The National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, based at Charles Sturt University in NSW, is in a unique position to provide proactive industry led research and education following the inclusion of a new partner, Deakin University in Victoria.

The art of wine-making will be given an innovative boost at the opening of the $1.73 million Stage III of the CD Blake Experimental Winery at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre at CSU Wagga Wagga.

National leaders in the retail and wine sectors in Australia and overseas will be honoured by Charles Sturt University during three days of graduation ceremonies in Wagga Wagga in April.

The decision by the newly elected Rudd Labor government to ratify the Kyoto Protocol effectively ends Australia’s international isolation on climate change and redefines the national agenda for social, economic and environmental challenges.

Charles Sturt University has moved to end concern within the ranks of the NSW Farmers’ Association about the University’s commitment to quality agricultural education for regional and rural Australia following the announcement that CSU is to strategically re-position its agricultural programs at the Wagga Wagga and Orange Campuses.

The Westpac and Charles Sturt University Agribusiness Index for the September 2007 quarter shows a downturn in agribusiness activity and confidence for regional NSW and northern Victoria.

CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon. Chris Evans, of funding of around $8 million to tackle the chronic shortages of tertiary educated agricultural professionals in Australia.

The importance of careers in agriculture, as highlighted by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Quentin Bryce, AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, in her Australia Day address, has been echoed by a CSU academic and a graduate.

An innovative experimental winery at Charles Sturt University is set to enhance Australia’s reputation for producing a quality product from the fruit of the vine.