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ORANGE
Home > Regional News > Orange
Defeating the Weed Menace
20 Feb 2007
 Earlier this month the Australian government announced it would set aside more than $1.7 million for projects under the Defeating the Weed Menace program, including nearly $280 000 for research on Parkinsonia, one of Australia’s worst weeds and ranked number one on the list of the 20 Weeds of National Significance. Dr Anantanarayanan Raman, senior lecturer in Ecological Agriculture at Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus, said Parkinsonia is a problem throughout the tropical world where it spreads rapidly by seed. “Currently only integrated pest management and grazing by camels are being explored in Australia to control Parkinsonia. Biological control appears as a strong possibility to me, especially by using seed-feeding insects. One species of Asphondylia is known to infest Parkinsonia flowers and feed on them, which could lead to the total degeneration of the flowers. This species and other seed and flower-infesting insects need to be surveyed for their potential,” said Dr Raman.
Media Note: Dr Anantanarayanan Raman is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU employment program an effective vehicle
20 Feb 2007
 The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Indigenous Employment Program is proving an effective vehicle for positive change and equity. Melanie Shea is one shining light to emerge from the program that offers ten traineeships a year in the University. She is now employed at the CSU Learning Materials Centre (LMC) as a full-time despatch assistant and has gained invaluable workplace experience with the full support of the CSU Indigenous Employment Coordinator, Karen Kime. Mel began a twelve month traineeship in Transport and Distribution at the LMC just one week after completing her Higher School Certificate. “I believe on-the-job training is a great door opener for people to gain confidence, knowledge and qualifications. The new skills can then be applied in any workplace. I am so pleased to have been a part of the program,” Melanie said.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Has multiculturalism become a dirty word?
13 Feb 2007
 Prime Minister John Howard announced last month that “the existing Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs will become the Department of Immigration and Citizenship” adding that the new title better reflected “the pathway to becoming an Australian inherent in a vibrant immigration program”. In the UK, multiculturalism has been described by Tory leader David Cameron as a “wall of division that must be torn down”. Dr Rabiul Islam, lecturer in Psychology at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has a special interest in people’s perceptions of the word ’multiculturalism’. He agrees that multiculturalism can be seen to divide society into ethnic groups. “The concept of multiculturalism has been misinterpreted. I think a better word is diversity, as it conveys a purpose to unite the nation. It is important that different ethnic groups mix with mainstream Australians and understand Australian values,” said Dr Islam.
Media Note: Dr Rabiul Islam‘s PhD research examined the social psychological dimensions of Hindu-Muslim antagonism in the Indian subcontinent. His current research interests include racism in Australian society, and young Australians attitudes to, and perceptions of, multiculturalism. He is available for comment - contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU Ambulance interns by-pass training program
13 Feb 2007
 A new initiative within the NSW Ambulance Service (NSWAS) has seen 22 Charles Sturt University (CSU) Paramedic graduates begin a one-year internship. Peter O'Meara, Associate Professor in CSU’s School of Public Health said previously the CSU graduates had to train all over again within the NSWAS three-year entry program. “This recognises our students’ skills and knowledge and it means they get out into practice more quickly. It is excellent for CSU and we hope to see it expanded in the future, with the ultimate aim of all entry into the NSWAS being by university degree.” Professor O’Meara explained that other states have phased out their own training programs altogether in favour of university graduates. And, he added: “We understand anecdotally that the students are doing very, very well and have made quite an impression.”
Media Note: Peter O'Meara, Associate Professor in CSU’s School of Public Health is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media.
Print this story O Week marks the beginning of new academic year at CSU
13 Feb 2007
Almost 3 000 new students are expected to descend upon Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) six Campuses on Monday 19 February for the beginning of Orientation Week. At CSU’s Bathurst Campus, O Week starts on Monday and Tuesday with information sessions about courses, enrolment and living both on and off-campus. New students can learn about CSU’s online services, electronic communications, library and Student Services on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are Meet The Staff and learning skills workshops days. At CSU Orange Campus, Orientation Week begins on Tuesday 20 February. As well as the usual welcome ceremonies and information sessions, there will be a special ’meet and greet’ for students beginning the new Clinical Sciences degree on Wednesday 21 February. Student coordinators and leaders will wear orange shirts with paw and claw prints to reflect the 2007 Safari theme. Paul Shaw, Senior Program Coordinator said CSU staff look forward to a busy week. “It is a very mad week - in a good way.”
Media Note: Monique Van Toor is available for interviews on CSU Bathurst Campus, while Judy Stone is available at Orange. Contact CSU Media for interviews and pictures.
