Archive

Organisers expect about 165 participants at the annual TechNet 2011 National Conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst from Wednesday 30 November to Friday 2 December. Mr Jim Watt, laboratory manager in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Bathurst, said, “The event conference will attract participants from tertiary institutions all over Australia and beyond. The theme of the conference is ‘Balancing Change’, which reflects the challenges faced by all technical staff in the constantly evolving university sector. It is an opportunity for technicians to share knowledge, liaise with distant colleagues, and inspect the many trade displays and some of the latest technology.” Keynote speaker is Ms Libby Hall, Manager of the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, who has over 20 years experience as a wildlife specialist. Workshops and sessions include topics such as: collaboration; the technical spirit; approaches to energy efficiency projects at universities; balancing change - a technician’s role; asset management; the National Life Sciences Hub at CSU; use of open source and freeware in universities; and remote laboratory for interactive learning.

From laboratory testing to sloshing around in rice paddies and working in a winery, a student camp with a difference is being hosted by the Primary Industries Centre for Science Education (PICSE) from Monday 28 November. The experience aims to give high school students an insight into science career paths. The 15 students from years 11 and 12 from the Wagga Wagga region will attend the week-long camp based at Charles Sturt University (CSU). They’ll see the cutting edge research being carried out at the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga before travelling to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area to visit a farm, feedlot, winery and food processor. The tour will also take in the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Narrandera Fisheries Centre. Students will critique their experiences early in 2012 at the PICSE formal reporting back session.

Five days of intense academic discussion about infant and toddler education and care starts at Charles Sturt Univeristy (CSU) in Bathurst on Monday 21 November. Professor Jennifer Sumsion from the School of Teacher Education at CSU in Bathurst said, “This important five-day Symposium on Infant-Toddler Education and Care: Exploring Diverse Perspectives on Theory, Research, Practice and Policy will see academics from Charles Sturt University examine a range of issues with international researchers and authors from the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Finland, and the United States. In essence, we will explore the current knowledge and research about how infants and toddlers conceive themselves and their worlds as they grow, and what are the ideal circumstances and environment to support and promote healthy growth.” The symposium will promote proposals for collaboration on conference papers, a book, and a special scholarly journal issue. On Friday 25 November there is also a session from 11am to 1.30pm open to interested local members of the profession and the public.

Sustainability in all its forms – personal, professional, environmental and financial – is the focus of this year’s Building Bridges regional conference to be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 November. One keynote speaker, Ms Tracey Young from Melbourne, believes early childhood education can play an important role in promoting environmental sustainability in the community. Ms Young has a background in early education and care and a lifelong interest in environmental and animal welfare. Head of CSU’s Murray School of Education, Associate Professor Louise Hard said the annual conference aims to strengthen partnerships between early childhood education professionals from both sides of the NSW –Victorian border. She said organising the event was a joint effort between CSU, Wodonga TAFE, Albury and Wodonga City Councils and Gateway Community Health. Around 100 participants are due to attend from cities, towns and organisations on both sides of the border.

The role science plays in helping agriculture meet the global challenge of feeding almost nine billion people by 2050 will be the key topic of discussion among school teachers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga next week. The Primary Industries Centre for Science Education (PICSE) will host 10 teachers from the Riverina, Victoria and South Australia for two days of professional development from Monday 21 November. Centre Education Officer, Ms Emma Wordsworth said the aim is to showcase some of the science careers within food and fibre production. “We also want to give teachers some practical ideas about how to incorporate primary industries into their science lessons,” she said. Teachers will hear from researchers, participate in practical sessions and sample CSU cheese and wine. PICSE encourages school students to study science and go on to careers in primary industries.

A group that donated money towards upgrading equipment for the FalconCam Project at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will see the results of their generosity on Thursday 17 November. The 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter Association was immediately drawn to the peregrine falcons at CSU, explains project coordinator Mr Scott Banks. “After seeing early media reports on the project, the Association contacted us advising that its emblem comprises a peregrine falcon holding a lightning bolt. It is fitting that they are now so closely connected to the project.  When the first chick was born three days after a direct lightning strike on the water tower, it was named Migii meaning ‘lightning’ in the Wiradjuri language.” Six members of the 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter Association will visit CSU in Orange to view the water tower where the birds live and to see how their contribution has enabled people from all over the world to watch live streaming of the peregrine falcons.

A nationwide quest to locate relatives of Australian miners who travelled to the Klondike goldfields in remote north-west Canada at the end of the 1800s will see a Charles Sturt University (CSU) history researcher deliver a free public lecture in Bright, Victoria, on Saturday 26 November. Dr Rob McLachlan, an adjunct senior lecturer in history at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Bathurst, said “North-east Victoria provided a fascinating contingent of miners for the Klondike gold rush. Some were highly experienced miners, like Charlie Lloyd, while others, such as Alfred Abraham and his three mates, were young lads off on the great adventure of a lifetime. These are just a few of the men from this area who went to the Klondike.  My talk will tell the story of the Klondike through their experiences and, where I can, in their own words. It is a story of both great achievement and heart breaking tragedy. I am hoping the talk will reveal some relatives of Australian Klondikers, who may be able to assist my research. I have now identified several hundred Australians who made it to the Klondike, but I am sure there are more to be found.”

The Booranga Writers’ Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will launch its annual anthology of poetry and short-stories, fourW in the city on Saturday 19 November.  This is the 22nd edition and makes the anthology one of the longest running journals of its kind. Editor Mr David Gilbey said fourW twenty-two links regional voices to more established and international writers. “New works by recent writers-in-residence at Booranga Writers’ Centre Ms Ali Cobby Eckermann and Mr Jim Haynes are included alongside regional-based writers Mr Derek Motion, Ms Jane Downing and Ms Louise D’Arcy.”  FourW twenty-two will be launched by local newspaper columnist Mr Graham Gorrell in the library, Civic Centre, Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga from 2.30pm  The winner of the annual $250 Booranga Prize for poetry and prose will be announced at the launch.

December hails the arrival of the graduation season at Charles Sturt University (CSU). In response to the needs of students, CSU is holding its graduations in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Canberra, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga from Saturday 10 December to Saturday 17 December. The change from a graduation season in the first half of the year will allow students at CSU to attend their ceremony and receive their awards much closer to the completion of their course. Graduations will be held at CSU in Albury-Wodonga on Friday 16 December and Saturday 17 December; in Bathurst on Thursday 15, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December; in Canberra on Saturday 10 December; in Dubbo on Monday 12 December; in Orange on Tuesday 13 December; and in Wagga Wagga on Monday 12, Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 December. Read more here.

Local childcare providers and early childhood educators are invited to attend a free forum about infant and toddler education and care with Charles Sturt University (CSU) teaching staff and international researchers in Bathurst on Friday 25 November. Associate Professor Linda Harrison, lecturer and researcher at the School of Teacher Education  at CSU in Bathurst said, “This event concludes a five-day symposium at Charles Sturt University on infant and toddler education and care, and offers local practitioners a unique opportunity to meet and talk with international researchers and authors from the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Finland, and the United States. Each presenter will speak about current practices and policy challenges in early education and care in their own countries. The presentations by the international panel will be followed by a discussion with members of the audience to consider the current directions and challenges in Australian services for infants and toddlers.” The event is supported by the University’s Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE) and the Faculty of Education Professional Experience Office.