Archive

Squash courts ready for play

There's a bounce in the step of local squash players with the newly refurbished courts at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga set to re-open tonight. The Rowlinson Squash Courts has been undergoing a $120,000 makeover to improve playability and longevity of the facility for students and the wider Wagga Wagga community. Wagga Wagga Squash Club members will resume their 2015 season tonight after formalising an agreement with CSU for use of the facility four nights a week. The partnership will continue until the end of the year. CSU Division of Facilities Management Executive Director Mr Stephen Butt said it's a model being considered as part of a review of the University's sport and recreation facilities at all campuses.  "Charles Sturt University is looking to maximise the benefit of our sporting and recreation facilities for staff, students and our broader communities. A major part of the review will be to investigate if there are opportunities to assist community-based sporting clubs, or other community groups, through using, or leasing, our facilities."  The refurbished courts will also be used during the 2015 Eastern University Games, hosted by CSU from July 5 to July 9. External parties interested in using CSU sport and recreation facilities should contact Mr Lee Mottee lmottee@csu.edu.au in Wagga or Mr Nik Granger ngranger@csu.edu.au for the other CSU locations.

CSU experience for Indigenous girls

Aboriginal girls from high schools in Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga are getting a taste of university life during a three-day camp at Charles Sturt University (CSU) this week. Sixteen students from Years 7 to 10 are taking part in the second Aboriginal Career Links Camp at CSU in Albury-Wodonga from Tuesday 23 June to Thursday 25 June. Organised by the University's Future Moves program, the teenagers are exploring the university campus, attending workshops about Aboriginal women and culture, speech pathology and environmental sciences. A theatre workshop will be held from 10am to 2pm on Thursday 25 June to enable the students to explore the camp's theme, My Creative Spirit. The inaugural camp was held last year. Read more in CSU News here. Future Moves aims to encourage school students to think about their career options and how university might be part of their future.

MyDay for communication courses at CSU in Wagga Wagga

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will host a MyDay today, Tuesday 23 June, for senior high school students interested to learn about communication and creative industries courses. CSU prospective student adviser Mr Andrew Connell said the MyDay will showcase courses offered by the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. "The aim of MyDay is let students know about the great courses that can lead to a range of interesting and rewarding careers once they get a Bachelor's degree," Mr Connell said. "It is essential that regional students hear about the opportunities in creative and communication-related employment so they can make informed choices about their future. MyDay gives students a taste of living and learning on campus, and provides useful information about courses and study options. Students also receive information about opportunities and support available, and about how to achieve their goals." The university expects approximately 22 students to attend from 11 local and regional high schools: Kildare Catholic College, Kooringal High School, Macarthur Anglican School, Mackillop College, Mater Dei Catholic College, Murray High School, St Francis De Sales Regional College, St Mary Mackillop College, the Riverina Anglican College, West Wyalong High School, and Wodonga Senior Secondary College.

School students Check It Out at CSU in Orange

Approximately 120 primary school students from Parkes and Wellington will experience university life at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Wednesday 24 June. The Year 6 students from Parkes Christian School, Parkes East Public School, Parkes Public School, and Wellington Public School will participate in a selection of fun and interactive workshops as part of a 'Check It Out' day to give them an authentic first-hand university experience. CSU Future Moves program coordinator Mr Ben Morris said, "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 post-school option." Students will participate in two hands-on faculty-based activities, then explore the library, tour the campus and its facilities, and enjoy lunch in the student dining hall. They will end the day by donning mortar boards for a mock graduation which will include a special presentation by a Future Moves leader or CSU academic. The Check It Out days are part of CSU's Future Moves program, which has been developed to encourage aspiration for higher education among students in rural and remote NSW and Victoria. Future Moves is a federally-funded initiative, run through Charles Sturt University and aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

HSC English Study Day at CSU in Wagga Wagga

Approximately 600 high school students from across the Riverina will meet at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 19 June for the annual HSC English Study Day. Thirty-four lectures, workshops, and discussion panels will be presented on texts and topics being studied by Standard and Advanced English students for the 2015 HSC. Mr David Gilbey, adjunct senior lecturer in English in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the coordinator of the HSC English Study Day, said the day's focus will include poetry, prose, drama, film, techniques, writing skills, and exam tips. "There is always a buzz of excitement and fun to the HSC English Study Day," Mr Gilbey said. "The sessions will run from 9.30am to 2.20pm and will be presented mostly by teachers of English from regional high schools and academics from CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The students are grateful to get another perspective on the work they're concentrating on for the HSC, and for teachers it's a professional development occasion." Students and teachers will come from as far as Tumut, Yass, Yanco, Leeton, Junee, Culcairn, Gundagai and Temora. The HSC English Study Day is organised by the Wagga Wagga Branch of the English Teachers Association, in association with CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

