New South Wales Minister for Education and Training John Aquilina today announced the Ministerial appointees to the newly-formed Charles Sturt University Council.

The new community representatives appointed by the Minister are: Land and Water Conservation Department Regional Director Dr Geoff Wise; Bathurst Mayor Ian Macintosh; Education and Training Department Deputy Director-General Jim McMorrow; and reappointment of long-serving Board of Governors member and Wagga Campus Advisory Council Presiding Officer Anne Brassil.

The four-year appointments are effective immediately, following expiration of the terms of office for the previous appointees to the Charles Sturt University Board of Governors. The new CSU Council formed following recent amendments to the Charles Sturt University Act replaces the Board of Governors as the governing body of CSU, which approves policies affecting the University.

One appointed member of the retiring board, the Albury-Wodonga Campus Advisory Council Presiding Officer Gordon Beavan, will also serve with the new Council, but in a different capacity - that of a CSU graduate.

The other graduate members of the new Council also announced by Mr Aquilina today are: the Dubbo Campus Advisory Council Inaugural Presiding Member Susan Benedyka; former president of the Wagga Agricultural College Old Boys Union John Mahon; and OzWorld online radio network partner and Microsoft executive John Treloar.

The eight ministerial appointees to the 19 member Council have also been selected to represent all regional areas serviced by Charles Sturt University's four campuses.

CSU Chancellor David Asimus, AO, welcomed the Council members today, praising their depth of community commitment, involvement and the range of skills and experience they bring to the forum.

"My pleasure in welcoming this new Council is tempered by sadness in losing some of the stalwarts who have been with Charles Sturt University for many years and have made a significant contribution to the community and this University," Mr Asimus said.

"In particular I will miss the Reverend Angus Ewin and Emeritus Professor Jim Hagan, who also served as Deputy Chancellor for the past seven years, and whose advice and support I've enjoyed for about 20 years now.

"I'm delighted that three of our graduate members have been reappointed to serve with us again, and also welcome the new member, Mr Treloar, who is an extremely well qualified businessman and long-time friend of the University."

The new Council will assemble in Bathurst for its first meeting on Friday 20 August.