* During NAIDOC week CSU celebrates the history, culture and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and community members

* This year NAIDOC week is being held from 8 to 15 July

* With the theme of Because Of Her We Can CSU will award a number of Indigenous women who influence and shape our local communities

* The awards will be presented at CSU campus based celebrations throughout NAIDOC Week  

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is proud to be celebrating NAIDOC Week across our Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga campuses this week. CSU Orange will be celebrating later this year.

NAIDOC Week is about celebrating the history, culture and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, staff, students and community members.

CSU Vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said, “The University acknowledges the culture and insight of Indigenous Australians through our ethos which is clearly described by the Wiradjuri phrase ‘Yindyamarra Winhanganha’. This phrase means ‘the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living”.

Approximately 2.6% of CSU staff are indigenous and we are supporting more than 1,100 Indigenous Students to achieve their educational goals.

In line with this year NAIDOC theme, Because Of Her We Can¸ CSU called for nominations to award Indigenous women who are influencing and shaping our local communities.

These awards will be presented at local celebrations across our CSU campuses this week. In Port Macquarie, the call for nominations will be announced at a celebration lunch and an awards ceremony will be held in August.

“We are delighted in the number of nominations we have received. It is great to see a number of fabulous women being recognised for their work in our local communities”. Professor Vann said.

“We have had nominations of staff members, former students and community members. As pillars of our society, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played and continue to play an active and significant roles at the community, local, state and national level. So this week our focus will be a celebration of Indigenous women within our Charles Sturt University and wider communities”. Professor Vann concluded.

The public is invited to attend the award ceremonies at our CSU campuses.