A new facility to further research into the experiences that people have with new computer technologies will be unveiled at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 26 August. The new laboratory in the University library aims to allow researchers to ensure that the needs and practices of computer users are reflected in future software applications and information technologies. The equipment in the new Digital Library Usability Laboratory includes three high-end desktop PCs running on Windows XP, equipped with microphones, headset and Webcam; Morae (version 3) software which allows software and website usability testing for market research; two rooms to accommodate researcher and research participants; and a one-way mirror between rooms to facilitate observation.

A final year agricultural science student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga has secured a prestigious award from the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST). Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) student Mr Jaron Bennett, from Lalbert near Swan Hill in Victoria, was named the most outstanding student in the study of agricultural systems. The award was presented to Mr Bennett by AIAST ACT and Southern NSW President Mr Hugh Dove during the inaugural Agricultural and Animal Industry Careers Fair held at CSU at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 12 August. Students from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences attended the Fair seeking information about careers in agribusiness, agronomy, animal production, horticulture, viticulture and wildlife conservation. One of the exhibitors attending the inaugural Careers Fair was Swift Australia Human Resources Manager, Ms Ainslie Cavanagh who noted, “I was really impressed with this initiative and CSU staff and students have shown a great way forward for the industry”. During the Fair, the National Party’s Whip in the NSW Legislative Council, The Hon. Rick Colless MLC launched the new Bachelor of Agricultural Science.  

 

The Careers Fair was organised by a committee of CSU students who, inspired by the inaugural event, have begun planning for 2010. Read more about the inaugural Agricultural and Animal Industry Careers Fair here. For further information contact, lecturer in Agricultural Systems and Extension Dr Alison Southwell from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga on 02 6933 2636.

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication at Bathurst and School of Visual and Performing Arts at Wagga Wagga will hold their fifth annual information day - iDay - at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney on Saturday 29 August. Head of the School of Communication at Bathurst, Associate Professor Rod McCulloch, said iDay at the Powerhouse Museum has proven to be an invaluable venue for students wanting first-hand information about courses, as well as about studying and living at CSU. “This event has also been directly responsible for many students deciding on a CSU course. Unlike other university open days, iDay allows students access to detailed discussions with course coordinators and students from the Schools of Communication and Visual and Performing Arts, rather than having to wade through hundreds of courses on display at the one time. Feedback from parents, too, is always positive. They like the openness and accessibility of our Schools and academics, and they love to hear from our students. iDay is a great way to start building the relationship between prospective students and our Schools,” Professor McCulloch said.

Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Associate Professor Rod McCulloch from the School of Communication at CSU at Bathurst. Admission is free to iDay at the Powerhouse Museum, Harris St Ultimo, Sydney, on Saturday 29 August.

 

The beauty of the camellias at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga will be on display for all during the 2009 Camellia Show. Organised by Friends of the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, the event will be held on Saturday 5 September and Sunday 6 September. One of the major exhibitors at the annual show has been CSU. The success of the University’s blooms at the event has been due to the work of Mr Bill Mitchell, who retired from the University’s Division of Facilities Management in 2008. For more than 10 years he collected the camellias from near the library at CSU at Wagga Wagga and prepared them for exhibition. Mr Mitchell will continue to exhibit on behalf of CSU this year. “The camellias were planted in abundance in the library precinct and despite the drought, they have done well to produce beautiful blooms each year,” said Mr Mitchell.

Friends of the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens will hold its 2009 Camellia Show on Saturday 5 September and Sunday 6 September at the Sturt Public School Hall, White Street, Kooringal, Wagga Wagga. Mr Charles Lee from the Friends of the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens is available on 02 6931 2147. Mr Bill Mitchell is available on 02 69262 260.

To arrange an interview with CSU veterinary science Ms Emma Packer, contact CSU Media. As one of  the inaugural students to study veterinary science at CSU at Wagga Wagga, Ms Packer is about to start an intense 30-week schedule of work placements which will shore up her veterinary science studies prior to graduation in 2010. A rotation of three-week placements at 10 veterinary practices, commencing at Warrnambool, Victoria and Coonamble, NSW will see Ms Packer putting into practice the skills and knowledge gained after four-and-a-half years of study.

