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ORANGE
Home > Regional News > Orange
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.
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.
Print this story Graduates celebrate in Hong Kong
05 Nov 2009
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 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. Print this story CSU student wins inaugural Field Days scholarship
03 Nov 2009
A Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange, Mr Jeremy Cummins, was awarded an Australian National Field Days (ANFD) Rugby Player Scholarship at the recent Field Days. Mr Cummins played in the 2009 ANFD Cup with the Orange Aggies and has been rewarded for his off-field efforts in agriculture. Central West Rugby Union chief executive, Mr Peter Veenstra, said Mr Cummins was an outstanding applicant and a worthy recipient of the inaugural scholarship. Mr Cummins came to CSU at Orange from Port Macquarie, and as well as playing in the ANFD Cup has been involved in cattle judging, has taken on a management role at the CSU Rugby Club, and also manages to fit in a 125 per cent student load so he can complete his degree in less than three years.
Media Note: For more information contact CSU Media. Print this story 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 TAFE Western, the Canberra Institute of Technology and TAFE NSW Riverina Institute 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,” Professor Chambers said. Acting Institute Director at TAFE Western, Ms Kate Baxter, says each year a number of TAFE Western graduates seek higher qualifications by studying at universities. “These scholarships will provide welcome support and encouragement and expand the opportunities for people in Western NSW to achieve their aspirations,” Ms Baxter said. Applications will close on Friday 27 November, with offers due to be made to successful TAFE students on Friday 11 December.
Media Note: For an interview with Professor Ross Chambers or Ms Kate Baxter, contact CSU Media. Information about the scholarship, including guidelines and the application form, can be found here.
Print this story CSU staff to 'Ride to Work'
13 Oct 2009
Seven Charles Sturt University (CSU) campuses will become rivals on Wednesday 14 October as they compete in a campus challenge as part of National Ride to Work Day. “There are a large number of staff on each campus who are regular and keen bicycle riders, but this is our way of encouraging other staff at Charles Sturt University to give it a go,” said Mr David Tallentire, CSU Manager of Occupational Health and Safety and the campus challenge organiser. “The establishment of CSU Green in 2008 highlighted a commitment to cooperate with communities towards sustainability, and by taking part in the National Ride to Work Day, CSU staff are supporting this commitment.” Twenty-four cyclists have registered for the ride at CSU at Wagga Wagga. Ride to Work is a behaviour change program that encourages workers to feel good and have fun by commuting to work by bicycle and experiencing the health, financial and environmental benefits of cycling.
Media Note: For information on each CSU campus riding team, please contact the following:
Albury-Wodonga – Beverlie de Jong 02 6051 6858
Bathurst - David Tallentire 02 6338 4096
Dubbo - Steven May 02 6885 7302
Goulburn - Jo-Anne Rooker 02 4824 2527
Orange - Kevin Parton 02 6365 7500
Thurgoona - Jack Fletcher 0431 022986
Wagga Wagga - Katie Hannan 02 6933 2055
More information on CSU Green is available here.
Print this story CSU assists sheep farmers to combat flystrike
13 Oct 2009
With several species of blowfly developing a resistance to numerous classes of insecticides, local sheep breeders are to learn how to contain flystrike in their flock when they attend a free flystrike prevention workshop at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange this Friday 16 October. Run by the NSW Department of Industry and Investment, the hands-on workshop is for commercial sheep producers who wish to maintain their skills and knowledge to prevent flystrike. Dr Shevahn Telfser from CSU’s School of Agriculture and Wine Science says, “Sheep producers who attend the workshop will walk away with key tools to help reduce the incidence of flystrike in their flock, and, if a fly wave strikes, how to deal with it swiftly and effectively.” For more information contact Ms Jane Mason, Orange Agricultural Institute on 6391 3967.
Media Note: For interviews and more information contact CSU Media. The workshop will run from 1-5pm on Friday 16 October. Print this story CSU Koori Admissions Program
06 Oct 2009
.jpg) Aboriginal students considering a tertiary degree are encouraged to apply for Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Koori Admissions Program (KAP) within the next week to ensure they are considered for study in 2010. The annual KAP is an alternative entry program designed specifically for Indigenous students. The KAP provides potential students with a supportive and caring environment to assess whether or not they are likely to be suited to university life. It is free of charge to eligible participants, with travel, meal and accommodation costs funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training. Students who successfully complete the KAP will be offered a place in their chosen course at any CSU campus or via distance education. Koori students interested in being part of the program should register their interest with the University’s Indigenous Student Services (ph 6338 4236) in the coming weeks or visit here.
Media Note: For interviews or more information please contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU Wine Dinner in Orange
06 Oct 2009
 In the lead up to Orange Wine Week, the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery is holding a wine dinner in Orange on Thursday 8 October to showcase a selection of current, pre-release and museum release wines. The dinner is being held at Union Bank Wine Bar and will be accompanied by a delicious three course dinner. The wines marry grapes from CSU’s Orange and Wagga Wagga campuses under winemaker Mr Andrew Drumm. An integral part of Australia's leading wine and food science school at the forefront of viticultural practices and wine making techniques, the 4.5 star rated Wagga Wagga winery is considering opening a cellar door outlet at the CSU Orange Campus. To book and pay for the $50 per head dinner, please phone Union Bank directly on 1300 721 731.
Media Note: For interviews please contact CSU Media. For more information on the CSU Winery visit www.csu.edu.au/winery
Print this story CSU helps bring science to the bush
06 Oct 2009
Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Mr Peter Mills is excited about the coming annual Australian National Field Days (ANFD) at Borenore near Orange NSW. He is taking part in the delivery of Science in the Bush at the ANFD high school day on Tuesday 20 October where exciting exhibits, hands-on workshops and engaging talks about what is happening in science today and beyond will be on show. As the outreach partner of this Australian Government initiative, CSU will deliver a workshop titled Super Botany. Based on the highly successful Science in the City at the Australian Museum, Science in the Bush enables local scientists and educators to bring the excitement and discovery of science to school children in rural NSW. Science in the Bush at ANFD is part of the Science in the City Project run by the Australian Museum with Executive Partner the University of Sydney and Outreach Partner CSU.
Media Note: The Science in the Bush event will take place on Tuesday 20 October at the ANFD site at Borenore near Orange NSW as part of the annual field days. For interviews and information contact CSU News or visit www.scienceinthebush.net .
Print this story Science demonstrations for small schools
06 Oct 2009
The collaboration between Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange and local small schools has produced a successful series of science demonstrations over the past year. The latest school to benefit from the academic knowledge at CSU was Cumnock Public School, with 18 students in Years 4, 5 and 6 visiting the Orange Campus last week for a three-hour demonstration titled ‘Introduction to Micro-organisms’. “The Charles Sturt University academics offer a great hands-on and expert component that isn't always easy to achieve in schools,” said Cumnock Public School teacher Alison Croker.“It was a great experience and one we're very keen to do again.” CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences academics Mr Peter Mills, Dr Yann Guisard, Dr Scott Andrew and Mr Peter Anderson gave the students an understanding of fungi, viruses and bacteria with practical experiments.
Media Note: For interviews please contact CSU Media. Print this story |
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