HSC Science Study Day at CSU

More than 340 high school students and 20 science teachers will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Friday 19 June for a HSC Science Study Day. Information sessions will be held throughout the day from 9.30am to 2.45pm on preparing and performing in the HSC exams for biology, physics, chemistry and senior science. The event is being organised by the Albury and District Teachers Association to allow rural and remote science students to gain some of the insights that can improve their results in various HSC science courses. Academics from the University's School of Environmental Sciences will give the HSC students an overview of science programs offered by CSU. Senior lecturer in ecology Dr Paul Humphries will also talk to the students about his research on river-related palaeoecology and archaeology during the same session from 12.55pm until 1.25pm in the CD Blake Lecture Theatre, building 751, near car park 2, CSU in Thurgoona.

International students learn about workplace rights

International students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will have the opportunity to learn more about their rights in Australian workplaces during an information session on Friday 19 June. The event is being organised by the University's International Student Club. A number of speakers will address the session including a University Career Development Officer and the Skilled Migration Officer with Regional Development Australia Riverina. Representatives of NSW Police Force, the NSW Ombudsman and Toastmasters International will attend the event as well along with the Deputy Mayor of Wagga Wagga City Council Mr Dallas Tout. President of the University's International Student Club and PhD student Ms Saba Nabi said, "This is an opportunity for students to socialise at the same time as getting to know their rights and privileges while they are studying and working in Australia." The free information session will be held from 3pm to 5pm in room 278-281 in Learning Commons (building 13), near car park 7, Nathan Cobb Drive, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Cyclists needed for research

Cyclists are being recruited for Charles Sturt University (CSU) research examining how the brain works during exercise. PhD students Ms Nicole Vargas and Ms Caroline Robertson from CSU's School of Human Movement Studies in Bathurst are looking for cyclists aged between 18 and 60, who train for a minimum of two hours per week, to take part in two separate research trials. Ms Robertson's research aims to identify the part of the brain involved in helping a cyclist complete a time trial by regulating pace.  Ms Vargas is investigating how the muscles and organs communicate with the brain to let it know what is happening at any given time during exercise. "It is important to understand how changes in the blood during stress, like that experienced during exercise or disease, can send signals to, and alter the brain," said Ms Vargas. "Researching the different ways that our brain interprets these signals and how to manipulate them could potentially benefit athletes and people suffering disease." The research will take place from now until September and cyclists interested in participating can email Ms Vargas and Ms Robertson.

iDay at CSU in Port Macquarie

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie will host an information day – iDay – on Thursday 25 June for prospective students interested to find out more about available courses. CSU prospective student adviser Ms Bernadette Gammon said the iDay is a chance for anyone curious about studying at the University in Port Macquarie to talk to lecturers and students from all courses. "This will be an exciting day because the three information sessions – at 10am, 1pm, and 5pm – will include a presentation detailing the new campus for 2016 and details about four new courses to be offered for the first time in 2016," Ms Gammon said. "Representatives of our on-campus services and student bodies will be present, and as will representatives of the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) who will deliver a presentation in the middle of each session and answer questions." The new courses for 2016 include the Bachelor of Applied Science (Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism), the Bachelor of Communication (Advertising), the Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations). "The fourth course is the Diploma of General Studies which is a great course for those who didn't get an ATAR, or didn't achieve the ATAR they wanted," Ms Gammon said. "It is a pathway program that provides guaranteed entry to many Charles Sturt University bachelor degrees." Ms Gammon urged anyone interested to attend to complete registration for any of the session at https://www.csu.edu.au/contacts/iday-port-macquarie, or register on the day. "You can just attend on the day and register at the door," Ms Gammon said. "But registering prior to the event will save you time on the day, and help us know how many to expect." The iDay sessions at CSU, 27 Grant Street Port Macquarie, are on Thursday 25 June at 10am to 12pm, 1pm to 3pm, and 5pm to 7pm.

Accessible events smart business

The growing need for more accessible recreation and tourism events will be discussed at a public seminar at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst this week.

Manager of Event Access and Inclusion, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet Mr Paul Nunnari and Director Easy Access Australia Publishing Mr Bruce Cameron will present a three hour seminar on Wednesday 17 June from 9.30am, hosted by the CSU Faculty of Education.

The seminar is designed to raise awareness of a growing but largely unrecognised population base of less able people keen to participate in recreation, tourism, social activities, festivals, celebrations and community events. Participants will be introduced to key issues including the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, what constitutes inclusive and accessible recreation, tourism and events, and how to make accessibility a part of business.

The seminar is open to the general public, businesses and media. To RSVP email soteoffice@csu.edu.au