Researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are seeking male smokers aged 18 to 50 years in the NSW central west to participate in two smoking and exercise studies. The first study consists of four sessions involving smoking or exercise conditions; the second study involves a 14-week exercise training and smoking reduction program. Ms Tegan Kastelein, a PhD student from the School of Human Movement Studies CSU in Bathurst said, “The purpose of the research is firstly to examine the cerebro-vascular and inflammatory responses to both cigarette smoking and exercise, and secondly, to examine the effects of a 14-week exercise training and smoking reduction program on disease risk in a smoker population. It is anticipated that the research findings will enhance our current understanding of the effects of tobacco smoke, the role of exercise in reducing disease risk, and provide the community with alternative methods for smoking reduction and/or cessation.” To find out more about the research and exercise program, please contact Ms Kastelein on (02) 6338 6101 or send an email to: tkastelein@csu.edu.au.

Staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will mark National Ride to Work Day tomorrow Wednesday 16 October with a leisurely ride to work and study. CSU cyclists will assemble in QEII Square in central Albury for a relaxed social ride that will leave at 7.40am and arrive at the Gums Café on the University’s Albury-Wodonga campus at 8.30am for a free breakfast for riders. Most riders are aiming to improve their health and well-being as well as reduce the number of cars around the busy roads of Thurgoona, while also reducing their carbon footprints. “Riding to work or study is not for everyone in Albury-Wodonga, but it could be a lot more than it currently is, particularly as we have excellent paths to and facilities readily available in many workplaces, including Charles Sturt University,” said Thurgoona event coordinator and regular bicycle commuter, Mr Wes Ward.

Bring your fungal toes to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in the coming weeks to assess your condition and participate in a project investigating treatments for toe nails infected by fungus, or onychomycosis. Honours student Ms Cassie Bramston, in her third year of a podiatry degree in CSU’s School of Community Health, is observing the effectiveness of applying eucalyptus oil directly to infected toes as an alternative to oral medications and ointments currently used for fungal infections. “Participants will learn about treating their feet for this condition while also making the Albury-Wodonga community more aware of the debilitating effects of onychomycosis. Treating infected toes with eucalyptus oil is potentially much cheaper than the current medications, so if it is proven effective, it will become a much cheaper and more accessible alternative, particularly in more remote areas,” said Ms Bramston, who is  based in Albury. To take part in the research study, book an appointment at CSU’s CEW Clinic, Thurgoona, on (02) 6051 9299.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery will launch a new-look series of labels for its Charles Sturt and Reserve ranges at CSU in Bathurst on Tuesday 1 October. Marketing manager Mr Justin Byrne said the new labels reflected the University’s history and spirit of exploration. “The labels feature the rivers of regional NSW, the Macquarie, the Murray, the Murrumbidgee and the Darling,” he said. “It was the explorer Charles Sturt who first traced the Murray and the Murrumbidgee, and those journeys are also represented on the labels.” Mr Byrne said Charles Sturt University Winery had been making wine, and winemakers, for more than 35 years. “We own and operate two vineyards, growing warm climate varieties in Wagga Wagga and cool climate varieties in Orange, and also work with growers in other regions. We have two production facilities in Wagga Wagga; a commercial winery producing our three product ranges and an experimental winery producing our student wines.” CSU staff and local business people will attend the launch event and the new labels will be on shelves throughout NSW and Victoria in the coming months.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Council has welcomed the appointment of three new highly successful alumni to its ranks. Mrs Jennifer Hayes from Albury-Wodonga is a former senior executive of the Mars Corporation, including as a senior financial executive in Asia Pacific and Europe.  Ms Saranne Cooke from Bathurst joins the Council from the energy sector and recently led a team working on energy sector reform in NSW.  Ms Cooke is also a Director of the Western Medicare Local.  Mr Jamie Newman from Orange is a member of a number of boards and committees, and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service. He is a descendent of the Kalar tribe of the Wiradjuri nation.  The new appointees join current CSU alumni members Mr Angelos Frangopoulos (CEO of SkyNews Australia and Board Member of the Victor Chang Foundation) and Mr Peter Hayes (a Wine Industry Consultant who has held senior positions with the CRC for Irrigation Futures, CRC for Viticulture and the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation).  The Council also welcomed Mr Robert Fitzpatrick, an external independent appointee, who currently heads up the infrastructure, transport and logistics business with the National Centre of Excellence in ICT Australia and spent 7 years in global consulting for McKinsey in international business and technology. Under the leadership of Chancellor Mr Lawrence Willett, AO, the CSU Council has 15 members.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) dentistry student Ms Jessica Zachar has been recognised for her work raising awareness of rural health issues with a National Rural Health Leadership Award. Ms Zachar received the award from Future Health Leaders during the organisation’s Rural Health Leadership forum, held at CSU in Orange recently. Ms Zachar said she was delighted to receive the award. “I chose to study dentistry at Charles Sturt University because I am a strong supporter of the University’s motto ‘For the Public Good’,” she said. “It is my vision and goal to bridge the gap in oral health education and services for rural communities, not only locally but also nationally.” Ms Zachar was recognised for her involvement in the CSU Student Dental Association and its work, in partnership with the Carevan Foundation, to promote oral hygiene instruction to primary school children in regional and rural communities of New South Wales. “There is still a huge gap in the oral health education in our society,” she said. “Statistics show that by the age of six, 50 per cent of children will have tooth decay. This is quite alarming for a developed country and it is evident that the importance of oral health is undervalued and urgently needs to be addressed.” The first group of Bachelor of Dental Science students will graduate from CSU in Orange in December.  

