Breast cancer survivors are being sought in the Albury-Wodonga area to participate in Charles Sturt University (CSU) research aimed at improving quality of life particularly for women in rural and regional Australia. The study, led by Dr Janelle Wheat from the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, aims to establish the effectiveness of natural medicine products in treating the condition lymphoedema, which occurs when the lymphatic system does not work properly after breast cancer treatment.  The research participants will be assessed every three months at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, where they will answer a questionnaire and undergo a bioimpedance analysis in a 15 minute appointment. CSU PhD student, Ms Marta Siekierska is assisting in the project. “There are few treatment options for lymphoedema so we are looking for a safe, natural alternative that is accessible by all. Herbal medicines might offer women some relief from lymphoedema regardless of where they live. We are looking for volunteers who have completed breast cancer treatment - surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy - within the last 20 years, whether they have developed lymphoedema or not,” said Dr Wheat. For further information, contact Ms Siekierska on (03) 5908 3026, mobile 0420 420 824 or send an email. Read more about the research on CSU News here.

Over 400 final year high school students will be at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Monday 18 June to prepare for their final English examination for the 2012 Higher School Certificate (HSC). The students from public and private schools right across southern NSW, from Moama to Culcairn, will take part in presentations, workshops and seminars on this year’s HSC examination. They will gather for the HSC English Study Day to focus on specific examination texts and topics, tips and hints from HSC markers, and reviewing their revision and study plans for their HSC exams in October. Senior English teachers, HSC English markers, specialists in senior English texts and topics, and CSU lecturers will be presenting to students on the day. Event coordinator and CSU education lecturer Mr Paul Grover said, “This is an outstanding opportunity for regional HSC English students to discover how to best prepare for their major examinations from subject and exam experts”.

An exhibition showcasing Australian artists who have used an art technique known as monotype in their work over the past century is on display at the Albury Art Gallery. The MONOuno exhibition is made up of pieces from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Art Collection. CSU Art Curator Thomas A. Middlemost will be at the Gallery from 11am on Tuesday 5 June and said the exhibition covers a wide range of subjects and styles, including landscape prints, figurative works, and even animals. “MONOuno also highlights Charles Sturt University’s links with the community of Albury. The medium appeals to a wide range of artists in all media. Painters in MONOuno who are attracted to the medium include Rupert Bunny, Jacqueline Hick, Sidney Nolan, Charles Blackman, John Coburn, and many more.” The University’s Art Collection is 20 years old and holds over 80 monotypes, one of the largest collections of this type of print in Australia.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is continuing to make tertiary education more available in regional Australia when it opens its latest Regional University Centre in collaboration with Goulburn Ovens TAFE (GOTAFE) in 2013. Head of CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Ms Sue Moloney, will formally announce the expansion today, Thursday 3 May, during the release of the Rural City of Wangaratta's South Wangaratta Urban Renewal Strategy at 10am during a Special Council meeting at the Council Chamber, Wangaratta Government Centre. “This initiative recognises the complementary and combined strengths of Charles Sturt University and GOTAFE, particularly in agriculture. Initially, students undertaking a GOTAFE diploma in dairy management can continue their studies with credits from their GOTAFE course to gain a CSU degree in agricultural business management. We are also looking to offer further opportunities for CSU courses through the Wangaratta centre, including postgraduate agriculture studies as well as nursing,” Ms Moloney said. The CSU Regional University Centre at Wangaratta will be established by CSU in collaboration with GOTAFE with the support of a Commonwealth Structural Adjustment Fund grant of over $7m.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students about to teach their first middle shool classes will receive a good dose of enthusiasm from a Border teacher who has been around the world with her profession. Ms Rosemary Michalowski, who has a number of professional qualitifications in traditional and alternative teaching methods as well as German language, will address third year middle school students to provide them with tips on preparing for their first practice teaching periods in schools around NSW and Victoria. “In our school, the ‘Middle Years’ integrated curriculum engages students by making connections that are relevant to their lives while expanding their horizons and providing for diverse learning needs,” said Ms Michalowski, who leads Year 8 as part of the Middle Years program at Wodonga Catholic College. Coordinator of the preservice teaching program with CSU’s School ofEducation, Ms Liisa Uusimaki, said as an enthusiastic educator, Ms Michalowski is an inspiration to the CSU students. “Ms Michalowski is passionate and dedicated in her support of both young people and the teaching profession," Ms Uusimaki said. Ms Michalowski will address the students in two sessions on Tuesday 13 March at CSU in Albury-Wodonga.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students affected by recent flooding are being reminded to look after their emotional wellbeing.  The University is providing counselling to students both in person and via the telephone. Student Counsellor, Ms Katie Murrell-Orgill said she is expecting a demand for services once people are able to return to flood affected homes.  “It’s normal to experience a range of emotions in these kinds of situations and it can be really helpful to seek support to help process what has occurred,” she said. “With much of southern and central west NSW and northern Victoria affected by floods, the service is available to all students including those studying by distance education.”  Students can make an appointment for counselling by calling Student Central on 1800 275 278 while after hours support is available by phoning Lifeline on 13 11 14. Staff and members of their immediate families can access CSU’s Employee Assistance Program, which offers free short-term professional counselling services. Information is also available on the CSU 2012 flood website here.

Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Faculty of Business will celebrate academic excellence among its current undergraduate and postgraduate students today, Tuesday 28 February at a ceremony in the Faculty building on the Albury-Wodonga Campus. Fourteen prizes will be awarded from industry to CSU students enrolled in such degrees as accounting, business studies, information technology and marketing, including four prizes going to third year student Mr Christopher Lord. Fourteen Dean’s Awards are also due to be presented for outstanding academic performance. A representative from CPA Australia will be in Albury for the awards, which will be hosted and presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor Lesley White.

Higher School Certificate (HSC) students in the Riverina are fine tuning their chemistry skills at Charles Sturt University (CSU) this week. The annual HSC Chemistry Days will see 200 students make use of the specialised equipment in the CSU laboratories over four days. Senior lecturer in chemistry at CSU’s School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Dr Paul Prenzler, said the event is an opportunity for students to undertake experiments they wouldn’t normally be able to complete at their own schools. “By having the students come to Charles Sturt University, we hope to inspire the next generation of chemists, by showing that chemistry is fun and has applications in everyday life,” Dr Penzler said. The program runs from Monday 13 to Thursday 16 February and is an initiative of the University’s Chemistry Group and the Eastern Riverina Science Teachers Association. Read more about the Chemistry Group at CSU here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) comes alive on Monday 20 February when the annual Orientation Week commences on the University’s Thurgoona site. “It’s a mix of the serious and the fun for students new to tertiary education,” said Head of CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Ms Sue Moloney. “We have organised a five-day program that eases new students into university life, mixing official welcomes and compulsory enrolment days with free barbeques, social nights, learning skills, health awareness sessions, and even a CSU version of ‘The Amazing Race’.” Around 500 new students are due to commence their studies during the week in undergraduate degrees varying from business, environmental and health sciences to information technology, education, and sports sciences. They will be joined by postgraduate research students from around Australia and as far as Africa and Asia. Ms Moloney will officially welcome all new students on Tuesday morning, 21 February, in the CD Blake Lecture Theatre. Around 1 100 continuing students are do to return to the Albury-Wodonga Campus on Monday 28 February for the start of the 2012 academic year.