Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga has a new Head of Campus. The appointment of Ms Julie Cleary (pictured) as head of Campus was announced by Ms Linda Breen, the acting University Secretary and Director of Corporate Affairs, and acting Director, Government and Community Relations. Ms Breen said, "Julie holds a senior position with Charles Sturt University, as Manager, Innovation and Capability, in the Division of Student Administration. She is an accomplished member of the University and its Albury-Wodonga community. Julie's considerable experience, skills, and networks will benefit the University in extending and developing its relationship with the Albury-Wodonga region." Ms Cleary joined the University in 2002, and has held a range of positions, including a secondment as Deputy University Secretary, and Manager of the CSU Office of Corporate Affairs. Prior to joining CSU she was Personal and Diary Secretary to Mr Tim Fischer, MP, and held teaching and administrative roles with Albury-Wodonga Continuing Education Centre (1999) and Riverina TAFE (1996-1999). "I am delighted to take on the role of Head of campus at Charles Sturt University in Albury-Wodonga," Ms Cleary said. "I look forward to working with the University's students and staff to contribute to a stronger region by strengthening relationships with our Albury-Wodonga community." Ms Breen and Ms Cleary acknowledged the excellent contribution of outgoing Head of Campus Professor Julia Coyle and thanked her for her dedication to advancing relations between the University and the Albury-Wodonga region, including the development of the University's presence in Wangaratta.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga is giving local primary and high school students a taste of university life at two events in coming weeks. Year 6 students from Wodonga West Primary School and Lavington East Public School will experience the pomp and ceremony of a mock graduation on Thursday 27 August. Then on Thursday 3 September, Year 9 students from Finley, Murray and James Fallon High Schools will spend the day in experiential workshops in the laboratory. Program coordinator, Ms Ilena Young said, "Research shows us that students make up their minds very early about what their future will hold. These events are designed to enthuse students and encourage aspiration for higher education." Students will take part in fun and interactive workshops at the CSU Schools of Community Health, Environmental Sciences and Education, tour the campus and spend time with undergraduate students who can give them an insight into university life. The events are run as part of the Future Moves program, a federally funded initiative, run through CSU and aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

Students from the Faculty of Education at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are helping to bring a local author's latest children's book to life. Cinnamon's Birthday Surprise will be released on Saturday 8 August and is the second publication by Albury-Wodonga based author Ms Kim Macklin. It is a sequel to her 2015 book Happy Harry's Beach Adventure which was the official 2015 calendar for Life Without Barriers, an Albury-based organisation supporting people with disabilities. CSU Education student Mr Craig Dent assisted Ms Macklin working on the book in the role of Creative Director."I helped Kim weave her concepts for the book into a narrative thread and then assisted her and Illustrator Mr Colin Dowden to develop a creative and logical sequence for the book," Mr Dent said. "I saw this project as a great opportunity to work with people with disability and enhance my teaching skills. It has been very rewarding to see Kim's vision come to life and realise her passion for books and connecting with children and schools."Education students Miss Samantha Van Berlo and Miss Alice Rash will help to launch the book on Saturday 8 August and, along with Mr Dent, will accompany Ms Macklin on her tour of regional NSW and Victoria as readers. "I knew that being a part of this team was going to be a great experience and I'm sure all the children will love Cinnamon's Birthday Surprise," Miss Rash said. "Being a reader for the book means I get to interact with children, and help bring the character and the story to life. This a great hands-on experience and will be a great help for when I step into the classroom in a teaching role."Education student Miss Clementine Patterson is facilitating a colouring-in competition with Tabletop Public School to help launch the book, and another student Mr Lachlan Mitchell will provide musical entertainment at the launch. "As education students, being able to get involved in a project such as this has been invaluable and has helped us to develop our communication skills for working with children and people with disabilities," Mr Dent said.Cinnamon's Birthday Surprise has been independently published and is funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Lifestyle Solutions, a national provider of disability support in Australia.

