In a world saturated with advertising and media using sex to sell, a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has warned of the long-term risks for children. Dr Emma Rush, Associate Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences says companies are increasingly marketing their products to children to capture the children’s allegiance to their brands. However she says some products, like padded bras for eight-year-old girls, are completely inappropriate.”Big companies make products to make money, but the clothing, magazines, toys and games are becoming increasingly sexualised,” said Dr Rush. The CSU academic is a contributing author to a new book, Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls. The book deals with the sexualisation and objectification of girls and women in the media, popular culture and society. “Experts are seeing psychological damage in younger and younger children and a rise in behaviours such as low self-esteem, depression, self-harms and eating disorders. The children should be out in the world having fun. They should be constructing themselves, rather than squashing into a narrow stereotype,” said Dr Rush. “As adults we have responsibilities for children’s health and development. It is wrong to think of premature sexualisation as simply a matter of taste; the fact is that it has risks for children.”

A new book by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic explores the need for and path towards successful community development in both developed and developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. Community Development in Asia and the Pacific by Associate Professor Manohar Pawar, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Wagga Wagga, delves into the challenges and impediments for successful community development programs. "Both developed and developing countries have been re-emphasising the importance of community development but really need to address issues such as entrenched community power structures, unstable political systems and authoritarian leadership styles which play a big part in obstructing community development," Associate Professor Pawar said. ”The four key principles needed to put development into practice include respect for human rights, self reliance, self determination and participation,” he said. "This book examines the latest community trends in the Asia Pacific region. It makes a case for adopting values- and principles-based practice; for altering current leadership styles and developing new leaders; for retaining diversity and learning from it; for practicing what is preached; and for having a local level comprehensive social development perspective.”

A new facility to further research into the experiences that people have with new computer technologies will be unveiled at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 26 August. The new laboratory in the University library aims to allow researchers to ensure that the needs and practices of computer users are reflected in future software applications and information technologies. The equipment in the new Digital Library Usability Laboratory includes three high-end desktop PCs running on Windows XP, equipped with microphones, headset and Webcam; Morae (version 3) software which allows software and website usability testing for market research; two rooms to accommodate researcher and research participants; and a one-way mirror between rooms to facilitate observation.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been honoured in a national award for its successful traineeship programs. CSU was named as a runner up in the 2009 Minister’s Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices.  The University was among the top four employers of apprentices in the Western NSW category. Two CSU traineeship programs, known as Front Line Management for existing employees and Indigenous Traineeships, were submitted to the national awards. “The success of these two programs has led to the retention of trainees, a good completion rate for accredited training, expanded career opportunities for existing staff and improved employment opportunities at the University for Indigenous trainees,” said Ms Sarah McCormick , Manager of Diversity and Equity at CSU. Ms McCormick and CSU Training Manager Ms Jenny King attended the award ceremony hosted by the Federal Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations the Hon. Julia Gillard, MP, at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday 18 August.

A final year agricultural science student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga has secured a prestigious award from the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST). Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) student Mr Jaron Bennett, from Lalbert near Swan Hill in Victoria, was named the most outstanding student in the study of agricultural systems. The award was presented to Mr Bennett by AIAST ACT and Southern NSW President Mr Hugh Dove during the inaugural Agricultural and Animal Industry Careers Fair held at CSU at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 12 August. Students from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences attended the Fair seeking information about careers in agribusiness, agronomy, animal production, horticulture, viticulture and wildlife conservation. One of the exhibitors attending the inaugural Careers Fair was Swift Australia Human Resources Manager, Ms Ainslie Cavanagh who noted, “I was really impressed with this initiative and CSU staff and students have shown a great way forward for the industry”. During the Fair, the National Party’s Whip in the NSW Legislative Council, The Hon. Rick Colless MLC launched the new Bachelor of Agricultural Science.  

 

The special screening in Bathurst on Wednesday 2 September of the acclaimed documentary, The Burning Season could be the start of a new series of film screenings for local audiences. Associate Professor Jane Mills at the School of Communication at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst, says this one-off screening is the initiative of former co-director of the Sydney Asia-Pacific Film Festival and new Bathurst resident Ms Juanita Kwok, supported by the School of Communication. “We’re hoping this screening will bring Bathurst’s screen buffs out and that this could be the start of a series of screenings if there is audience support,” Professor Mill said. “Juanita took the decision to hire the cinema and rent The Burning Season, and we’re personally splitting the costs and hope people will come along. We’re both committed to screen culture and like to see all that cinemas around the world have to offer beyond the mainstream. I’m teaching two film subjects at CSU this semester and it’s a constant frustration that my students can’t see the films that are available to those living in the capital cities. Ms Kwok chose The Burning Season because it’s had a fantastic reaction among audiences at film festivals around the world.”

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication at Bathurst and School of Visual and Performing Arts at Wagga Wagga will hold their fifth annual information day - iDay - at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney on Saturday 29 August. Head of the School of Communication at Bathurst, Associate Professor Rod McCulloch, said iDay at the Powerhouse Museum has proven to be an invaluable venue for students wanting first-hand information about courses, as well as about studying and living at CSU. “This event has also been directly responsible for many students deciding on a CSU course. Unlike other university open days, iDay allows students access to detailed discussions with course coordinators and students from the Schools of Communication and Visual and Performing Arts, rather than having to wade through hundreds of courses on display at the one time. Feedback from parents, too, is always positive. They like the openness and accessibility of our Schools and academics, and they love to hear from our students. iDay is a great way to start building the relationship between prospective students and our Schools,” Professor McCulloch said.

Forty-two TAFE NSW students from Bathurst, Lithgow and Orange who are currently completing the Tertiary Preparation Course (TPC) and eight students completing the Diploma of Communication and Media toured Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Tuesday 18 August. The TAFE students met staff and current students and inspected the University’s many facilities. Ms Fran Dwyer, Prospective Student Adviser at CSU at Bathurst said the day provided insight and motivation for students who are interested in furthering their education. “We know that TPC students who enrol at university generally do very well, so it is important that prospective students understand the excellent range of facilities and support services that Charles Sturt University offers,” said Ms Dwyer. Anyone interested in further information about studying at CSU should phone the CSU Contact Centre on 1800 334 733, send an email or log on to the CSU website here.

To help fund their final-year end of semester productions known as the Sprung Festival, third-year theatre/media students from the School of Communication at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst held a fundraising event on Tuesday 18 August. “We decided to raise extra funds because theatre productions aren’t cheap and we have big visions to realise and we want to present the best quality productions we can,” said event organisers, Ms Erica Heller-Wagner and Ms Amy Morcom. Fundraising activities on the Bathurst Campus library lawn included food stalls, second-hand clothes stalls, and busking performances. This year’s Sprung Festival in October features 12 productions that range from more conventional dramatic plays, to short films and a ‘physical theatre’ production.

The beauty of the camellias at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga will be on display for all during the 2009 Camellia Show. Organised by Friends of the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, the event will be held on Saturday 5 September and Sunday 6 September. One of the major exhibitors at the annual show has been CSU. The success of the University’s blooms at the event has been due to the work of Mr Bill Mitchell, who retired from the University’s Division of Facilities Management in 2008. For more than 10 years he collected the camellias from near the library at CSU at Wagga Wagga and prepared them for exhibition. Mr Mitchell will continue to exhibit on behalf of CSU this year. “The camellias were planted in abundance in the library precinct and despite the drought, they have done well to produce beautiful blooms each year,” said Mr Mitchell.