A community centre for almost 100 Charles Sturt University (CSU) students at Wagga Wagga will be  opened on Monday 18 May at St Martin’s College, a residential college operated by the Anglican Church. The Fairfax Centre at St Martin’s College will  provide a community centre for the College’s 98 students who are studying a range of degrees including pharmacy, education, veterinary science, science, radiography, oral health and television production. The Centre includes a common study and recreational space for students living in the college, a BBQ area, and staff office space. The new space has enabled the previous office and meeting space to return to its original role as a chapel for students. The construction of the Fairfax Centre was made possible by a generous distribution of funds from the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation as well as from other donors including the Anglican Diocese of the Riverina and the Anglican Diocese of Canberra-Goulburn and CSU.

Vision Australia has named Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga as a recipient of its ‘Make A Difference Award’ for 2009 for its practical support for people in its community who are blind or have low vision. Now in its fourth year, the ‘Make a Difference Award’ recognises best practice for considering the needs of people who are blind or have low vision. “Charles Sturt University supports Vision Australia’s Talking Newspaper service by donating blank tapes and providing a XL series duplicator,” said Ms Kerry Strauch, from Vision Australia in Wagga Wagga. “Charles Sturt University staff are also volunteer narrators for the service. The University has made alterations to the on-campus accommodation to ensure it is suitable for blind or low vision students.” The alterations include the provision of tactile markings and adequate lighting. “The University is committed to supporting and encouraging students who are blind or have low vision to apply for courses and aspire to the careers of their choice,” said Ms Strauch.  

The retiring Head of Campus at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga, Professor David Green, has been honoured by being named Wagga Mutual Credit Union’s inaugural Community Champion of the Month. The Board of Wagga Mutual Credit Union presented Professor Green with the honour after learning of his retirement from the University at the end of May. The Board honoured the CSU academic in May for his tireless contribution to the region and the links he has forged between CSU and Wagga Mutual. Professor Green and his family are planning to move to Queensland.

Outstanding Australian and international animated films will be on show this weekend as the sixth Australian International Animation Festival returns to Wagga Wagga. Over 120 animated films, selected from 2 000 world-wide, will feature during the three day festival. There will be sessions for for children, teenagers, international animation and a late night ‘bizarre’ screening Festival organiser and Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Mr Andrew Hagan describes the 2009 program as ‘awe inspiring and unforgettable’. “All of the films selected are exceptional; many have won international awards, some are the most hotly talked about in the global film circuit, and importantly each program is of international standard selected by expert curators.” A feature of the festival is the special children’s program of short animation films which have been carefully selected for appropriateness and entertainment value to appeal to children. “There’ll be premier international screenings and informative seminars, and a surprise screening or two to celebrate this very special art form,” said Mr Hagan.

For pictures with local Albury band Free Spirits and interviews with Mr Tom Hogan, go to CSU’s Thurgoona site, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive at 12noon on Tuesday 12 May, or contact CSU Media.

A catalogue for an art exhibition held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2008 has been short-listed for a national award. The catalogue for the exhibition ELEMENTS: Dianne Fogwell is up for a Museums Australia Multimedia and Publication Design Award 2009. The catalogue was produced by the Charles Sturt University Art Collection to coincide with the exhibition held during graduation ceremonies at CSU at Wagga Wagga in April 2008. A total of 406 entries were received for the awards from over 100 Australian and international organisations. The CSU Art Collection is one of 17 collections short-listed in its category.

While influenza A (H1N1), formerly known as swine flu, has not yet been found in Australia, authorities are urging the public to take precautions against infection. Charles Sturt University (CSU) is holding a public seminar on Wednesday 6 May to provide facts and dispel the myths about the pandemic which is unfolding around the global. Associate Professor in Veterinary Pathobiology at CSU, Shane Raidal, said all new influenza viruses are a threat but the mechanisms put in place by the World Health Organisation provide a means for early detection and intervention. He will address the Reassortment amongst and evolution of influenza viruses at the seminar. Associate Professor in Diagnostic Pathology John Glastonbury, will discuss The pathogenesis and pathology of the disease in pigs and humans. Professor Glastonbury’s teaching and research interests include the diseases of pigs. The third speaker, Dr Ross Cutler, holds an adjunct appointment at CSU and is a veterinarian who specialises in pigs. He will speak about Epidemiology, biosecurity and international issues relating to the influenza.

The seminar is open to the public and will be held on Wednesday 6 May 2009 from 12 - 1pm at the Bangayarra Room at the CSU Convention Centre at Wagga Wagga. RSVP to Ms Kaz Butts on 6933 2760 or savs@csu.edu.au. Associate Professors John Glastonbury and Shane Raidal and Dr Ross Cutler are located in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Wagga Wagga. Associate Professor Glastonbury and Dr Heather Cavanagh are available for comment. See details here.

The international response to the outbreak of the new virus known as influenza A (H1N1), formerly known as swine flu, reveals the tremendous advances that have been made in monitoring and diagnosis of these new strains of influenza in recent years. “It is very encouraging to see the co-ordinated response to the outbreak by the World Health Organisation and countries around the world, including Australia, to prevent the influenza A (H1N1) becoming a pandemic,” said Dr Heather Cavanagh, a specialist in infectious disease and senior lecturer with the School of Biomedical Sciences at Wagga Wagga. Dr Cavanagh noted that “until we know the exact number of people who have been infected we are unable to determine the exact risk of fatality.  People should not panic at the publicity over this outbreak but should use common sense in avoiding areas where there have been confirmed cases, practice high hygiene standards such as hand-washing and see medical attention if flu-like symptoms persist or appear particularly severe.  This virus is currently responding well to anti-viral drugs, however, there is a need to catch it in time to prevent fatalities.”   Dr Cavanagh says there is nothing unusual in influenza viruses crossing species. “But the concern with this outbreak is due to the unusual combination of species susceptible to it, the fact that it can be passed directly from person-to-person and the potential ability of the virus to further mutate as it passes around the world,”  said Dr Cavanagh.