What do young school children, computers and the environment have in common? This Thursday 29 October, over 80 kindergarten and Year 2 pupils from Thurgoona Public School (TPS) will team up with education students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) at the wetlands on the University’s environmentally sensitive Thurgoona location to take photos of their adventures in the wetlands and write a digital story together. The students are taking part in an educational experience developed by CSU early childhood lecturer Dr Noella Mackenzie from the CSU Murray School of Education in collaboration with TPS teacher Ms Alison Maguire. Dr Mackenzie said the exercise aimed to combine reading and writing with the environment and using computers in a fun atmosphere. “For some CSU students this is also their first teaching experience, so it will be a very important experience for them, too,” Dr Mackenzie said.

Aboriginal students considering a tertiary degree are encouraged to apply for Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Koori Admissions Program (KAP) within the next week to ensure they are considered for study in 2010. The annual KAP is an alternative entry program designed specifically for Indigenous students. The KAP provides potential students with a supportive and caring environment to assess whether or not they are likely to be suited to university life. It is free of charge to eligible participants, with travel, meal and accommodation costs funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training. Students who successfully complete the KAP will be offered a place in their chosen course at any CSU campus or via distance education. Koori students interested in being part of the program should register their interest with the University’s Indigenous Student Services (ph 6338 4236) in the coming weeks or visit here.

Do you stutter or know someone who does? Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students are running intensive stutter treatment sessions for adults in Albury-Wodonga and surrounding areas between Monday 16 November and Friday 20 November. Final-year CSU speech pathology students will be supervised by Albury speech pathologist Ms Lisa Brown, who has conducted similar intensive stutter treatments over recent years and is completing her PhD research on stuttering with CSU’s School of Community Health. “Around one per cent of all Australian adults stutter and it can make communication quite difficult. We will provide strategies and techniques to reduce the impact of stuttering, as well as provide invaluable training for the students,” Ms Brown said. The program starts with an assessment then intensive treatment for the remainder of the week. The program is also open to adults who have been in previous treatment and want to ‘brush up’ on their skills to deal with their stuttering. To take part in the treatment sessions, contact Speech Pathology Clinical Coordinator Ms Marion Vile on (02) 6051 6735 or send an email by Monday 2 November.

A representative from the accounting profession will address Charles Sturt University (CSU) accountancy students tomorrow, Tuesday 3 November, on the outstanding job opportunities in the profession to be found locally and internationally for new graduates. Business Development Executive from NSW division of CPA Australia, Mr Josh Price, will address students on CSU’s Albury-Wodonga Campus on the strong local opportunities for employment plus the importance of international recognition for their accounting qualifications in gaining employment overseas. The presentation, starting at 9am on the University’s Thurgoona site, is hosted by the University’s Faculty of Business.

The new Clinical Director of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Allied Health Clinic has landed in Albury-Wodonga with a wealth of professional and academic experience from Canada. Prior to taking up this position with CSU School of Community Health, podiatrist Mr Steven Cassel taught for 10 years in the podiatry program at the Michener Institute in Toronto, Canada, where he developed and managed the on-campus student clinic, which is similar to the CSU clinic in Albury. Mr Cassel said the Michener clinic had chiropractic and naturopathic medicine working together in it, which made students more open to and inclusive of how other allied health professions worked. “I am excited to be working in a similar environment, working with physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the CSU clinic.” Mr Cassel specialises in biomechanics and is looking forward to passing on his expertise to students in treating sports injuries and musculoskeletal problems as well as in wound care and care of the high risk foot, particularly with complications due to diabetes and ulcers. Mr Cassel is also completing a Masters degree through CSU.

Two experts will be at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Albury-Wodonga this week to demonstrate and discuss the latest techniques in managing lower limb injuries. Chief Orthotist for Medical Accessories of Australia, Mr Andrew Torney, will speak on the latest bracing systems for lower limbs. Mr Torney has special interests in managing orthotics with children, sports injuries and lower limb orthotics. He provides orthotic care for major sporting teams such as the Australian Cricket Team, the AFL Brisbane Lions and the NRL Brisbane Broncos. His workshop will commence at 7pm on Wednesday 4 November in the Nowik Lecture Theatre, Guinea Street, Albury. Specialist sports physiotherapist and Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, Mr Matthew Stewart, will speak on and demonstrate the diagnosis and rehabilitation of ankle injuries. Mr Stewart is in private practice, has extensive experience in sports and orthopaedic rehabilitation, and is a clinical educator and lecturer with the University of Sydney and Sports Physiotherapy Australia. His workshop will commence at 7pm on Thursday 5 November in the Nowik Lecture Theatre, Guinea Street, Albury. Visit coordinator and CSU podiatry lecturer, Ms Caroline Robinson, said the free public lectures would be particularly interesting to Border health professionals who deal with lower limb injuries. “Charles Sturt University’s School of Community Health is committed to inter-professional education and the University plays an important role in the education and professional development of health professionals in regional Australia,” Ms Robinson said.

Clap stick painting, bush tucker barbeques, storytelling, dance, poster displays and face painting will all be on show at the annual Indigenous Day for Border primary schools and preschools run by Charles Sturt University (CSU). Students enrolled in the early childhood education course will demonstrate ethical, appropriate teaching for Indigenous activities for children. “At some point in their teaching careers, CSU students will be required to work in groups and these presentations will allow them to gauge how they can do this in ways that work for the benefit of both teachers and school children,” said the event coordinator and CSU Indigenous academic, Yalmambirra. Around 800 school children will attend the event from 9am to 2.30pm on Thursday 12 November, at Mirambeena Community Centre, Lavington (opposite Lavington swimming pool).

People who rely on their voices for their livelihoods, such as teachers, singers and auctioneers, can receive assessment and care for the vocal tools of their trade at a free clinic in Albury starting in November. Speech pathology professionals from Albury Hospital and Charles Sturt University (CSU) along with CSU students will collaborate to offer an 'Intensive Voice Management Clinic' consisting of an assessment and five therapy sessions over three weeks. The sessions will be conducted by voice specialist and speech pathologist, Dr Alison Winkworth, and Albury Hospital senior speech pathologist, Ms Rebecca Clear, together with CSU final-year speech pathology students using the latest voice assessment and therapy technology. The clinic is due to start with an assessment session on Monday 23 November. Potential clients can contact Ms Clear on (02) 6058 4565 or email her rebecca.clear@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au .

Four staff members of Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be recognised for their long service to the institution, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, at a formal luncheon to be held on Thursday 19 November. Mr Mark Carden, a senior manager with the Division of Student Administration, will be recognised for 30 years of service to CSU and its predecessor institutions and local communities. Associate Professor John Atkinson and Mrs Susan Petzke from the Faculty of Business and Mr Philip Sefton from the Division of Information Technology will also receive awards for 20 years service. All are based on the Albury-Wodonga Campus.