Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury Wodonga will host a free public lecture aimed at increasing awareness of the Islamic faith. The lecture on Friday 28 November by Islamic Chaplain to CSU, Dr Recep Dogan has been organised in conjunction with the Islamic Society of Albury Wodonga. CSU Ecumenical Chaplaincy Co-ordinator Rev Judy Redman said "The rise of Islamic extremists has prompted a lot of misunderstanding and fear in the wider community about what being a Muslim means, this lecture is an opportunity to hear from a leading scholar, Dr Dogan about the foundations of the faith and hopefully to dispel some of the misconceptions." A lecturer in traditional Islamic studies at CSU's Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation, Dr Dogan is a prominent Muslim scholar, author and a respected community activist. "Extreme groups can deceive young minds through all forms of media and the only way to prevent their harm is to hold such events to educate and open minds," said Dr Dogan. "The biggest misunderstanding about Islam is often that it is associated with terrorism, this is great mistake as the majority of Muslims are against all kind of terrorist activities."

Sustainable living is the focus for a week-long event sponsored by Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development for the Murray Darling Basin (RCE-MD) starting Sunday 26 October. Activities commence with public tours of CSU's award winning environmentally friendly buildings at its Albury-Wodonga campus, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona, commencing at 3 pm. "Host of the ABC's Gardening Australia show, Costa Georgiadis, will be at various events for adults and children during the week to encourage the people of Albury and Wodonga to support sustainable living in our region," said RCE coordinator, Dr John Rafferty. RCE-MD staff will also present displays on solar power and saving water from its mobile learning centre at the Sustainable Solutions fair in QEII Square, Dean Street, Albury at 10 am on Monday 27 October, and at Eco-Living @ the Cube, Hovell Street, Wodonga, at 10 am on Wednesday 29 October. Dr Rafferty will also host Sustainability at the Pub at Paddy's Hotel, Kiewa Street, Albury, starting at 7 pm on Wednesday 29 October, to look at local renewable energy projects and how local residents can become part of community-owned power.

Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff members have reached a significant milestone in their work careers: they have both worked for CSU 30 years or more. Mr Ian Hume and Mr Laurence Till will be joined by seven other staff from the University's Albury-Wodonga campus who have worked with CSU for 20 years in a celebration of loyal service and commitment to the University and the Albury-Wodonga community. Head of CSU in Albury-Wodonga Professor Julia Coyle said such displays of loyal service are rare in these days of ever-changing career paths and mobile populations. "All staff being recognised in this ceremony have provided individual contributions that have been key to the success of the University's Albury-Wodonga campus, both in central Albury and when we moved to Thurgoona," said Professor Coyle. Professor Coyle will present medals to the nine staff in recognition of outstanding and loyal services to the CSU community at 10.30am on Monday 27 October in the Board Room, Gordon Beavan building, CSU in Albury-Wodonga.

An animatronic baby dinosaur, exploding balloons and the natural treasures of Woomargama National Park will be on show for the Simply Greater Future Fair and Markets to be hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) from 9.30am Sunday 12 October at the Ten Mile Creek Gardens and Shire Hall. Winnie, the life-like animatronic 2.25 metre-tall baby dinosaur from the Australian Museum, will join the exploding hydrogen balloons of Questacon's comical Spectacular Science and a free guided bus tour of nearby Woomargama National Park, as well as 30 stalls displaying and selling regional produce, crafts and organic food. Kids can enjoy face-painting and yummy cakes from Woomargama Pre-school, grab a Fire and Rescue NSW show bag, or explore CSU's science and sustainability exhibition, and chat about university studies with CSU staff. The fair is part of the 'Our Place' project commenced by Holbrook residents in 2013 to address local issues around living sustainably and protecting the natural environment.

