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Stars in the Morning Sky

Continuing the Charles Sturt University ( CSU ) tradition of bringing plays by renowned Russian playwrights to audiences of the NSW Riverina, Stars In The Morning Sky is the first University Theatre Ensemble production for 2007. Directed by Russian, Leonid Verzub, Stars in the Morning Sky, traces part of the lives of four feisty Russian prostitutes, banished from Moscow during the 1980 Olympics, who find themselves in a derelict asylum. In 1979 Verzub was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of Russia and Theatre Director of the Highest Category. He was invited to Wagga by former student Dr Ashley Wain who is now an acting lecturer with CSU ’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. Dr Wain says it’s a rare opportunity for the Wagga theatre community “to see a fantastic play brought to life by such a brilliant director”. Stars In The Morning Sky plays at the Riverina Playhouse from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 March, Thursdays to Saturdays, at 8pm, with a matinee performance on 31 March at 2pm. Tickets can be booked at the Civic Theatre Booking Office or are available at the door.

CSU helps fight cancer

Staff and students of Charles Sturt University (CSU) helped raise over $65 000 in the fight against cancer at Orange’s Relay for Life held last weekend. CSU’s 19 member team - the Wonder Walkers -  walked continuously for 18 hours to support cancer research through the Cancer Council event. Held at Endeavour Oval in Orange, the Wonder Walkers were encouraged by the thoughts of friends and family affected by cancer. “Our team walked, and ran, their hearts out for cancer research all through Saturday night and the atmosphere at the oval was tremendous,” said CSU team coordinator, Geoff Watson. The event raised a significant amount of money and gave hope to sufferers of the disease. “This is the message from Relay for Life, and it was all around me in the faces of the people who were walking beside me shoulder to shoulder,” Mr Watson said. “It is about life and about the hope that one day we will live in a world that has an answer to cancer.”

Food for thought

Do you consider your health when making decisions about your diet? Do your children or other family members influence how you shop and prepare meals? Women aged eighteen and over are invited to take part in an international research study looking at these issues. Barbara Parker, a PhD student at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus, is researching women's perceptions of 'healthy' and 'risky' eating in the Riverina region of NSW and in Thunder Bay in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Women can contribute to this research by participating in a one hour interview with Ms Parker, who is available on (02) 6933 2563. The study aims to explore how women living in rural and regional communities understand, experience and make decisions about their food choices.

How to choose a wine to enjoy

Imagine looking at a typical wall of wines in a shop. There might be 15 varieties, one hundred different brands and infinite taste variations. For the wine connoisseur this may be appealing, but it could be enough to deter the average wine consumer from purchasing any wine at all. Charles Sturt University (CSU) sensory scientist Anthony Saliba from the School of Food and Wine Science will give the first public lecture for 2007 about logical approaches to selecting an enjoyable wine at the Temora Town Hall on Wednesday 21 March. Dr Saliba works with wine consumers to determine their tastes and then takes those preferences to winemakers so they can create wines that truly appeal to buyers, thus encouraging the wine industry to become more customer focused.

Internationalising the CSU degree

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is encouraging students to ‘internationalise’ their CSU degrees through overseas scholarships and student exchange programs. Nuala Grundy from the CSU Office of International Relations says international study gives students insights into other cultures and societies, helps them develop career skills, enhances their employment opportunities and helps them become more maturity, independent and confident. Global study opportunities and study grants will be on show to CSU and local high school students at the CSU International Fair to be held on Wednesday 21 March at the Rivcoll Union, Wagga Wagga Campus. Representatives from the North Dakota State University and the University of North Carolina will outline study opportunities in the US. Representatives from the Embassy of France and the US Educational Advising Centre will also be present.

Give ‘em the old Razzle Dazzle

Why rural electorates like their Independents

New South Wales has eight incumbent Independent members of parliament – will that change after the State election on March 24? Charles Sturt University (CSU) politics lecturer Dr Troy Whitford predicts that the number of Independents has plateaued. “But they will always be a main feature of rural elections. Why? Because Independents aim at appealing to a rural and regional mindset called 'countrymindedness'", Dr Whitford explains. “It tends to emphasis the importance of rural Australia and that people in the country have a greater moral compass and a better work ethic than the city, and that politics is always city-centric. ‘Countrymindedness’ suggests rural people are the backbone to the economy, and they should be given special consideration. Old-fashioned ‘countrymindedness’ is apparent in the rhetoric of the Independents representing rural seats.” Dr Whitford predicts Labor will be returned, and says, “I will be very surprised if we see an increase in Independents. I think the Coalition will pick up a couple of seats, but Labor will hang on."

Youth Leaders to World Conference

CSU Bathurst gives blood

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has this week welcomed the Australian Red Cross mobile Blood Donor service onto its Bathurst Campus to encourage staff, students and community members to give blood. Professor Greg Walker, Head of CSU’s Bathurst Campus, said, “We know that, according to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, the gap between the number of blood donors and the number of Australians who need blood will widen unless Australians step up their efforts as blood donors. CSU is proud to support this vital service and encourage our staff, students and community members to give blood regularly. We’ve supported Red Cross blood donations on the Bathurst Campus since the 1970s.” Potential donors should contact the service directly on 13 14 95 to make an appointment, and allow at least 45 minutes for the donation process.

Romantics who found horror