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WAGGA WAGGA
Home > Regional News > Wagga Wagga
A new tool for fruit fly control
03 Mar 2009
 Two species of parasitic wasps, identified in southern NSW during on-going research at Charles Sturt University (CSU), could unlock new ways to fight fruit fly in Australia. PhD student Mrs Jennifer Spinner has been collecting fruit ‘stung’ by fruit fly in home gardens during the fruit fly season (October to May) in Albury, Cootamundra, Ganmain, Gundagai, Lake Cargelligo, Lockhart and Wagga Wagga. The fruit has been held in a laboratory at CSU at Wagga Wagga in a controlled temperature environment until adult fruit fly or parasitic wasps emerge. “I am examining whether the wasps are present in inland NSW and whether large releases of the wasps could be used for the biological control of fruit fly,” said Mrs Spinner. The female wasp lays her eggs inside the fruit fly larvae, which hatch and feed on the fruit fly larvae, ultimately killing the pest. In 2009, the PhD student will travel to Guatemala, Hawaii and Mexico where releases of parasitoids have improved the management of fruit fly.
Media Note: Mrs Spinner is a student with the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity based at the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Wagga Wagga. The research project is supported by Riverina Citrus and Horticulture Australia Limited and supervised by Professor Geoff Gurr, Dr Olivia Kvedaras and Mr Andrew Jessup. Mrs Spinner recently presented the early findings of her research ‘Parasitic wasps: a new tool for fruit fly management in Australia?’ to the 3rd International Symposium for the Biological Control of Arthropods in New Zealand. Print this story Faith and evolution in the 21st century
03 Mar 2009
 Celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the birth of the ‘father of evolution’, Charles Darwin, will include a seminar highlighting two prominent Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientists this weekend in Wagga Wagga. A workshop will be held on Saturday 7 March to discuss the theory of evolution and Christian faith, with keynote speakers including CSU’s Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Nick Klomp, who will speak on science and evolution. Internationally recognised water scientist and active Christian, Professor David Mitchell from CSU, will then talk on ‘The role of uncertainty in the pursuit of truth’, while seminar coordinator, Fr Roger Munson, will discuss evolution and its implications for a progressive faith in the 21st Century.
Media Note: The seminar and weekend celebration will be held from 2pm at St John's Anglican Church in Wagga Wagga from Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 March. For interviews before the event with CSU Dean of Science, Professor Nick Klomp, or CSU’s Professor David Mitchell, contact CSU Media. For interviews about the seminar and the celebration, contact Fr Roger Munson on mobile 0408 674 762. Fr Roger Munson is former Dean of St Alban's Cathedral in Griffith.
Print this story Uniting through faith
24 Feb 2009
 Fourteen visitors from Indonesia touring Victoria and Tasmania to bring closer understanding between Muslims and Christians will meet with members of the Border community at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Tuesday 3 March. Hosted by the Uniting Church in Australia, the group particularly aims to increase mutual understanding and cultural appreciation between the Muslim majority of Indonesia and Australia’s Christian communities. While in Albury, the group will visit the University’s facilities and speak with CSU students at Thurgoona. “The University hopes the visit will enhance understanding and relations between the faiths and our cultures,” said visit coordinator and CSU student counsellor Mr Geoff Simmons. The visit will include a public forum hosted by CSU Professor The Rev. James Haire from the University’s School of Theology in Canberra.
Media Note: For interviews with CSU student counsellor Geoff Simmons on Monday 2 March, or with Professor The Rev. James Haire who has worked in this field and Indonesia for many years, contact CSU Media. The public forum, Social Justice in the Christian and Islamic Faiths, will start at 7.30pm on Tuesday 3 March at the Nowik Lecture Theatre, Guinea St, Albury. Print this story Senior international appointment for CSU scientist
24 Feb 2009
 International recognition for his expertise in wetland management has led to the reappointment of a senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientist to a scientific panel for the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Director of CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society Professor Max Finlayson will be a member of Ramsar's Scientific and Technical Review Panel from 2009 to 2012, specialising in the effects of climate change on wetlands and water and the social and economic effects on people who rely on them. Professor Finlayson said the appointment is a great honour and is recognition of scientific expertise available at CSU. The Ramsar Convention, established in 1975, aims to protect wetlands worldwide, including the iconic Barmah Forest and Lower Lakes on the Murray River and the Macquarie Marshes in central NSW.
Media Note: For interviews with ILWS Director Professor Max Finlayson, contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU blood donors wanted for Red Cross
24 Feb 2009
.jpg) In this Year of the Blood Donor staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are being asked to donate blood on its five campuses from Monday 2 to Friday 6 March. As part of CSU’s 20th anniversary celebrations this year, the University has issued a ‘North-South’ challenge, with the total staff and student donations at CSU campuses at Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst (North) being tallied against donations at Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga (South). The Head of Campus at CSU at Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, said the University aims to achieve 1 000 donations during the week. “While we have been planning this event for some time, it is given added urgency and significance by the needs of burns victims from the recent bushfires in Victoria,” Mr Sharp said. “I urge all University staff and students to donate blood if they possibly can. It costs nothing, takes less than an hour and does so much good.” One in three Australians will need blood during their lifetime, yet only one in 30 donates blood.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Print this story Inaugural postgraduate program for Griffith
19 Feb 2009
The first postgraduate program to be offered locally in Griffith will start on Friday 20 February with the launch of the Graduate Certificate in Management (Professional Practice). Run from the Griffith campus of TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, the program is operated by the Australian Graduate Management Consortium, an initiative of Charles Sturt University (CSU) and TAFE NSW. Students in the program stem from a wide range of local businesses, including wineries, health services and rural supplies, with interest also being shown from manufacturing establishments. “We are very pleased that we can offer this program to the Griffith community, which provides the opportunity to study a Charles Sturt University postgraduate award course locally, with assignment work that can be applied directly to the workplace,” said Ms Jan Knox, Operations Manager with the University’s Professional Development Unit. The course is a 12 month part-time program. Graduates will receive a graduate certificate from CSU. The four key subject areas in the program are Management Skills and Concepts, Managing Operations and Change, Managing People, and Managing Financial Operations.
