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WAGGA WAGGA
Home > Regional News > Wagga Wagga
On Australian education in a greener world
21 Apr 2009
 Education, industrial relations and a low carbon future is the topic of a public lecture to be presented by Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Sharan Burrow at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury on Thursday 23 April. Ms Burrow says Australian education institutions are well placed to deepen workforce planning and frame skills development to meet the challenges facing Australia. "We must position ourselves to ensure we have the education and skills to capture a half trillion dollar share of a three trillion dollar global green industry. Our universities and colleges, businesses and unions, must drive demand for research and development and for an intensity of skills effort like never before, and government must stand ready to partner these plans. Our workplaces must meet the industrial challenges and changes this new economy requires," Ms Burrow said. The second annual Bob Meyenn Education Lecture will commence at 7.30pm in the Nowik Auditorium, CSU Albury City site, Guinea St, Albury.
Media Note: For interviews with ACTU President, Ms Sharan Burrow, contact CSU Media. Print this story National festival gets animated
21 Apr 2009
 Over 120 animated films, selected from 2 000 world-wide, will screen in Wagga Wagga when the Australian International Animation Festival returns in May for its sixth year. Festival organiser and Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Mr Andrew Hagan said all films were selected by experts, with many having won international awards and a few making their premiere screening. “The range of styles, genres and techniques is testament to the vibrancy and relevance of creative animation. We’ve worked hard to reflect that incredible diversity to capture a true snapshot of the inspiring international animation scene,” Mr Hagan said. “A lead animator on the hit movie Mary & Max, Mr John Lewis, has created an exclusive trailer from sand-animation which will play in the cinema in the lead up to the festival.” Children can also view a carefully selected program for young children and, for the first time, the Festival’s International Program is open to all, including high school students.
Media Note: The Festival, supported by CSU, will be held at the Forum 6 Cinemas, Trail Street, Wagga Wagga from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May. A Festival pass which includes entry to all films costs $30, single tickets are $10, children’s tickets are $5 and are available from Forum 6 Cinemas on (02) 6921 6863. Free talks and workshops presented by filmmakers will also be held, giving interested people the opportunity to ask questions about what happens behind-the-scenes in film making. See the full program here for details. To arrange interviews with Mr Andrew Hagan, course co-ordinator of the CSU Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Visual Effects), contact CSU Media. Print this story Climate change and growing wine grapes
14 Apr 2009
 Key problems facing Australian horticultural production from climate change have been well documented. In a seminar at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at CSU at Wagga Wagga, researcher Dr Andrew Hall will focus on the impacts for the Australian wine industry. “Reduced availability of irrigation water, increased pests and diseases, particularly fruit fly, reduction in grape quality and value, and changes to the profitability of other crops are factors that will impact the industry,” said Dr Hall. A NWGIC research fellow, Dr Andrew Hall will present the seminar, Effect of potential climate change on Australian wine-grape growing conditions on Wednesday 15 April. Current work at the NWGIC involves improving temperature index forecasts for the wine industry. This is being done through improving the estimation of growing season start dates, forecasting temperature index ranges and extreme heat events, and determining which climate models best fit individual wine regions.
Media Note: The presentation will take place on Wednesday 15 April, from 2pm to 3pm in the seminar room, Wine and Food Industry Training Centre, building 412, near car park 11, McKeown Drive, CSU, Wagga Wagga. Dr Hall is available for interview. The NWGIC combines research, extension, education and training for the wine industry and is an alliance of CSU, NSW Department of Primary Industries and NSW Wine Industry Association. Print this story Water saving leads way on environmental scorecard
14 Apr 2009
Charles Sturt University (CSU) has already reached its 2015 target for water savings having slashed its water use by over 40 per cent in the past two years. These figures were highlighted in the 2008 CSU Environmental Scorecard recently released by the University. “This is a fantastic effort across the whole University, all the more important as most of these campuses are or have been in drought declared areas across NSW,” said William Adlong, Manager of CSU’s sustainability office, CSU Green. “Water usage at CSU in 2008 decreased by 16 per cent.” Energy use has decreased by eight per cent since 2006, with a slight increase by 1.5 percent during 2008. “However, there has been an increase in the area of buildings heated and cooled as CSU continued its extensive building program in 2007 and 2008,” said CSU Energy Manager Edward Maher. CSU is also addressing the carbon emissions caused by its staff travelling in cars and aircraft by replacing its large petrol cars with hybrid, diesel and small four cylinder cars in 2009.
Media Note: For interviews with CSU Green manager, Mr William Adlong, or Energy Manager, Mr Edward Maher, contact CSU Media. The 2008 CSU Environmental Scorecard is available here. Print this story Water chief looks to future
14 Apr 2009
 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSW State Water and former Murray Irrigation Ltd CEO, Mr George Warne will present his views on the future for water at a seminar to be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga on Thursday 16 April. Mr Warne’s talk, entitled Where to in water?, will outline the challenges and trends facing the industry, emerging external issues and why the future holds promise. “With the Murray Darling Basin and water resources dominating the national debate and the political agenda, the water industry is in the midst of a period of profound change,” said Mr Warne. The International Centre of Water for Food Security (IC WATER) at CSU holds monthly seminars with national and international water experts invited to discuss the emerging issues and policies dealing with sustainable management of water resources for food security.
