The annual 2015 Nguluway conference for Indigenous staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be held in Bathurst on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 November.

Ms Catherine Maxwell, the Indigenous employment coordinator in the CSU Division of Human Resources, said, "Nguluway is the Wiradjuri word for 'meeting with each other', and this annual conference is held at a different campus each year to provide Indigenous staff with the opportunity to come together for networking and professional development. For some, it is also an opportunity to see a new campus, or meet other staff for the first time.

"The 2015 Nguluway conference is particularly significant as we are also celebrating 10 years since the first Indigenous Australian Employment Strategy was implemented at the University in 2005."

Ms Maxwell said that CSU was a national leader in university Indigenous employment, with a current target of 3 per cent and the strategy being reviewed before it enters its fourth cycle in 2016.

"Since implementation of the Indigenous Australian Employment Strategy starting in 2005, Indigenous staff numbers at CSU have increased from 0.9 per cent to 2.64 per cent," she said.

"According to 2014 Department of Education and Training data, this is well above the national average of 1.1 per cent.

"Staff roles are in administration, library services, human resources, technical (computing and labs), student liaison, and marketing, as well as academic and research roles in all Faculties. This equates to a total of 54 Indigenous Australian staff across each of CSU's campuses, in roles equal to two senior staff, 13 academics, and 39 professional staff.

"Similarly, according to the CSU Office of Planning and Audit, the University has 898 active Indigenous Australian students which is 2.8 per cent of enrolled students and is one of the highest proportions of Indigenous students at any Australian university."

On the first day of the 2015 Nguluway conference the invited CSU staff, local community groups and Elders will be welcomed by Aunty Gloria Rogers with a Warming to Country. Participants will learn about Indigenous Australian representation and roles at CSU, and have the opportunity to engage in professional development activities. There will also be a range of trade stalls promoting local services in the area, both within and external to CSU.

The second day will be a staff-focussed day. CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann and Senior Executive Committee (SEC) members will attend to discuss the future directions of the University with an Indigenous focus. This will include a panel discussion with scope for questions and answers.

Ms Maxwell said, "Something else that has been added to Nguluway this year is the launch of the 'Racism. It Stops With Me' campaign. The Vice-Chancellor will introduce the campaign and provide an overview. This launch will be open to all staff and the community, and other campaign activities will take place across campuses during 2016."