Students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga are being urged to make use of their odd socks for a good cause. Organised by Health Promotion Service in the Office for Students, the Sock It To Suicide campaign aims to raise awareness of suicide.  As part of the campaign, odd socks will be hung on a line near the Gums Cafe from Wednesday 24 September. Health Promotion Officer Ms Coleen Pearce said suicide is the leading cause of deaths amongst 15 to 24 year olds. "It's frightening to think that suicide accounts for one in four deaths among young people," she said." The idea of the 'Sock it to Suicide' line is to raise awareness of these high statistics, increase discussion on this topic and possibly help combat this high suicide rate."

Students from Bathurst and Wagga Wagga will represent Charles Sturt University (CSU) at the Australian University Games for the first time in the sport of sailing. Second year paramedic student Ms Kaela Sparre, originally from Sydney, is leading a team of six women in competition over three days starting Tuesday 30 September at the Georges River Sailing Club in Sydney. "I have sailed all my life and I wanted to go to the Uni Games and other university competitions and get my friends and other Charles Sturt University students involved in the sport," Ms Sparre said. "We are really not sure what to expect because half of our team, the skippers, are experienced while the other half, the crews, are beginners. Personally, I just want to beat my sister's team from the University of Technology, Sydney." The competition will see students sail in small dinghies from the Pacer class provided by the Georges River Sailing Club.

It will be a chance to reminisce and see how study has changed over the past 50 years when former students from the Wagga Agricultural College visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 19 September. Head of CSU's School of Agriculture and Wine Sciences Professor John Mawson will welcome the class of 1964 before they tour the School, University farm and Winery Cellar Door. Reunion co-organiser Mr Neil Sowerby said most of the 32 graduates went on to successful careers in agriculture. "The broad foundation of practical and theory provided balance for those farming or serving the agricultural industry. Apart from the Diploma we also learnt how to communicate and get along with others, while the beer consumption was a side benefit," he said. "We're looking forward to catching up as many have retained strong friendships developed at the College during those formative years." The Wagga Agricultural College was formed in 1948 at what is now CSU in Wagga Wagga and is one of the preceding institutions to the University.

Students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga, Orange, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga will put comfort aside in sleep outs during September to raise money for the not-for-profit organisation, Street Swags. Supported by CSU's Office for Students, the students are supporting Swagtember and the purchase of street swags for people unable to find accommodation. Students are being encouraged to register with Swagtember and get sponsored to spend a night away from home. A range of activities have been organised to keep students entertained throughout the night including music, karaoke, movies, a pillow fight tournament and a barbecue breakfast. The sleep outs will be held from 7.30 pm to 7.30 am starting: - Thursday 18 September, HeBrews Cafe, Munster Street, CSU in Port Macquarie. An outdoor cinema will show three movies during the sleep out.- Thursday 18 September, The Hub, building 20, CSU in Wagga Wagga.- Tuesday 23 September, Learning Teaching Hub, building 754 at CSU in Albury-Wodonga. A free soup dinner will be provided by the Uniting Church group from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm followed by a guest speaker from Youth Emergency Services to talk about local youth homeless. A Zumba class will be held on Wednesday 24 September from 6.30 am followed by a barbecue breakfast.-  Wednesday 24 September, Templers Mill Bar at CSU in Orange.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) social researcher Dr Shelby Gull Laird has joined the local climate advocacy group Wodonga & Albury Toward Climate Health (WATCH) as a project partner. Dr Laird is a lecturer in the School of Environmental Sciences and a member of CSU's Institute for Land, Water and Society. She researches the interac­tions of people with their environment through education, community engagement and even personal connections with nature. Last month WATCH received funding from the Our Place programto enhance its database for climate impacts. Dr Laird will also now provide academic guidance to the community group. "WATCH intends to increase its pool of database informants, incorporate data on adaption measures and post its database findings online," Dr Laird said. "It's hoped this will improve the quality and quantity of impacts data, increase the numbers of locals feeling engaged with climate change; and improve resilience to climate change as adaption success stories get shared." Dr Laird said she was very pleased to be coming on board in an advisory role and that she's looking forward to partnering with the community climate change group.