• The Governor of NSW met students, academics and researchers and toured facilities at the University in Wagga Wagga

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, AC QC, Governor of New South Wales and her husband Mr Wilson visited Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday, 7 June to learn about the real-world benefits of its teaching and research.

Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon said she welcomed Her Excellency and Mr Wilson’s visit and their interest in the University.

On the day, Her Excellency and Mr Wilson were welcomed by local Wiradjuri elder Uncle Pat Connolly (pictured top) who performed a traditional cleansing ceremony using gum leaves, while Charles Sturt lecturer Ms Letetia Harris sang in Wiradjuri language.

Her Excellency and Mr Wilson met students, local community members and academics from the Wiradjuri Language Centre before meeting researchers at the National Life Sciences Hub (NaLSH) and touring the facilities.

Professor Leon said, “Her Excellency was introduced to Professor Sue Green, Professor in Indigenous Australian Studies in the Charles Sturt School of Indigenous Australian Studies, and engaged with students about their experience with the Wiradjuri Language Centre.

“The School of Indigenous Australian Studies teaches two core Indigenous Australian studies foundation subjects which are compulsory in over 55 courses across the three faculties of the University.

“Her Excellency learned that the School has a focus on teaching connection to Country and deep understanding of culture, and its academics co-design, co-teach, and co-convene Hybrid Indigenous Australian studies subjects in allied health, environmental management, law and justice, and education.”

Professor Leon said the School also hosts the Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture, and Heritage (GCLWCH) which was established as a partnership between the Wiradjuri Council of Elders and the University as one outcome of an engagement and collaboration process with the aim of revitalising Wiradjuri language and cultural heritage.

Her Excellency also learned how the course was developed and how Dr Uncle Stan Grant and Dr John Rudder wrote the first Wiradjuri dictionary and travelled the country learning and listening to Elders.

At the NaLSH Her Excellency met Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Michael Friend, Professor Leigh Scmidtcke, and Laboratory Manager Ms Charmaine Carlisle who led the tour of the integrated science hub for food security, human, plant and animal health.

“The NaLSH is a state-of-the-art scientific research, learning and teaching complex constructed to strengthen and grow national education and research excellence,” Professor Leon said.

“It aims to achieve significant outcomes in the national priority areas of plant and animal sciences, food production and security, animal health, and water and environmental sciences.”

Her Excellency said of her visit, “Learning of the significant work being undertaken by the University’s School of Indigenous Australian Studies embedding Wiradjuri language and culture into the everyday experience of the Wiradjuri people was a highlight of our recent visit to the University in Wagga Wagga.

“Equally inspiring was seeing the research being undertaken by the young scientists at the National Life Sciences Hub, which places Charles Sturt University at the centre of the development of agricultural science in this country.

“Both the School of Indigenous Australian Studies and the National Life Sciences Hub affirm the University’s reputation for excellence in academic innovation, intellectual rigour, and community engagement.”