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School students get a taste of uni life

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga is giving local primary and high school students a taste of university life at two events in coming weeks. Year 6 students from Wodonga West Primary School and Lavington East Public School will experience the pomp and ceremony of a mock graduation on Thursday 27 August. Then on Thursday 3 September, Year 9 students from Finley, Murray and James Fallon High Schools will spend the day in experiential workshops in the laboratory. Program coordinator, Ms Ilena Young said, "Research shows us that students make up their minds very early about what their future will hold. These events are designed to enthuse students and encourage aspiration for higher education." Students will take part in fun and interactive workshops at the CSU Schools of Community Health, Environmental Sciences and Education, tour the campus and spend time with undergraduate students who can give them an insight into university life. The events are run as part of the Future Moves program, a federally funded initiative, run through CSU and aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

Indigenous high school students to explore uni life at CSU

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will host a camp for 40 Year 9 and 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from the Clontarf Foundation on Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 August. The male students from Clontarf Foundation academies based at Coonamble High School, Mt Austin High School, and Dubbo College (Delroy and South campuses) will attend this fun and interactive camp at CSU in Bathurst to gain first-hand experience of university life. Over three days the students will engage in four hands-on Faculty-based activities, explore the campus, engage with local Elders, and join a 'speed expo' with academic staff to find out about various disciplines and courses. Program coordinator Mr Ben Morris said, "This camp is part of Charles Sturt University's Future Moves program, which was developed to encourage aspiration for higher education among students in rural and remote NSW and Victoria. By introducing young people to the world of university study, students are encouraged through a positive experience to become more engaged in school studies and more confident in considering tertiary study as a realistic option." Future Moves is a federally-funded initiative, run through Charles Sturt University and aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

Governor-General to visit CSU in Dubbo

His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove, will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo from 10.45am to 11.45am on Friday 28 August. Their Excellencies will be welcomed by CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann, then join University staff and students for morning tea prior to a tour of the campus. Professor Vann said, "On behalf of all staff and students I look forward to welcoming the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove to Charles Sturt University in Dubbo. We are delighted that they have time in their busy schedule to visit the campus, meet students and staff, and learn about our Indigenous Education Strategy as well as the courses and graduates that are making a significant difference to the communities of regional Australia." The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove are interested in meeting and talking with students, academics, researchers and administrative staff at CSU in Dubbo, and have indicated a particular interest in the School of Indigenous Australian Studies. Staff are invited and welcome to attend morning tea with their Excellencies at 11.05am on Friday 28 August. Please RSVP for catering purposes to mbritnell@csu.edu.au by Thursday 20 August.

Psychology and medical students meet to collaborate

Clinical psychology students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will meet with visiting medical students on Monday 24 August to explore how the two disciplines can best work together. Students studying the Master of Clinical Psychology online with the CSU School of Psychology will be at the University in Bathurst for a three-day residential school from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 August. Part of their program will see them meet with fourth-year medical students from the University of Western Sydney (UWS) for the day to explore how their respective disciplines can work together to enhance patient care and outcomes. Associate Professor Michael Kiernan, a lecturer in the CSU Master of Clinical Psychology, said, "Charles Sturt University is committed to developing and ingraining an inter-disciplinary model of care in all our clinical students. In this way, individual patients will receive an enhanced level of care and treatment, and the health system will deliver services more efficiently and effectively. It is increasingly important that all health service providers work together to provide the best care possible for patients." The students will meet at the CSU Wellness Centre and Ochre Health Medical Centre at CSU in Bathurst from 11am to 4.30pm Monday 24 August.

Variety show Stick It To Me at CSU this week

An original variety show will have a three-night season at the Ponton Theatre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 August. The 40-minute production Stick It To Me is devised and performed by second-year theatre/media students in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst. This original show with a cast of 11 and a crew of 13 explores themes of time, evolution, and the basic human need for connection. At the heart of Stick It To Me, two bantering characters will guide the audience through an evening of dynamic physical theatre, stick play, live music, comedy, dance, acrobatics, and more. CSU theatre/media lecturer and supervising director Mr Dan Aubin said, "The cast and crew worked through an experimental devising process so that all the elements of Stick It To Me collide in a strange but familiar environment to evoke the need to think, play and explore. We hope theatregoers will see things they have not seen before, consider their place in the world, but above all, enjoy a great night of entertainment and laughter." Stick It To Me will be performed at 7pm Thursday 20, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August at the Ponton Theatre at CSU in Bathurst. Tickets are $10 for students/concession or $12 for non-students. Tickets are available at the door, or via Try Booking Online http://www.trybooking.com/IPFL or by contacting Ms Caitlin Bennett in Ticketing on 0424 631 753. More information can be found on the Stick It To Me production website.

Bathurst welcomes future engineers for taste of uni life

Students from across the state will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Monday 24 August and be the first to experience life as a CSU Engineering student.

