Archive

Treading the boards for literary pub crawl

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
The 'Write Around the Murray' Writers Festival that begins in Albury this week will include a large presence from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in one of the Festival’s most popular community events. Ms Jenni Munday from the University’s Murray School of Education based in Albury is coordinating two Literary Pub Crawls through Albury, while several colleagues will present local and Australian writing to an audience moving between indoor and outdoor locations around central Albury.  Mr John Rafferty, a lecturer in science education, will present some wry and witty poetry to perform at the ‘pub location’ in this year’s event. Finalists in the Rotary Poetry competition will also present their works. "It's wonderful to have young poets reading their own work - it gives their work more of an airing", says local writer, Dotty Simmons, whose writing is also featured in two stages of the walk. The first of the two 'pub crawls' will start at 6pm on Thursday 6 August, leaving from the Albury Library Museum in Kiewa St. The second ‘crawl’ will leave from the Zed Bar in Dean Street at 6pm on Sunday 9 August. Prospective audience members are asked to arrive early.

Research into impact of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are seeking participants aged 50 years or more for a study of the long-term side-effects of hormonal therapy on musculoskeletal structure and function in prostate cancer patients. Dr Jack Cannon, lecturer and researcher at the CSU School of Human Movement Studies at Bathurst, says, “Men who have received hormonal therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer are at significant long-term risk of osteoporosis, frailty, falling, and reduced functional ability. The results of this study of muscle strength, body composition, and bone mineral density will help to determine the long-term side-effects of hormonal therapy on musculoskeletal structure and function in such patients. This will assist in the development of interventions aimed to minimise long-term musculoskeletal risks and reduce secondary health conditions in these individuals. Testing will require only a single visit to our laboratory for about an hour, and anyone from the wider Central West region who has been treated for prostate cancer is invited to participate,” Dr Cannon said.

Drawing makes writing easier

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Kindergarten students and teachers in Albury are hoping to revitalise the old saying  ‘a picture can lead to a thousand words’ as part of a literacy research project being run by Charles Sturt University (CSU). Literacy researcher Dr Noella Mackenzie is working with ten teachers and 60 students to explore how children’s love of drawing can be used to support them as they learn to write. “Starting school provides many challenges for children, including learning to write. Writing is the most artificial and difficult of all language activities, because it demands skills from children which differ markedly from talking, reading and listening,” says Dr Mackenzie. “Teachers can make this process easier for children if they use a child’s existing strengths. Children’s drawings allow them to explore their ideas in drawing and talking before moving into the abstract process of writing.” Dr Mackenzie will explore these ideas with local teachers on Thursday 6 August, from 1.30 to 3pm at the Murray School of Education, CSU Thurgoona site. She recently presented early results of her research at a national literacy conference in Hobart, Tasmania.

Science@CSU

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003

• the opening of dental clinics on five CSU campuses;
• a recently completed, environmentally sustainable building that has already won building awards and been awarded six green stars as a world class example of building sustainability;
• new courses and international opportunities for CSU students;
• the new $44 million state-of-the-art ‘science precinct’; and
• current science research at CSU that will ultimately contribute to results which significantly improve industries, communities and the environment.

Presentations, which will be open to the public, will be held between 4pm and 5pm, followed by refreshments.

CSU students get hands-on with mock crime scenes

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003

Distance education science and policing students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will get hands-on experience with crime scenes this week as part of residential schools held on campus. Four crime scene scenarios have been established for students to build their skills in crime scene management, including the identification and preservation of evidence.  Former police Detective Senior Sergeant turned CSU academic, Mr Pieter Strik, has created the four mock crime scenes. “Students have the chance to develop skills including sketching the scene, preserving evidence from factors like weather and people accessing the area, and working in teams,” Mr Strik said.

Natural environment on show at Thurgoona

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
To help celebrate the rejuvenating natural environment found on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Thurgoona site, Dr John Rafferty, lecturer at the Murray School of Education, will conduct tours of the campus to highlight its environmentally sensitive buildings, water management and campus wetlands, as well as its native fauna and flora. “The tours are part of Biodiversity Month, which aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity across Australia and the world,” Dr Rafferty said. Single tours starting at 10am on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September will leave from the Thurgoona Learning Commons. A bird display from the collection of Dr David Watson, Associate Professor from the School of Environmental Sciences, will also be held in the Learning Commons. Tour bookings can be made at the loans desk at the Thurgoona Learning Commons, or call (02) 6051 9812.

Federal Minister to attend Indigenous mental health student conference

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, will officially open a conference of Indigenous mental health students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga on Friday 18 September. Twenty-one students of the University’s Djirruwang Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Program will travel from across Australia to attend the conference entitled Professional Issues in Aboriginal Mental Health. During the two-day conference, the students will deliver 10-minute presentations as part of their Bachelor of Health Sciences (Mental Health) degree. The Djirruwang program educates Indigenous mental health workers for mainstream mental health, community mental health services, Aboriginal organisations and Aboriginal community controlled health services. “We are delighted the Minister responsible for Indigenous health will be able to see first-hand the quality of our students training to be mental health workers for their communities,” said Director of the Djirruwang program at CSU, Mr Wayne Rigby.

Theology conference highlights ecumenism

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Canberra held a special one-day conference on ecumenism, Handing on the Vision, on Wednesday 9 September. A special ceremony at the conference inaugurated the Centre for Ecumenical Studies (CES) within the ACC&C. Reverend Professor James Haire, AM, the Executive Director of the ACC&C, welcomed this inauguration, describing the mission of ‘handing on the ecumenical vision’ as “part of the ACC&C’s core business”. In his presentation at the conference, Professor Haire spoke of giving reality to the ecumenical vision in the way that theological issues are addressed, saying, “It is absolutely important to focus on the central aspects of faith that all Christians hold in common”. A record of the inauguration was signed by Professor Haire, Reverend Professor Robert Gribben, the Chair of the Board of the CES, and the Reverend Tara Curlewis, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

Dubbo ceremony to start new CSU dental clinic

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
A sod-turning ceremony at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Dubbo on Wednesday 16 September will mark the start of the building program for the new University Dental and Oral Health Clinic which is part of the CSU School of Dentistry and Health Sciences. The Foundation Head of the School, Professor Ward Massey, said, “This is any exciting day for the University in Dubbo and when completed the clinic will enhance the practical opportunities for our students and dental care for the community of Dubbo and the surrounding region.” The dental clinic is a joint initiative of CSU, the Greater Western Area Health Service, and the University of Sydney, and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2010 at a cost in excess of $8 million. The first sod of soil will be turned by the Hon. Mr Mark Butler, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, representing the Prime Minister. Also attending are members of State Parliament, dignitaries from CSU and its partner institutions, the Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, councillors from surrounding areas, Wiradjuri elders, and staff and students.

Redkite scholarship for CSU journalism graduate

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
A former Charles Sturt University (CSU) journalism student has been awarded a $500 scholarship by leading childhood cancer support charity Redkite to assist her to advance her career. Ms Angela Lavoipierre, who studied journalism  at the CSU School of Communication at Bathurst, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia just before she began her Higher School Certificate. Despite receiving chemotherapy and treatment throughout school and university, Ms Lavoipierre has worked hard and excelled at her studies. “I’m surprised and delighted to receive this scholarship and intend to use it to undertake freelance work,” Ms Lavoipierre said. “I plan to focus my stories on social justice issues in remote parts of New South Wales as they are often missed because they are too far out of the way for media attention.” Ms Lavoipierre is currently working as a journalist at ABC Radio News in Sydney.