Charles Sturt University's (CSU's) Institute for Land Water and Society (ILWS) Director Professor Max Finlayson has presented a lecture as part of the Uniting Church's Murray-Darling Forum, Toward a new and risky path for the common good on Sunday 31 August in Albury. Professor Finlayson, a wetland ecologist, has extensive experience in Australia and overseas in water pollution, mining and agricultural impacts, invasive species, climate change, and human wellbeing and wetlands. The forum at Saint David's Uniting Church heard about the land and water issues in the Basin, including those covering water quality and quantity. Professor Finlayson said, "They also asked about the efficacy of environmental flows, water usage and the growing of various crops, the importance of irrigation for food security and whether all current farming choices were appropriate and how to deal with climate variability. The impact of change on the livelihoods and wellbeing of people across the Basin was considered with a strong emphasis on the need for pastoral and support for those most adversely affected. The discussions were held in an apolitical manner and showed the value of a dialogue and exchange of information about the choices we face and the consequences for the environment and people, and how these are interconnected."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will host two very special graduations on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August when approximately 100 local primary school students attend the University as part of two Check It Out Days.Year-6 students from Albury West, Hume, and Glenroy Public Schools, and Wodonga West Primary School will spend the day on campus participating in a selection of workshops to give them first-hand experience of university life. During these fun and interactive days, students will participate in two hands-on activities - 'How do YOU see the world' and 'Anatomy and how to damage it' - before ending the day by donning ceremonial mortar boards in a mock graduation which will include a special presentation by a CSU academic. Students will also tour the campus and facilities, and eat lunch in the student canteen.Program coordinator Ms Ilena Young, said, "Check It Out days are part of CSU's Future Moves program which was developed to encourage aspiration for higher education among students in rural and remote NSW and Victoria. By introducing young people to the world of university study, students are encouraged through a positive experience to become more engaged in school studies and more confident in considering tertiary study as a realistic option."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is working with Albury Environmental Lands and the Albury-Wodonga community to plant trees and shrubs along Six Mile Creek at Thurgoona to help revegetate and manage wildlife habitat corridors on Sunday 17 August. Volunteers from CSU and the local community will plant trees from 10am to 1pm along the creek corridor which is off St Johns Road, Thurgoona. CSU ecologist Associate Professor David Watson will provide participants with a guided tour through earlier conservation work undertaken in 2013 which includes nest boxes for birds and possums. The whole family is encouraged to attend, as there will be face painting for children, giveaways, and a free barbecue lunch. For details on the event contact CSU Green.

Tradies will be encouraged to put their feet up at Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Community Engagement and Wellness (CEW) Clinic during August for Tradies National Health Month. CSU podiatrist Mr Brent Smith said, "A recent study found nearly one in five Australians suffer from foot pain, with a disproportionate number of men aged 20-34 years, and young people suffering from untreated foot pain. This pain could be caused by ingrown toenails, sweaty and smelly feet, tinea infections, and overuse injuries affecting the legs and feet such as shin splints. Tradies who are required to wear steel toe-capped boots for work are more likely to suffer problems with their toenails because of their footwear."  Mr Smith said podiatrists were also surprised at the perception that podiatry was only for older people, "so we would like to see more younger people, particularly tradies for whom feet are so important for their work". To book an appointment on any work day in August, contact Lyn at the CEW on (02) 6051 9299.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students can learn about travel scholarships and overseas study opportunities at the second biannual CSU Global Showcase in Albury on Thursday 7 August. Dr Shevahn Telfser, manager of CSU Global, said, "The CSU Global Showcase celebrates the many varied experiences that students have when studying at the University. It will be held on several campuses, including online, over the coming weeks, and is a wonderful event that lets many students showcase the opportunities they have had to study overseas and the benefits they gained. It will be a great opportunity to meet returned exchange students, past short-term program participants, incoming exchange students from partner universities, and CSU Global staff to share stories and details about the various programs on offer." CSU Global administers scholarships worth $3 000 to $5 000 to study in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Korea. The CSU Global Showcase will be at CSU in Albury-Wodonga between 12 and 2pm on 7 August at 'The G', off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

Charles Sturt University and GOTAFE will host two evening workshops in August to provide parents, guardians, grandparents and carers with up-to-date information about educational pathways beyond high school. The free workshops are offered to parents through the Careers and Pathways network partnership between Charles Sturt University, Northeast Tracks LLEN, and high schools in Wangaratta, Benalla and surrounding areas. CSU Schools Outreach Coordinator Ms Anne Geddis said the program helps carers support their children effectively "when they're making those important career transition decisions for secondary school and beyond". The first workshop on Wednesday 6 August between 6 and 8 pm will include discussion, practical exercises, printed handbook and opportunities for carers to work with schools and other parents on such varied topics as Finding a place to start, learning to use the Job Guide and connecting skills. The second workshop at the same time on Wednesday 13 August will investigate training and further education options such as apprenticeships, traineeships, TAFE and university, the employment market, and interview and job seeking skills. Both workshops will be held at the GOTAFE - CSU Rural Skills Centre, Tone Road, Wangaratta. For details, contact Ms Anne Geddis on 0417 629 294.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Goulburn Ovens TAFE (GOTAFE) will host a professional development day for school teachers across North East Victoria to show how agriculture and horticulture topics can be incorporated into their programs. Speakers from the Victorian Farmers Federation, Murray Dairy, Rural skills Australia, CSU and GOTAFE will show how teachers can build contacts with rural industries, find teaching resources and build partnerships with local farmer groups such as the Alpine Valley Dairy Pathways Project and TAFEs to help incorporate agriculture and horculture into the school curriculum. School Outreach Coordinator with CSU's Wangaratta Study Centre, Ms Anne Geddis, said the workshops provided an opportunity for teachers with similar objectives but different experiences to build a supportting network for themselves. The day long workshop will run from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm on Tuesday 5 August at the GOTAFE-CSU Rural Industries Campus, 218 Tone Rd, Wangaratta.

An international early childcare researcher will discuss the German experience of the commercialisation of the early childcare sector during a forum at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga at the School of Education on Wednesday 23 July. Professor Johanna Mierendorff, from Martin Luther University in Halle, Germany, investigated the entry of commercial interests in 2005 into the care of children aged 0 to 6 years, where traditionally the sector was dominated by small not-for-profit organisations. With the broader public concerned with possible detrimental effects on access to and quality of commercial services, Professor Mierendorff interviewed parents and commercial centre managers to find out how they coped with these concerns. The results suggest that the traditional German ideas of equality of opportunities in early childhood are challenged by the change in the provision of child care. In addition, the changed child care sector has provided new ways to understand parenthood and social equality and inequality in the country.

Are you concerned about diabetes and your heart's health? Are you over 40 years old and in good or poor health? As part of National Diabetes Week that started on 13 July, Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers will offer free screening tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and heart health to people with or without diabetes. "People from southern NSW and North East Victoria can attend the screening clinic at CSU in Albury-Wodonga to help us better understand the prevalence of diabetes in regional Australia, which we already know is higher than for all Australia," said senior diabetes researcher Dr Herbert Jelinek from the School of Community Health.  To book an appointment for a diabetes screening test or for more information, contact research assistant Ms Bev DeJong on (02) 6051 9210. People unable to attend the clinic at Thurgoona can also discuss this with Ms DeJong for alternative locations.