How proximity to a 'green' roof or wall affects city residents is the subject of a research project being carried out in Sydney by Charles Sturt University (CSU) student, Ms Karina Maloney. The Honours student in the School of Environmental Sciences at CSU in Albury-Wodonga is investigating residents living in or near a building that has plants growing on roofs or outside walls, and the impact it has on residents’ perceptions of the local landscape and their health. "As more Australians move to the city, the role of nature in the urban environment has become increasingly important," Ms Maloney said. "To learn more about the role of nature in urban areas, we are conducting a survey of residents in one of the three groups: those that reside in a building with a ‘green’ roof or wall; those that can see the vegetation of a nearby green roof or wall; and those that live in a nearby building and cannot see green roof or wall vegetation. We are looking for relationships between the three groups of residents in their satisfaction in the surrounding landscape, their connection to nature and their physical health.”

Staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga are being urged to share their stationery with students in an initiative aimed at helping both the students and the environment. Driven by the student club, EcoActive, the call has gone out for staff to share unused stationery such as pens, books, folders, notepads, pencils or rulers. EcoActive Club’s Ms Gemma Hawkins – a Bachelor of Applied Science (Adventure EcoTourism) - said, “The second half of the academic year is underway so it is an ideal time for staff to do a spring clean and for students to make sure they have enough stationery items. The sharing of these resources will also help the University in its ongoing efforts to reduce waste.” Stationery can be collected by members of the EcoActive Club or donated directly to a Swap Stall to be held from 10am to 2pm at eat@20, building 20, CSU in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 24 July. The idea of a Swap Stall came from Adelaide University’s ReUSEathon event held in April. The EcoActive Student Club has the support of CSU Green – the coordinator of CSU’s sustainability initiatives. Read more about CSU Green on CSU News here. To donate any items contact the EcoActive Club by email.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will help Year 12 students across southern NSW and north East Victoria connect with tertiary education providers from the ACT, NSW, Queensland and Victoria at an information day in Albury Wodonga. CSU will coordinate around 39 tertiary providers at the Albury-Wodonga Tertiary Information Day, with sponsorship from Albury City Council, at the Albury Entertainment Centre on Wednesday 19 June. Hosted by the Albury-Wodonga Career’s Advisers Association, more than 1 200 students from local high schools and colleges are due to attend the event. CSU will also take part in associated tertiary education events run by the Victorian Tertiary Information Service in Shepparton, Benalla and Wangaratta on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 June. Local students will meet Victorian tertiary providers, including universities, TAFE colleges and private colleges, at Notre Dame College in Shepparton and at Benalla P-12 College and Wangaratta High School to provide more than 1 000 regional students with information on future study and career opportunities.