Archive

Student films show paths to sustainable living

The Border region is hosting film premieres with a difference as students from three local high schools examine how university education can help Australian communities be more sustainable.

The five short films have been produced from photos and video footage taken by students as part of the Learning Communities project run by Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Institute for Land, Water and Society.

In a 'trip of a lifetime' nearly 300 Year 10 and 11 students from Murray and James Fallon High Schools and Wodonga Senior Secondary College travelled for five days to speak with representatives from CSU in Albury-Wodonga and Melbourne and Deakin universities.

They also met environmental champions from Sea Shepherd, Environmental Justice Australia, Voices of the Valley and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and learnt how they could help address sustainability problems, regardless of the career paths they chose.

CSU lecturer Dr Marie Sheahan said, "The students saw first-hand how university courses and their careers can have lasting influences on the sustainability of the community, particularly in ensuring all citizens have access to caring professionals who can help them."

The next film by Year 10 students from Murray High school will be launched with their parents and friends at CSU in Albury-Wodonga from 6pm on Tuesday 27 October. 

All films will be shown free to the public at the Flourish Festival being held at CSU in Albury-Wodonga off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona on Saturday 14 November, starting at 2pm.

Graphic design students’ skills exhibited

An exhibition of works by 11 final-year graphic design students is on display at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga until Friday 30 October. EXPORT is the 2015 graduate exhibition of multiple works by Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design/Photography) and Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) students in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Wagga Wagga. Lecturer in graphic design Dr Belinda Paulovich said EXPORT is a diverse showcase of multi-disciplinary graphic design practice that captures the collective creativity of the graduating students. "This exhibition represents the culmination of several years of hard work and illustrates the talent, skills and expertise of the group as they transition to professional practice," Dr Paulovich said. "I congratulate the students on the perseverance, dedication and professionalism they have demonstrated in making this exhibition happen, and I wish them all the very best in their future endeavours." The exhibition was formally opened on Friday 16 October by Dr Neill Overton, CSU senior lecturer in art history and visual culture and course director for the Master of Creative Practice. The opening night was well attended by staff, students, their families and friends. The EXPORT exhibition is at the HR Gallop Gallery (building 21), Darnell-Smith Drive (off car park 2) at CSU in Wagga Wagga until Friday 30 October.

CSU donations to be presented to Daffodil Cottage

Funds raised by students and staff who recently competed in the Amazing Race at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be presented to representatives of Daffodil Cottage on Friday 23 October. CSU Head of Campus in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid said, "The community of Charles Sturt University in Bathurst was galvanised by the offer of a matching donation for the first $2 500 from an anonymous donor. This brings the overall total of this fundraising event to $8 921.20. Setting a challenge for students and staff like this was an inspired move, and although he wishes to remain anonymous, our sincere thanks and admiration go to this donor, whose connections with the University and Daffodil Cottage have been of enormous benefit to both." Professor Reid will present a cheque for $6 421.20 to representatives of the Daffodil Cottage Building Expansion Project Fund Raising Committee Mr Doug Kinlyside and Mr Robert Rawlings, and Ms Desiree Burgess, Daffodil Cottage Unit Manager. Ms Monica White and Ms Alesha Elbourne from the top fund-raising team the Creative Comm-rades will also be present to represent staff and students, along with Dr Jae Major, Associate Professor Jane Mitchell and Dr Matt Winslade, members of the event-winning team the Terrific Teachers. The presentation is at 10am Friday 23 October at Rafters (building 1413) at CSU in Bathurst.

Seminar examines the importance of humility in 21st century

A seminar will be held in Canberra on Friday 23 October to examine the relevance and importance of humility to modern life.

CSU MOOC launch at Denison College

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will officially launch its newest massive open online course (MOOC) at Denison College at Kelso in Bathurst on Thursday 29 October. CSU Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle said the What's Uni Like? MOOC aims to build students' pre-tertiary achievement levels and explore aspects of the transition to university. "The What's Uni Like? course is accessible, self-paced, and addresses the key areas of academic writing and reading, student expectations, digital literacy, and online learning skills," Professor Coyle said. Project Lead, Mr Josu Abrego-Sanz, said, "The MOOC is being promoted to Australian universities, other higher education providers, and to high schools and TAFEs across the nation with the aim that  it will be used as a resource to broaden participation in Australia's higher education sector." The project was funded by the federal government through its Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) to help increase participation in tertiary education by students from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. What's Uni Like? is informed by current research and best practice, and in particular by the national Office for Learning and Teaching-funded project on the Effective Teaching and Support of Students from Low SES Backgrounds. It involves collaborative work with partners in the HEPPP-funded CSU Future Moves program, including government and independent schools and the Department of Education and Communities. What's Uni Like? was also introduced at the recent Students Transitions Achievement Retention and Success (STARS) conference in Melbourne.

CSU researchers explore regional issues at SEGRA 2015

Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers will contribute data and their expertise to discussions at the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) conference in Bathurst this week. CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann will welcome more than 200 participants from across Australia to the conference which runs from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 October. CSU Professor of Economics, Kishor Sharma from the Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS), will facilitate discussions in Spotlight Session One, 'Challenges, Issues and Strategies for Developing Regional Industry' at 1.30pm Tuesday 20 October. This session will cover pressing regional issues and challenges including skill shortages, migration, and local industrial performance. Professor Sharma will also present the topic 'Internal Migration Across Regional Australia: the impact of industrial change'. In the same session, 'The Role and Linkages in Employment Growth Across Australia's Regions' will be presented by ILWS's Dr Tom Murphy, adjunct senior lecturer at CSU, and Professor Mark Morrison, Sub-Dean (Research) and Professor in Economics. Professor Edward Oczkowski, CSU Sub-Dean (Research Students) and Professor in Applied Economics and Quantitative Methods (ILWS), will then speak on 'Emerging Trends in Skills Shortages in Regional New South Wales: the case of the Riverina region'. The Director of ILWS, Professor Max Finlayson, will facilitate and lead discussions from three perspectives about 'Regional Production and Conservation Landscapes' in Spotlight Session Six at 1.30pm Wednesday 21 October. Other CSU presentations can be found in the full SEGRA Conference program here.

