Charles Sturt University hosted a visit from the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales and Minister for Western New South Wales on Wednesday 29 May.

Charles Sturt Head of Government Relations and Regional Engagement Ms Samantha Beresford was proud to host the Minister and discussed the positive impact the University was having on advancing essential industries such as agriculture and veterinary science.

“Charles Sturt’s history in agriculture education, research, and innovation extends back almost 130 years,” Ms Beresford said.

 “We are now the largest regional university training the future agricultural, environmental and veterinary workforce, with more than 1,600 students in agriculture and environmental sciences, and almost 700 students in veterinary and animal sciences.”

The Minister and Ms Beresford then discussed Charles Sturt’s extensive investments into new research and ag-tech projects in the agricultural industry.

“Charles Sturt recently announced over $50 million in investment into projects which will revolutionise the Australian Agriculture industry,” Ms Beresford said.

The projects included:

• $22 million for various projects at the Global Digital Farm
• $20 million for various projects in the Renewables in Agriculture program at Charles Sturt University
• $10 million across various projects in the Cool Soils Initiative
• $8 million towards a circularity Centre of Excellence being developed in Wagga Wagga.

Some of the research achievements by Charles Sturt noted during the visit included the discovery of 40 new parasite species; discovering, characterising and reporting, for the first time, invasive and introduced parasites in Australia; and determining novel natural transmission patterns of parasites affecting critically endangered Australian species.

The Minister then spoke with students studying a range of courses, within areas such as nursing, social work, education, and agriculture from a diverse range of backgrounds.

The Minister appreciated the opportunity to meet with the students, including those from First Nations backgrounds, first-in-family university attendees and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

 “It was great to meet with these students who are dedicated to completing their degrees and contributing to regional NSW,” Minister Moriarty said.

The dialogue allowed the Minister to hear directly from the students about the challenges they faced and the opportunities they saw for the future of regional NSW. 

Later that day, the Minister and Charles Sturt staff participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by Business NSW.