Over 20 students will participate in workshops, meet CSU students and academics, and tour the campus and accommodation. They'll also get to see the progress being made on the new state-of-the-art engineering building and hear from Engineers Without Borders how they can use their engineering degree to make a difference.

MyDay events are held across CSU to help future students gather the information and experiences they need to find the best course for them.

Applications to study at CSU in 2016 are now open. More information is available at www.csu.edu.au/apply

CSU students gain equine scholarship

Networking with some of the world's top equine veterinarians has inspired Charles Sturt University (CSU) veterinary science students Mr Thomas O'Brien (pictured) and Mr Brodie Argue. The two students from CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in Wagga Wagga were awarded a young member scholarship by the Equine Veterinary Association to attend the Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures held recently in the Hunter Valley. Mr O'Brien said it was an honour to be one of only four young people, and the only two students, awarded the scholarship. "The conference brings some of the most highly regarded equine veterinarians in Australia and from overseas," he said.  "The networking opportunity was invaluable, I have a great passion for horses and the experience has reaffirmed my desire to become an equine surgeon."  Mr O'Brien, originally from Melbourne, will travel to the University of Edinburgh and the University of Kentucky later this year for his final year work placements. Mr Argue is also planning international study with further training in equine sport medicine and surgery in the United States later next year.

Primary students Check It Out at CSU in Bathurst

Approximately 60 Year-6 students from West Bathurst Public School and Portland Central School will participate in a very special graduation at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Wednesday 19 August. The students will don mortar boards as part of a Check It Out day on campus participating in a selection of workshops to give them first-hand experience of university life. Program coordinator Mr Ben Morris said, "This fun and interactive day aims to provide students with a university experience. The students will participate in two hands-on Faculty-based activities, tour the campus, explore the library, enjoy lunch in the student dining room, and end the day with a mock graduation. This will include a special presentation by a Future Moves leader or a Charles Surt University academic." Check It Out days are part of CSU's Future Moves program which was developed to encourage aspiration for higher education among students in rural and remote NSW and Victoria. By introducing young people to the world of university study, students are encouraged through a positive experience to become more engaged in school studies and more confident in considering tertiary study as a realistic option. Future Moves is a federally-funded initiative, run through Charles Sturt University and aligned with the Australian BluePrint for Career Development.

To obtain more information, talk to a Future Moves program coordinator in your area:

Albury – Ms Ilena Young 0427 283 101

Bathurst/Orange/Dubbo – Mr Ben Morris 0427 714 807

Port Macquarie – Ms Sandra Wallace 0407 205 452

Wagga Wagga – Ms Ravnita Sharma 0428 413 107

Illicit drugs in Café Scientifique

The science of illicit drugs is the topic of the first Café Scientifique in Port Macquarie for 2015.

Four Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics will present a range of perspectives on the topic, The Science of Illicit Drugs – A Humanistic Story and Debate from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday 19 August at Port Macquarie's Town Green Inn.

The free event is being organised by the Mid North Coast Regional Science Hub during National Science Week.

Hub member and CSU scientist Dr Nigel Urwin said, "We urge members of the public to come along and enjoy a coffee or a drink while listening to short and exciting presentations about how the illicit drugs work and the problems they cause."

Café Scientifique is free and refreshments will be available to purchase from the venue.

The CSU academics on the panel include senior lecturer in genetics Dr Urwin, lecturer in paramedics Ms Tania Johnston, senior lecturer in the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security Dr Greg Linsdell and senior lecturer in medical imaging Mr Johnathan Hewis.

Mid North Coast Regional Science Hub is supported by CSU, NSW Trade and Investment and Inspiring Australia. See more about the Hub on Facebook here. 

The Hub will host additional events in November 2015 with Science on the Road in Kempsey and Taree.

Paramedics ball raises over $15 000 for charity

Paramedic students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) raised over $15 000 to purchase defibrillators for community groups at their annual Red and Blue Ball on Friday 7 August.

The students who are studying the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) at CSU in Port Macquarie organised the inaugural Blue and Red Ball which was attended by 420 guests including the Hon. Leslie Williams, MLA for Port Macquarie and Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and Assistant Minister for Education.

Professor Heather Cavanagh, Head of Campus at CSU in Port Macquarie, said, "The ball was an opportunity to bring together the community, students and staff from Charles Sturt University and acknowledge the contribution of local emergency services, all in the name of a good cause.

"Organised and executed by three of our paramedic students, Ms Jess Genders, Mr Dane Rickman and Mr Daniel Steinbeck, the ball successfully raised over $15 000 which will go towards buying six defibrillators for local community groups in the Port Macquarie and Hastings region.

"One of the defibrillators was presented on the night to the Rotary Lodge, an accommodation service for patients undertaking cancer treatment and other care at Port Macquarie Base Hospital."

The Red and Blue Ball was held at Panthers Port Macquarie this year, and will hopefully become an annual fundraising event.