graeme Garrett, a Professorial Associate and longstanding member of the School of Theology who has had a formative influence on St Mark’s National Theological Centre. Embracing Grace is a collection of studies written by academic staff members of the School of Theology and other longstanding friends or colleagues of Canon Garrett, and was edited by Dr Heather Thomson, lecturer in theology at the School, who completed her own doctoral studies under his supervision. Following the launch of the book, Canon Garrett will deliver the Commencement Address at St Mark’s.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Dr Heather Thomson. The launch of Embracing Grace: The Theologian’s Task and the commencement address are at 7.30 pm Monday 23 February, in the Sulman Room at St Mark’s National Theological Centre, 15 Blackall Street, Barton, Canberra, ACT. Print this story New collaboration to research groundwater
17 Feb 2009
 A leading Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic will lead a team of researchers contributing to the recently announced five-year, $30 million Australian Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. Professor Allan Curtis, a social researcher with the CSU Institute for Land, Water and Society is well known for his work in natural resource management and rural communities in South Eastern Australia. Professor Curtis says the project aims to improve Australia’s capacity to better manage ground water resources which are threatened by over-extraction and pollution. “While the Centre will examine issues around the sustainable harvesting of groundwater resources, including the interactions between surface and groundwater, there is an important contribution for social research in terms of engaging groundwater users in developing practices that make more effective use of groundwater; and developing innovative arrangements that lead to more sustainable use of groundwater,” he said. The new centre is a partnership of 20 organisations including the Australian Research Council and the National Water Commission, CSIRO and 12 universities. Professor Curtis, along with other CSU researchers including Dr Digby Race and Dr Maureen Rogers, will work to identify projects to be funded over the next six months.
Media Note: Allan Curtis is Professor of Integrated Environmental Management and Head of Campus, Albury Wodonga. Professor Curtis is available for interview. Photos are also available. Contact CSU Media. Print this story Digging deep for a national tragedy
13 Feb 2009
 Ahead of the official start of the academic year on Monday 23 February, students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have raised almost $3 000 for the Victorian bushfire appeal. Ninety Residential Student Advisors from CSU at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga collected $2 883.70 for the Australian Red Cross appeal during training at the University this week. The money was raised when a ransom was paid by the student leaders for the return of props used during the training. The Residential Student Advisors were undertaking training as part of CSU’s Residential Support Scheme. “This initiative is a credit to these students from across CSU’s campuses. It exemplifies the widespread commitment to assisting Victorians after the great loss of life and property,” said Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Lyn Gorman. Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor John Hicks, has agreed to contribute $1 to the Red Cross appeal for every dollar donated by a Faculty of Business student up to $1 000. As other individual and group staff and student fundraising efforts get underway, the University cashiers’ offices on each campus are now donation points for the Australian Red Cross appeal. CSU is also offering its support to students affected by the Victorian bushfires. See here.
Print this story Evolution in the Antipodes
10 Feb 2009
 The influence of the ‘father of evolution’, Charles Darwin, on Australian thinking is the subject of a new book by noted Australian writer and Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Bishop Tom Frame. Titled Evolution in the Antipodes: Charles Darwin and Australia, the book examines Darwin’s life and times, including his 1836 visit to Australia on the HMS Beagle and his foray into the NSW hinterland, which took him as far inland as Bathurst. Professor Frame also discusses the historic disputes and contemporary debates about Darwin’s motivations and methods; his scientific conclusions and their social consequences; and the ways in which Darwin’s work continues to shape Australian public policy and private behaviour. Evolution in the Antipodes will interest students of Australian history and readers of maritime affairs, natural science and theistic religion. Tom Frame is also Director of St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra, which includes the CSU School of Theology.
Media Note: For interviews with Professor Tom Frame, contact CSU Media. Professor Frame’s book, Evolution in the Antipodes: Charles Darwin and Australia (UNSW Press), will be launched at the National Museum of Australia, Acton Peninsula in Canberra, at 1pm on Thursday 26 February as part of the Museum’s one-day symposium on Charles Darwin. Print this story Dengue fever not a plague marching south
28 Jan 2009
 Recent media reports of a dengue fever ‘plague’ in northern Queensland are an overstatement of what periodically occurs in that State, according to a senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic and member of the Institute for Land, Water and Society. “I don’t see dengue fever marching south from tropical Australia as a great plague, but rather gradually moving with the fluctuations and movements of climate change over many years,” says Professor Kevin Parton. “My work on Ross River fever, a similarly mosquito-borne disease endemic to parts of southern Australia, shows that the virus is present in humans across NSW – which would surprise many people. It becomes more common in certain weather conditions, hence the appearance of an ‘outbreak’. Sure, take public health precautions such as use insect repellent, fix fly screens and tip out standing water around your house, but some current reports are a little sensationalist.”
Media Note: For interview with Professor Kevin Parton, contact CSU Media. See details here on Professor Parton’s work on Ross River fever. Print this story |
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