Print this story ANZAM honour for CSU academic
13 Feb 2007
Charles Sturt University (CSU) Professor of Human Resource Management and director of Research Development, Andrew Smith has joined eight elite scholars to be appointed as a Research Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM). ANZAM is the peak professional body for management educators, researchers and practitioners, representing about 500 individual and 50 institutional members, including most Australian and New Zealand universities. It aims to advance scholarship and practice in management education and research. ANZAM Research Fellows, who are appointed for three years, act as mentors to doctoral students and researchers, helping develop their career and research profiles. Professor Smith says his appointment “is a considerable honour”.
Media Note: For more information contact CSU Media
Print this story Melbourne’s loss is the Central West’s gain
13 Feb 2007
The Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) says their success in attracting graduate nurses is partly due to the close relationship between GWAHS and Charles Sturt University (CSU). Around 45 Registered Nurses are commencing their careers with the GWAHS in February through the flexible GWAHS Nurse Graduate Program (NGP) that enables nurses to work full or part time. Rebecca Dixon and Matthew Rowe, who both studied nursing by distance education at CSU will soon move from their home in Melbourne to Orange. Rebecca will begin the NGP at Orange Base Hospital while Matthew continues his studies at CSU, this time as a Pharmacy student. Matthew said their CSU experience was “fabulous, very supportive. We realised that was where we would like to have a future.” Rebecca added that “it just all fell into place. We never thought a few years ago when we first started studying that we would end up moving to the Central West.”
Media Note: Rebecca Dixon and Matthew Rowe are available for interviews. Contact CSU Media. Print this story Course addresses rural health shortages
09 Feb 2007
Places are still available for a new course directly addressing the shortages of doctors and dentists in inland Australia. Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) new Clinical Science degree, launched by CSU in 2006 and offered from the University’s Orange Campus, allows students to complete a degree specifically designed to prepare students for graduate entry into medicine or dentistry. Under a collaborative agreement signed with the University of Sydney (USyd), a number of rural and regional students from this course are eligible for facilitated entry into dental and medical degrees at USyd. Course coordinator Dr Debbie Burton said the course will see regional would-be doctors and dentists begin their training in regional Australia. "This is a great opportunity for suitable regional people to access a career path that they might not have previously considered," Dr Burton said. Further details on the CSU Clinical Science degree are available from Dr Burton on (02) 6365 7828.
Media Note: CSU’s Dr Debbie Burton and a representative from Sydney University will be available for interviews and pictures at Orange Base Hospital, Dalton St, Orange, at 11am on Monday 12 February.
Print this story CSU signs MOU with Argentine wine group
06 Feb 2007
 The Australian and Argentinian wine industries opened doors to closer collaboration when Charles Sturt University (CSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Instituto Nacional de Vitiviniculture (INV) of Argentina last month. The MOU links the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC), based on CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus, and INV, which is responsible for coordinating and overseeing grape growing and winemaking in Argentina. The agreement was signed by CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter and INV President Lic. Raúl Guiñazú in Canberra. NWGIC director Professor Geoff Scollary said, “Our wine industries have a lot in common, so there is much we can learn from each other. We are also discussing collaborative programs in wine business, research and law as well as student and staff exchange programs. This will place NWGIC in an ideal position to collaborate on issues facing the world wine community”.
Media Note: NWGIC director Professor Geoff Scollary is available for interviews, contact CSU Media Print this story Best Paper Award
06 Feb 2007
 She is “first rate” and he is “just brilliant”, according to the mutual admiration society of Professor Alan Fish, Head of the International School of Business at Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Dr Julie Cogin, Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at the Australian Graduate School of Management. They recently took out the Australia New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Best Paper in a Stream Award at the latest ANZAM Conference held in Rockhampton, Queensland. Professor Fish supervised Dr Cogin’s PhD on the environmental factors that cause sexual harassment. “The award is a reflection of the quality of her work,” he said. Dr Cogin said Professor Fish is an excellent role model and teacher. “He is so encouraging. There were a lot of obstacles and challenges, but Alan kept reminding me that success was not the destination, it was the journey. Once we had access to data, it all came together very, very quickly.”
Media Note: ANZAM is the peak professional body for management educators, researchers and practitioners in Australia and New Zealand. Professor Fish and Dr Cogin’s paper was one of 20 Best Paper winners out of 300 presented at a recent ANZAM Conference in Rockhampton, Queensland. For more information, contact CSU Media. Print this story |
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