Charles Sturt University's (CSU) 2009 Reserve Sparkling has ended 2013 on a high by winning yet another award. It has won a Gold Medal in the Sparkling Wine Class at the Sydney International Wine Challenge in December. The wine won the Best Sparkling Trophy and Gold Medal at the 2013 Boutique Wine Awards in September and the Best Sparkling Trophy at the 2013 Cowra Wine Show in August. The 70 per cent Pinot Noir, 30 per cent Chardonnay blend is bottle fermented in the traditional method and made from fruit grown in the cool climate of Tumbarumba. Read more about the award-winning sparkling here. The 2009 Reserve Sparkling is available from the CSU Winery Cellar Doors at Orange and Wagga Wagga or online here.  You can reach the University's Cellar Doors here.

The Islamic Students Association of Riverina (ISAR) recently attended the inaugural Australasian Conference on Islam, co-hosted by CSU's Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy of Australia. Members of the Club were interested to attend the event to get an insight of the Australian culture in context of Islam. Club President Mr Syed Haris Omar said, "It was a great platform to meet many dignitaries and high profile speakers." Club Secretary Ms Saba Nabi said, "The Club participated in the Conference as an induction for next year's Orientation for the newly arrived international students at Charles Sturt University. When international students arrive in Australia, especially those from a Muslim country, they can be confused about myths associated with Australia. This Conference really helped us to develop our plan to assist the commencing students. Australia is a great multi-cultural country where you have equal right to live and express your opinions and some of the Conference speakers shared some fantastic personnel experiences of living in Australia." Read more about the Conference here.

Graduation season at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has arrived, with almost 3 500 graduates due to attend ceremonies in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Canberra, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga in late December.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students take the time to focus on personal wellness and wellbeing.Taking place at six CSU campus locations throughout the month of March and then in Port Macquarie in July, proudly sponsored by Employers Mutual Limited, 2016 CSU Wellness and Wellbeing Expos are designed to improve staff and students' attitudes towards their health and wellbeing.CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said, "We want to see our community be the best it can be. By investing in the health of our staff and students, we are investing in all our futures."The seven expos across New South Wales will be open to all Charles Sturt University staff and students and will give them to opportunity to learn more about everything from mental wellbeing to physical activity, caring for others and even time management," he said.Other topics to be covered in seminars and workshops at the expos include financial stability, stress management and prevention, alcohol and drug awareness, relationships and lifestyle balance. There will also be exhibitions and market stalls showcasing relevant health services from local community providers.Dates and times for each of the Wellness and Wellbeing Expos at CSU campuses are as follows:-       Goulburn: Thursday 3 March 2016 at the Cola/ Gymnasium from 9.00am to 2.30pm-       Albury-Wodonga: Tuesday 8 March 2016 at The Gums Cafe from 9.00am to 2.30pm-       Wagga Wagga: Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 March at Joyes Hall/Convention Centre from 9.00am to 3.30pm-       Dubbo: Monday 14 March 2016 at Explorers Cafe from 9.00am to 2.30pm-       Orange: Tuesday 15 March 2016 at Templers Mill Bar from 9.00am to 2.30pm-       Bathurst: Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 March 2016 at Rafters/ Foyer from 9.00am to 3.30pm-       Port Macquarie: Wednesday 20 July 2016 at the Courtyard/ Outdoor Room from 9.00am to 2.30pm

Applications for the Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2016 Community-University Partnerships (CUP) Community Grants program are sought from schools and not-for-profit early childhood centres across the University's regional footprint.Small grants (grants of generally between $500 and $1,000) offered through the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program are designed to assist schools and early childhood centres to acquire equipment or consumables that facilitate student learning and engagement with their schooling in rural and regional areas. Applications are invited from primary and secondary schools and not-for-profit early childhood centres and should demonstrate how the activity will support student engagement with learning and further education.Successful projects in 2015 included applications for the purchase of musical, art, science, technology, sporting and playground equipment, reading resources, gardening and recycling materials.Estimated funding for the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program is $25,000 across all CSU campus communities.   Applications close on Friday 17 June 2016.The guidelines to the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program and the link to the online application form can be found on the CSU website.