Media Note: The seminar will be held on Thursday 16 April from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at the Wine and Food Industry Training Centre, McKeown Drive, CSU, Wagga Wagga. To arrange interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Breeding quality bulls, Italian style
14 Apr 2009
 A Charles Sturt University (CSU) expert in animal fertility is confident his recent visit to Italy will foster new links and help solve mutual problems in breeding quality bulls. CSU Professor of Veterinary Reproduction Peter Chenoweth was guest speaker at a Master of Dairy Production Medicine symposium conducted by the University of Perugia, Umbria. “It allowed us to establish collaborative networks between academics and industry in Australia and Italy, based upon mutual problems and complementary expertise,” said Professor Chenoweth. “I also inspected the National Association of Italian Beef Cattle Breeders Central Genetics Centre and observed the future sires of the iconic Italian breeds, Marhigiana, Chianina and Romagnola. These animals represent an invaluable genetic resource, not only for Italy but also for the rest of the world.” Professor Chenoweth and an Italian colleague are pursuing funding opportunities for reciprocal collaboration for research in livestock fertility.
Media Note: Professor Peter Chenoweth is based at CSU at Wagga Wagga and teaches in subject areas including reproduction, animal behaviour and welfare. A paper written about his Italian visit will be published in the April issue of Bollettino della Comunita’ Scientifica in Australasia and is available here. For interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story Gothic art on display
14 Apr 2009
 The ‘gothic’ subculture in the Riverina will be explored by Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Mr Chris Orchard during a talk about his exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 18 April. A photography lecturer with the CSU School of Visual and Performing Arts, Mr Orchard is the curator of the exhibition Memento Mori: Gothic Subculture in Regional Australia. He is also a member of Wagga After Dark, a collaboration of young artists with an interest in gothic subculture. Clothing, jewellery, music, film and photographs have been contributed to the exhibition.
Media Note: Memento Mori: Gothic Subculture in Regional Australia is on at the Museum of the Riverina’s Historic Council Chambers site until Sunday 3 May. Lecturer Mr Chris Orchard will present the floor talk from 11am on Saturday 18 April. Print this story Award for learning and teaching support
14 Apr 2009
 Building confidence and skills in over 20 000 Charles Sturt University (CSU) students since 1988 has been the driving force for the CSU team behind STUDY LINK. The team, based in the CSU Division of Student Services at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga, has been named the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs that Enhance Learning 2008. STUDY LINK is a program to prepare CSU’s diverse student population for tertiary education. Since its inception in 1988, over 23 000 students have enrolled in the program. “The STUDY LINK team aims to build confidence, skills and knowledge in a supportive environment in preparation for University study,” said team leader, Ms Liz Smith. “The contribution Liz and her team make to support the aspirational achievements of socially, geographically and educationally diverse students who have applied to CSU over many years is both well known and well respected,” said Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Jo-Anne Reid.
Media Note: Manager of Learning Skills, Ms Liz Smith is based at CSU at Bathurst. Her STUDY LINK team members are based across the University. Ms Smith is available for interview. Read more here. Print this story Broadband on track
07 Apr 2009
 The Federal Government has finally got the plan right for the National Broadband Network (NBN) according to Charles Sturt University (CSU) adjunct researcher Mr Peter Adams. Mr Adams, who has studied household broadband adoption for the past seven years, said today's announcement by the Rudd Government that it would form a public-private partnership to build the NBN is the best outcome from what has been an issue poorly managed by successive governments."Having the Commonwealth control the building of such important national infrastructure will ultimately achieve the best outcome for broadband users by ensuring there is clear separation between the provider of the cables and the commercial companies who compete to service consumers.” The researcher from CSU's Centre for Research in Complex Systems warned the Rudd Government now has a big job: it will manage the building of the network, and needs to convince households they will be better off under the proposed NBN. "Research conducted at CSU in 2008 showed householders are not convinced they should spend their income on higher speed broadband. Clear information must be provided to consumers about the benefits of NBN services."
Media Note: Mr Peter Adams is based in Wagga Wagga and can be contacted on mobile 0438 255 964. He is an adjunct researcher with CSU's Centre for Research in Complex Systems.
Print this story Collected rainwater under scrutiny
07 Apr 2009
While rain water may be free, drinking it may not be risk free, says one Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher. Dr Andrea Crampton, a microbiologist with the CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society, said while drinking water supplied to cities and towns is treated and routinely monitored for bacteria and other potential contaminants, the water drunk by most rural residents living on properties is not monitored and detection and prevention is left in the hands of the consumer. “Drinking water harvested from roofs, bores, dams or rivers could pose health risks to those who rely on it,” said Dr Crampton, who is part of a research team currently testing water from self-managed sources for bacteria and other contaminants. As part of the study, which is running around Wagga Wagga in April and May, participants will be sent a water test kit consisting of a survey, collection bottles, instructions and cooler bag with ice pack to keep water cool. Participants will also be contacted for a telephone interview. Anyone interested in participating in the study and having drinking water tested for free please contact Dr Crampton on (02) 6933 4032 or send an email.
Media Note: For interviews with CSU microbiologist Dr Andrea Crampton, contact CSU Media. Print this story |
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