The Centre for Engagement and Wellness at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will throw open its doors to the public on Monday 20 July to put its new physiotherapy facilities on display.The Open Day will be held from 10am to 1pm. It will include a free trial of two new classes, Falls Prevention Class from 10am to 11am and Smiling Spine Fitness Class from 12pm to 1pm.Clinical Supervisor Ms Rebecca Piazza said, "The Falls Prevention Class is for senior members of the community who have previously fallen or are at risk of falls. It is a fun, group session with various stations aimed at improving strength, cardiovascular fitness and balance. "We would welcome staff and students from Charles Sturt University as well as members of the local community to the spine fitness class. It is for those who sit for prolonged periods during the day, are subject to heavy or repetitive lifting, or have a history or predisposition to back pain."Both classes will run over 10 weeks from Monday 27 July at a cost of $10 per class. Bookings can be made on (02) 6051 9299 or email ahrecep@csu.edu.au.The classes involve Bachelor of Physiotherapy students under supervision of qualified practitioners. The Centre is part of the University's School of Community Health and offers podiatry and physiotherapy services to the public.Read more in CSU News here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga is hosting two European research students keen to develop their skills and soak up some Australian culture. Mr Fabien Fabrègue from France and Ms Anne Voigt from Germany are spending time at CSU's School of Community Health under the guidance of diabetes researcher Dr Herbert Jelinek.  It was the chance to be part of cutting-edge research that attracted Mr Fabrègue to CSU. "The project I'm involved with is investigating whether a relationship exists between cognitive decline, inflammation and the role of diabetes. Dr Jelinek's research is at the leading edge and he's given me a lot of responsibility and autonomy in the internship." Ms Voigt is examining biomarkers in the blood, which can be used to identify if a patient has an increased risk of diabetes. "An internship abroad not only gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture, but more importantly into a new laboratory culture," she said. "Methods and ways of devising the experiments differ greatly between countries and it is always better to be aware of many alternatives when presented with a new scientific problem."  Dr Jelinek said hosting international students provides a platform for CSU to engage with other universities. "Having international students provides the University with an opportunity to advertise its mission and research output as an important institution nationally and internationally," he said. "As the students move on, some end up in academia or industry and take their experience they gained at Charles Sturt University with them".

Aboriginal girls from high schools in Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga are getting a taste of university life during a three-day camp at Charles Sturt University (CSU) this week. Sixteen students from Years 7 to 10 are taking part in the second Aboriginal Career Links Camp at CSU in Albury-Wodonga from Tuesday 23 June to Thursday 25 June. Organised by the University's Future Moves program, the teenagers are exploring the university campus, attending workshops about Aboriginal women and culture, speech pathology and environmental sciences. A theatre workshop will be held from 10am to 2pm on Thursday 25 June to enable the students to explore the camp's theme, My Creative Spirit. The inaugural camp was held last year. Read more in CSU News here. Future Moves aims to encourage school students to think about their career options and how university might be part of their future.

More than 340 high school students and 20 science teachers will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Friday 19 June for a HSC Science Study Day. Information sessions will be held throughout the day from 9.30am to 2.45pm on preparing and performing in the HSC exams for biology, physics, chemistry and senior science. The event is being organised by the Albury and District Teachers Association to allow rural and remote science students to gain some of the insights that can improve their results in various HSC science courses. Academics from the University's School of Environmental Sciences will give the HSC students an overview of science programs offered by CSU. Senior lecturer in ecology Dr Paul Humphries will also talk to the students about his research on river-related palaeoecology and archaeology during the same session from 12.55pm until 1.25pm in the CD Blake Lecture Theatre, building 751, near car park 2, CSU in Thurgoona.

Operating radio trackers used for wildlife research and learning some of the finer points about feet are just some of the activities planned for Year 9 students when they visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga this week. The students from Finley, Billabong, James Fallon and Murray High Schools;  Oaklands Central School; and Wodonga Middle Years College will visit CSU on Wednesday 17 June as part of the Future Moves program.  Program coordinator Ms Ilena Young said the day will introduce students to university life. "The students will take part in hands-on activities, tour the campus and eat lunch in the student canteen," she said. "By giving students a positive experience we hope to encourage them to think of tertiary study as part of their future." Undergraduate students from CSU's School of Community Health and School of Environmental Sciences will also lead some of the activities and share their experience of university life. Future Moves is a federally funded initiative, run through CSU and aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

High school students will experience a wide range of allied health programs available at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga from 9.30am to 2pm on Thursday 28 May. The University's School of Community Health will host a MyDay for more than 90 students from schools in Albury, Moama, Wagga Wagga, and Wodonga. MyDay aims to showcase CSU courses to high school students who have expressed a particular interest in an area of study. During the day, the students will be involved in practical sessions to showcase programs including physiotherapy, health and rehabilitation science, podiatry, speech pathology and occupational therapy. The students will also hear from CSU staff about entries and pathways into the University, scholarships, and international study opportunities through CSU Global.