Despite numerous community education campaigns, public awareness of the prevention and risks of osteoporosis remains distressingly low, according to Associate Professor Maree Donna Simpson from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr Simpson addressed inland pharmacists at CSU’s latest Pharmacy Continuing Education Session on Sunday 25 March, urging them to look for any signs of the debilitating disease amongst their patients. “Look for the symptoms – a broken bone, those who are particularly slim, very low body weight. For example, one of the easiest viewed indicators of osteoporosis in older women is a body mass of less than 70 kilos.” Professor Simpson says osteoporosis is a “disease of the ‘baby boomers’. But they think it is a disease of their ‘mums and dads’. Risk factors include genetics, medications for asthma or Crohn’s Disease, or having had an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.”

New South Wales has eight incumbent Independent members of parliament – will that change after the State election on March 24? Charles Sturt University (CSU) politics lecturer Dr Troy Whitford predicts that the number of Independents has plateaued. “But they will always be a main feature of rural elections. Why? Because Independents aim at appealing to a rural and regional mindset called 'countrymindedness'", Dr Whitford explains. “It tends to emphasis the importance of rural Australia and that people in the country have a greater moral compass and a better work ethic than the city, and that politics is always city-centric. ‘Countrymindedness’ suggests rural people are the backbone to the economy, and they should be given special consideration. Old-fashioned ‘countrymindedness’ is apparent in the rhetoric of the Independents representing rural seats.” Dr Whitford predicts Labor will be returned, and says, “I will be very surprised if we see an increase in Independents. I think the Coalition will pick up a couple of seats, but Labor will hang on."

 

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Chancellor Lawrie Willett, AO and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter witnessed the first two graduates from CSU Orange Campus accept their degrees last Friday 16 March 2007. Amity Ballantyne Latham received her Master of Sustainable Agriculture degree and Malgorzata Bronicka graduated with honours with a Bachelor of Land Management (Ecological Agriculture) degree. “This has been the best research experience I’ve had,” said Malgorzata of her Honours year. Her thesis studied soil fungi in saline and non saline soils in Gumble, NSW. “After completing my Masters, I plan to move back to the country and work in town planning with a focus on natural resource management.” Results from her research will soon be published in Sydowia, an European journal dedicated to studies on fungi.

Is agriculture financially risky? Most would agree that it is, but Charles Sturt University School of Marketing and Management lecturer Mark Frost believes it’s not as risky as many would assume. As fiscal stress continues to plague farmers in the region following the ongoing drought, Mr Frost will speak at a Partners In Grain workshop titled Dollars and Sense, aiming to provide valuable financial information to assist in managing finances in the challenging year ahead. “This workshop takes an independent, common sense look at different aspects of farm finances and will equip farmers with the tools to make some sensible business decisions over the next twelve months and beyond,” Mr Frost says. The Partners in Grain Dollars and Sense Workshop will take place at the Coachman Hotel in Parkes on Wednesday 14 March at 9.15am.

A fascinating look at community forest management in India will be the topic of conversation at a Charles Sturt University (CSU) Orange Campus public seminar next Tuesday 20 March. Matthew McNee is a PhD student studying a South American farming system that would have significant conservation and economic benefits if it could be adapted and managed in semi-arid and rain-limited environments. Prior to this he spent six months in India working for The Foundation for Ecological Security as part of an overseas work experience program with a Queensland university. “My role in India was to help develop the staff’s skills in environmental valuation so that the true value of forest resources could be determined for the needs of local village communities,” he explained. Matthew will speak about his discoveries and adventures as part of CSU’s weekly seminar program in Orange on Tuesday 20 March from 1pm to 2pm. For more information on the program contact Michael Kemp on 02 6365 7840.

India is the new booming economy – surpassing even China in recent economic growth. It is an amazing success story that is much more evident in the cities than the countryside according to Kirsty Hommel, a recent Charles Sturt University (CSU) social science graduate who spent her practicum in rural southern India developing skills she had learnt at CSU. “The area I lived in was very untouched by western influences. The village I was based in was without a road.  Many people in this area live without running water or electricity - they use local wells and designated trees for toilets.” Kirsty says the Healthy Districts program aims “to increase the overall standards of health in the community through addressing poverty.  We used community development to assist the community to generate income. I really enjoyed being there. Even after I met my practicum requirements, I chose to stay another month. I felt very immersed in the community and the culture there.”

Staff and students from Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus will walk together to support Relay for Life this Saturday 17 March. The “Wonder Walkers”, fourteen staff and five students, will take to Endeavour Oval, Orange along with 40 other teams to raise funds for cancer research, education, support services and advocacy. “This is just one of the many community charity events CSU takes part in every year in Orange,” says team coordinator Geoff Watson. “Members of the team have been encouraged by the donations they have already received from staff and students at the campus with a successful sausage sizzle raising an additional $200 over a single lunch.”