CSU students launch fundraising calendar

An annual fundraising calendar by senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be released this week to help a friend in need.  

The RA Nude, But Not Too Rude Calendar 2016 goes on sale from 4pm on Friday 16 October at The Hub at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The Residential Advisors (RA) featured each month will be on hand to sign the calendars.

The money raised from the sale of the 2016 calendar will be donated to help a former CSU student and Residential Advisor Ms Abbie McNaught.

Calendar organiser and Head Resident of CSU's Hampden Village Ms Rhiannon Dally said, "The sale of the 2016 calender has special meaning for the Residence Life team this year.

"Abbie was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer earlier this year and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. We are hoping the money we raise from the calendar will assist her with the costs associated with her treatment."

The printing costs of the 2016 calendar have been generously met by Stax Security in Bathurst.

The RA Rude, But Not Too Rude Calendar is an annual fundraising initiative of Residence Life at CSU. It features CSU students who are employed by Residence Life to offer support and care for fellow students living in the CSU Residences.

Read more about Residence Life on Facebook here. https://www.facebook.com/ResLifeCSU/timeline?ref=page_internal

National wine show experience for PR students

Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) public relations students are revelling in an opportunity to promote Bathurst's major annual national wine show this week. Ms Gabriella Power and Ms Tiarne Pattison are final-year Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) students in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst. They have taken the reins to promote the 17^th annual 2015 National Cool Climate Wine Show (Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 October), a premier event that celebrates Australian wine from grapes grown above 600 metres. Ms Power and Ms Pattinson are completing their degree's final-year capstone subject which requires them to work closely with a client on a project which draws on all their learning and experience at University. "The significant practical experience of running a national event has been very exciting and rewarding for us and our skill set has expanded enormously," Ms Power said. "More than 820 cool climate wines were entered in the 2015 National Cool Climate Wine Show. The wines are judged during this week, with the Trophy medal wines awarded on Friday 16 October as a prelude to the public tasting that night for those over 18 years. "The best part about working on this event is that we were given so much control and creativity over the public relations of the project. It's very rare that students are given the freedom to make big decisions about a national event, and we feel very lucky to be in this position. It's been great working as a team with Tiarne to get through the challenges together, with support and guidance the whole way from our lecturer Donald Alexander." Ms Power and Ms Pattison are keen to continue work in public relations once they graduate. "Our hands-on industry experience with the 2015 National Cool Climate Wine Show will be a competitive advantage when we enter the workforce," Ms Power said.

Staff giving to CSU students

A new workplace giving initiative for Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff to financially support students through scholarships will come to fruition at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 14 October.

Staff are presenting inaugural CSUgive Student, Research and Work placement Scholarships across the University during October.  

Ms Caroline Love will receive a CSUgive Research Scholarship at 12.30pm on Wednesday 14 October at The Hub, building 20, at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Among the staff to attend the event will be Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Dillon.

Since the program started this year, staff have raised close to $20 000 to assist students with their undergraduate degrees, higher degree research or the cost of work placements.

Manager of Alumni and Donor Relations at CSU Ms Gael Evans-Barr, said "I'm proud to say that 100 per cent of these funds have gone directly to assist Charles Sturt University students.

"CSUgive is a program designed to provide Charles Sturt University staff with another way to change lives through higher education."

Ms Love's PhD is entitled Making Decisions on Water Trading: What are Irrigators' views? The Scholarship will go towards the cost of extensive travel in regional NSW to conduct interviews with farmers and other stakeholders.

CSUgive scholarships are administered through the CSU Foundation Trust, a registered charity.

Education is an enduring gift, and CSU Foundation Trust simply wouldn't be able to introduce scholarships like these without the support of valued donors. To find out more, or to make your own fortnightly donations please visit www.csu.edu.au/give

CSU physiotherapy students cycle against brain cancer

Inspired by a friend, a physiotherapy student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will cycle from Rutherglen in Victoria to Sydney to raise money for research into brain cancer. Bachelor of Physiotherapy student Ms Sheila Smith resolved to take on the challenge after a close friend from Sydney was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015.Ms Smith hadn't ridden a road bike until this year but she has enlisted the support of fellow physiotherapy student and avid cyclist Ms Alexandra Sutherland. The women are due to leave their hometown of Rutherglen during the second week of December. Ms Smith said, "The shared love I have with my friend for puns and elephants was the inspiration for the ride's name and logo, Riding for a Wheelie Good Cause".Funds raised during the ride go to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and the Nelune Foundation. Donations can be made online here. "We know the ride will be tough, both physically and mentally," said Ms Smith. "However, battling brain cancer is tougher."Supported by the student organisation, Multidisciplinary Albury Rural Health Society or MARHS, the women will hold a cake stall on Tuesday 13 October at CSU in Albury-Wodonga and the money raised will go directly to the two charities. Any individual or business able to support the CSU students with sponsorship is urged to contact Ms Smith via email. To keep up to date with the journey, follow the CSU students on Instagram @ridingforawheeliegoodcause or search Riding for a Wheelie Good Cause on Facebook.