The most recent Department of Primary Industries (DPI) figures suggest that, in NSW, there are 835 horses infected with Equine Influenza on 119 confirmed properties. An additional suspect 2900 horses on 319 locations are also in quarantine. Charles Sturt University (CSU) senior lecturer in equine medicine, Dr Sharanne Raidal says most importantly, the NSW Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer reports that every one of these cases has been traced from known contact with affected horses. This means that, to date, the disease has not escaped surveillance measures. Dr Raidal warns that only by containing the virus within a small proportion of the total horse population, and allowing the disease to "burn itself out", will "we succeeded in eradicating EI". Continued careful attention to quarantine restrictions and prompt identification of new cases is required for this to happen. A number of horses with high temperatures, but no known risk of disease, have been tested negative. It is important that all such horses are examined as part of routine, ongoing surveillance for spread of the disease.

Getting the best out of bush blocks is the focus of a one day conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) tomorrow, Wednesday 19 September. Co-hosted by CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society and CSIRO, the one-day Better Bush on Farms Conference will gather researchers and practitioners to discuss the key questions and challenges around developing better “bush blocks” on farms. Problems such as looking after remnant vegetation and paddock trees on farms, the effects of fencing and controlled grazing and the ecological effects of efforts to conserve remnant vegetation will be addressed by speakers from CSU, CSIRO, other universities and government organisations. The meeting will be of particular use for catchment planners and implementation staff, public land managers, vegetation growers, landholders and researchers. The event will be held in the CD Blake Theatre on CSU’s Albury-Wodonga Campus, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

Five podiatry students from Charles Sturt University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus will this Sunday 12 August take on the mighty mass of runners in the Sydney City-to-Surf Fun Run. Local third year students and regular entrants in the local Nail Can Hill run, Brad White and Dominique Ferguson, will be joined by three second- and first-year students in the annual event. The students are being sponsored by the Podiatry Association of NSW, which gives the Albury-based students direct association with their professional body. “Podiatry has close contact with runners and sports groups and jobs are plentiful when we qualify,” said Mr White. Running partner Dominique Ferguson said “this event helps me combine my love for running with work in my chosen profession, and get paid for it when I qualify.”

In recent years, many media have highlighted the “tree change” phenomenon, with many high-paid, highly skilled professionals moving to regional areas to leave the pressures of modern city life for a more relaxed lifestyle. So why are many large organisations in inland Australia having so many difficulties in recruiting skilled professionals such as engineers and accountants? Charles Sturt University (CSU) business researchers Kerry Grigg and Debra Da Silva will explore the problem with managers from large businesses and organisations such as Mars, CooperTools, accounting firm KPMG and Albury City Council at a roundtable discussion on Thursday 20 September on the CSU Albury-Wodonga Campus. Ms Grigg is particularly looking at how such companies are using “work life balance” policies, not just better pay, to lure workers out of the cities to meet the regional skills crisis. “We are experiencing high economic growth and low unemployment, and this makes it difficult to attract professionals to inland areas. But more workers are looking for a ‘tree-change’ to improve their lifestyles. So why are they not coming to Albury?” Ms Grigg said.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is sending a 115-strong team of students to compete in the annual Australian University Games on the Queensland Gold Coast from Sunday 23 to Friday 28 September. This year the games organisers expect around 6 000 students from over 40 universities from across Australia to compete in a range of sports. While CSU has competed successfully before, this is the first year that CSU has representatives from all its major campuses as well as Distance Education students at the games. CSU individuals or teams have entered in athletics, beach volleyball, fencing, golf, men's and women's hockey, women's and mixed netball, mixed touch football, rugby union 7s, water polo and ultimate frisbee. CSU team manager Niklaus Granger said, "The Australian University Games boast previous Commonwealth and World University Games participants. CSU is usually strong in hockey, touch football and rugby union, but who knows what 2007 will hold for the combined CSU team?" Go, CSU, go!

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduate is putting the words into the mouths of some of the nation’s most watched television characters. Ms Kaneana May studied television production at the Wagga Wagga Campus and graduated in 2004 with first class honours in screenwriting, starting her career as a storyliner on the 2005 television series Headland. Ms May, aged 26, says “Since then I have since worked on the Seven network’s All Saints and now work as a script coordinator at Home and Away”.  Ms May was commissioned to write a Home and Away script which went to air in early October. Ms May, from the coastal village Old Bar on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, says “I would definitely encourage others interested in television to do the CSU course. I learned so much about the entire process of television. The course is continually improving to keep pace with what is happening in the industry”.

An initiative to curb the critical shortage of midwives in rural and regional Australia has been recognised in the recent New South Wales health awards. A midwifery training program at Leeton District Hospital and conducted in partnership with Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Griffith and Wagga Wagga base hospitals was nominated for the Director General’s Encouragement Award in the 2007 NSW Health Awards. Three students have completed the program, which includes clinical work at Leeton District Hospital and 12 months of study for CSU’s Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery. “The program is one way to develop sustainable maternity services in rural areas, including continuity in care and local antenatal services for women having babies,” said Leeton District Hospital clinical midwifery specialist and CSU graduate Tania McVittie. 

A new book that looks at quality assurance tools and certification programs in ecotourism will be a valuable guide for new and existing ecotourism operators world-wide. Co-edited by Dr Rosemary Black from Charles Sturt University (CSU), the book, Quality Assurance and Certification in Ecotourism, is the fifth in a series of books on ecotourism published by UK publisher CABI. Dr Black, a social scientist with CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society, said the book has developed from her research on certification of ‘ecotour’ guides. “The book also includes information on quality assurance and certification for different aspects of ecotourism operations like transport, tours and accommodation,” said Dr Black, who spent four years researching and writing the book. Apart from her own work, the book includes contributions from authors around the world including the UK, Australia, America, the South Pacific, South Africa and South America.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dubbo Campus farewelled 26 graduating nurses at a barbeque on Monday 12 November following their return from a four week placement that focussed on the transition to practice as Registered Nurses. Lyn Croxon, lecturer and clinical coordinator in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, said that having completed a three year CSU nursing degree, the students can register with the NSW Nurses’ and Midwives’ Board. “CSU’s nursing students received great support from staff in the various western region hospitals in which they undertook their clinical placements,” she said. “The University thanks all the personnel in the various health settings for their support of our programs and the clinical practicum which is an integral component of the nursing course.” The graduating nurses come from Dubbo, Parkes, Peak Hill, Narromine, Warren and Gulgong. The majority have accepted positions as Registered Nurses at hospitals and health facilities across the western NSW region, while several will pursue careers in Sydney, Gosford and Canberra.