An orphaned foal born prematurely at the Veterinary Clinical Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga is receiving round-the-clock care from dedicated veterinary, equine and animal science students. Affectionately named Tim Tam, the foal was born by caesarean section in early August when it was clear his mother would not survive irreparable bowel damage. Since his birth he has received 24-hour attention from a team of veterinary and nursing staff at CSU, ably assisted by over 30 students rostered on six to 12 hour shifts. Students were only too happy to be involved in his care, which has included respiratory support, intravenous feeding, medication and two hourly turning. Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine at CSU, Dr Sharanne Raidal says the mare in foal was brought to the Veterinary Clinical Centre with severe colic, as it was one of the only facilities in the region that could provide the immediate care needed. “Not only does the foal receive excellent care at the centre, it provides our veterinary science students with hands on experience that is invaluable in their training to become rural vets. We are very proud of the enthusiasm and dedicated care demonstrated by staff and students,” said Dr Raidal.

Dr Sharanne Raidal is a Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga. The Veterinary Clinical Centre opened in April 2008 and is located on Agriculture Avenue adjacent to the Equine Centre at CSU. It includes a modern large animal hospital with operating theatres, sophisticated diagnostic imaging facilities, a reproduction unit and small animal teaching laboratories.

The popular image of the soldiers of the first Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) during World War I is of high-spirited larrikins. This will be challenged by historian Dr Peter Stanley when he delivers the third Theo Barker Memorial Lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Friday 14 August. Dr Stanley, who is Director of the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, says memoirs, battalion histories and biographies are full of stories that reinforce the idea that Australian citizen soldiers in World War I behaved like naughty boys, and that their antics were harmless or benign. “But there was a dark side to the AIF's wrong-doers,” he says. “Though little acknowledged, the AIF included many men who contravened military law. They stole, answered back, refused to obey orders, got drunk, wounded themselves to get out of the war, and went absent or deserted, and in huge numbers,” said Dr Stanley.

Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Dr Peter Stanley from the National Museum of Australia. Dr Stanley is the author of over 20 books, mainly on Australian and British military social history. The third Theo Barker Memorial Lecture is free and is jointly presented by CSU and the Bathurst District Historical Society. It will be held from 6pm on Friday 14 August in the main Lecture Theatre, building S15 at CSU at Bathurst. The lecture is held in honour of Mr Barker, a history lecturer at one of CSU’s predecessor institutions, the Mitchell College of Advanced Education. He wrote a history of the Bathurst campus and a two volume history of Bathurst.

Does cramming really help students prepare for the HSC? With many starting their HSC trial exams today, students are discovering what study methods work best for them. Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Dr Deb Clarke believes a well prepared study plan is a great start to study and suggests a visit to NSW HSC online for inspiration. “NSW HSC online explicitly follows the syllabus content and has a range of activities for students to complete that can be used to refine and rehearse their knowledge of HSC content,” said Dr Clarke. With so many resources now available online, Dr Clarke advises students to find government-supported sites that provide accurate material. For more information on NSW HSC online visit here.

 

Dr Deb Clarke is a senior lecturer with the School of Human Movement Studies at CSU at Bathurst. For interviews contact CSU Media. NSW HSC online was hosted by CSU in 2007 in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education and Training.

 

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is giving young people the opportunity to have an input into the challenging issues such as homelessness, teen suicide, drugs, poverty and crime. The Making a Difference (MaD) competition is now open and submissions close on Monday 5 October. “By writing a story, poem or script that addresses any issue of social justice, entrants are in the running to receive one of four $250 cash prizes,” explains CSU coordinator Mr Bill Anscombe. “In addition, Charles Sturt University will donate $250 to the charity of the winners’ choice.”  The School of Humanities and Social Sciences’ Social Justice Innovation Award is eligible to anyone aged between 15 and 21 and are in Years 10, 11 and 12 at high school or studying at TAFE. Judging will take place in October, with the winners announced early November.

Mr Bill Anscombe is a senior lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga. More information, including a full list of competition conditions, is available here. For interviews contact CSU Media

 

The forum is free and will be held from 9am to 4pm on Thursday 13 August in the Parkes Services Club, Parkes in NSW. Read more about Asia Today Forum 2009 here. The forum is jointly organised by the Asian Agribusiness Research Centre at CSU and Regional Development Australia Central West. The event is supported by NSW Farmers Association, Central West Farming Systems and Conservation Agriculture and No-Till Farmers Association Australia. The Asian Agribusiness Research Centre at CSU provides research and consultancy services related to trends and developments in the Asian agribusiness sector.