Media Note: Further information is available from Ms Jan Knox, Operations Manager, at CSU Faculty of Business’ Professional Development Unit on 02 6051 9430; Mr Tony McBride, Head of Campus, Griffith and Lake Cargelligo, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute on 02 6962 0450; and Ms Kerrie Staines, Head Teacher, Business Services/IT, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute on 02 6962 0426.
Print this story Lecturer nominated for international industry award
17 Feb 2009
 As he prepares for the arrival of students from Monday 23 February, animation and special effects lecturer at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Mr Damian Candusso has been nominated for an international industry award for his work on the feature film, Australia. Mr Candusso is part of a five member team of sound effects editors nominated for a Motion Picture Sound Editors’ (MPSE) Golden Reel Award. The Australia team has been nominated in the category of ‘Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR in a Foreign Feature Film’. Other films nominated in this category include The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, In Bruges, Quantum of Solace, Slumdog Millionaire and Sukiyaki Western Django. The 56th Golden Reel Awards, hosted by the MPSE in Los Angeles on Saturday 21 February, is the industry’s precursor to the Academy Awards on Sunday 22 February. Mr Candusso is a lecturer at CSU’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. He took leave for the second semester in 2008 to work on Australia. Read more here.
Media Note: CSU lecturer Mr Damian Candusso is available for interview about the Motion Picture Sound Editors’ 56th Golden Reel Awards. Contact CSU Media. Print this story New collaboration to research groundwater
17 Feb 2009
 A leading Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic will lead a team of researchers contributing to the recently announced five-year, $30 million Australian Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. Professor Allan Curtis, a social researcher with the CSU Institute for Land, Water and Society is well known for his work in natural resource management and rural communities in South Eastern Australia. Professor Curtis says the project aims to improve Australia’s capacity to better manage ground water resources which are threatened by over-extraction and pollution. “While the Centre will examine issues around the sustainable harvesting of groundwater resources, including the interactions between surface and groundwater, there is an important contribution for social research in terms of engaging groundwater users in developing practices that make more effective use of groundwater; and developing innovative arrangements that lead to more sustainable use of groundwater,” he said. The new centre is a partnership of 20 organisations including the Australian Research Council and the National Water Commission, CSIRO and 12 universities. Professor Curtis, along with other CSU researchers including Dr Digby Race and Dr Maureen Rogers, will work to identify projects to be funded over the next six months.
Media Note: Allan Curtis is Professor of Integrated Environmental Management and Head of Campus, Albury Wodonga. Professor Curtis is available for interview. Photos are also available. Contact CSU Media. Print this story The perennial possibilities of wheat
17 Feb 2009
 The opportunities in Australia for growing perennial wheat are being investigated by Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student Ms Nicole Hyde. As part of a Cooperative Research Centre for Future Farm Industries project, Ms Hyde late last year began to investigate several key questions: Can perennial wheat regrow in following seasons? Can perennial wheat survive our hot, dry summers? How does perennial wheat survive and regrow? “Perennial wheat is being developed in the USA, Russia, China, Argentina and now Australia, by crossing annual bread wheat with various perennial grasses,” said Ms Hyde. “The result should be a perennial grain crop that has the potential to offer significant benefits in Australian farming systems, including improved soil structure, reduced dry land salinity problems, and the provision of feed for grazing during the critical break-of-season period. However perennial wheat has never before been grown in Australia, so we do not yet know if these benefits will actually be delivered.” Ms Hyde hopes to complete her PhD by late 2011.
Media Note: PhD student Ms Nicole Hyde will deliver a seminar, ‘Opportunities for perennial wheat in Australia’, from 3pm on Thursday 19 February in the conference room, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Pugsley Place off Pine Gully Road. Ms Hyde is a member of the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an initiative of CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Print this story Heading north
17 Feb 2009
 Exploring the role of design in the natural and cultural heritage of inland NSW is on the busy agenda of Margaret Woodward as she settles into her new role as Head of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga. Formerly Head of Visual Communication at the Tasmanian School of Art in Hobart, Associate Professor Woodward started work at CSU on Monday 2 February as temperatures hit the early forties. “I’m excited to be at CSU in Wagga Wagga and to be living in inland NSW,” said Associate Professor Woodford. “I also look forward to seeing the city’s contrast to my previous workplaces in Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne and more recently in Tasmania. The city has a strong but different sense of place to Tasmania.” With a background in graphic design, the new Head of School has a research interest in the recently emerging field of interpretation design, the design associated with cultural and natural heritage interpretation found in historic sites, visitor centres and national parks.
Media Note: The new Head of the CSU’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, Associate Professor Margaret Woodward is available for interview. Photos are also available. Contact CSU Media. The School offers a range of programs including acting, design for theatre and television, animation and visual effects, fine arts, photography, graphic design, jewellery, television production and multimedia. Print this story |
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