CSU hosts ‘Star Parties’ for ABC Stargazing world record attempt

* CSU to boost ABC stargazing world record attempt on Wednesday 23 May

* CSU will host ‘Star Parties’ in Port Macquarie, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga

* Aiming to beat previous 2015 world record of 7,960 stargazers in 37 locations

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host three ‘Star Parties’ as part of the ABC’s Stargazing Live Guinness World Record Attempt for ‘Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues’ on Wednesday evening 23 May.

CSU will host events in Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie, and Bathurst.

Head of Campus of CSU in Wagga Wagga Ms Miriam Dayhew said, “Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga is delighted to host a Star Party as part of the ABC’s Live National Guinness World Record Attempt, for the ‘Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues’.

“This will be a family-friendly fun event and is a great way to show off our facilities in Wagga Wagga. Everybody is welcome to come along and take part in this world record attempt.

“This event is open to the community and free to attend, but you must register.”

In Wagga Wagga: 7pm to 10pm at CSU the event will be hosted by the CSU Science Club in the Physics Lab courtyard, in front of the Radiography Lab (building 10). Participants are advised to dress warmly.

To register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/charles-sturt-university-science-club-star-party-tickets-45847937415

Teachers and students to learn coding at AgriTech Incubator in Wagga

* Computer coding training for Riverina teachers and female high school students

* AgriTech Incubator supports women and girls into tech and entrepreneurial activities

The AgriTech Incubator at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will host computer coding training for teachers and students from Riverina schools on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 May.

Following the success of the 2017 event, the 2018 sessions will again be delivered by Code Club Australia which teaches students how to program by showing them how to make computer games, animations and websites. Code Club also delivers training to equip teachers with the confidence and ability to teach their students to code.

Professor of Food Engineering in the CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, John Mawson (pictured), said, “The AgriTech Incubator teacher training day on Wednesday 16 May is fully booked, and over 90 students are expected to attend the coding event on Thursday17 May, to learn how to create a rainbow predictor using Python and Raspberry Pi programs.

“Students and teachers are travelling from towns across the Riverina − Cootamundra, Griffith, Junee, Leeton, Tullibigeal, Wagga Wagga, and Young − to attend the events.

“Offering specialised programs supporting women and girls into tech and entrepreneurial activities is just one of the goals of the AgriTech Incubator.

“The 2018 event follows the successful AgriTech Incubator at Charles Sturt University which delivered its first coding event specifically for Years 9 and 10 female high school students in the Wagga Wagga region in November 2017. Then, students created computer generated modern art, using Python, and the event was very well received by both students and teachers.

“The teachers at that event also noted they would greatly value a training day to improve their ability to support STEM related initiatives in their schools,” Professor Mawson said.

The coding events will be held at the AgriTech Incubator, building 6, CSU in Wagga Wagga (car park 11) from 10am Wednesday 16 (for teachers) and Thursday 17 May (for students).

The AgriTech Incubator is funded by the NSW Department of Industry with significant additional funding from CSU, with the coding events being in partnership with Code Club Australia (https://codeclubau.org/).

CSU students perform Louis Nowra’s celebrated play ‘Cosi’ in Bathurst

* Australian comedy play Cosi by Louis Nowra at the CSU Ponton Theatre in Bathurst from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 May

* Madness, burning cats, Mozart, and a play within a play

One of Australia’s popular comedy plays, Cosi by Louis Nowra, will be performed by third-year Charles Sturt University (CSU) theatre/media students at the Ponton Theatre in Bathurst from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 May.

Presented by CYCLE Productions and the School of Communication and Creative Industries, Cosi explores mental illness, politics, love and sex and freedom, begging the question – “What is normal?”.

The synopsis: It is 1971. Lewis (played by Gareth Thompson), a university graduate, is directing his first production at a mental institution in Melbourne. Faced with the challenge of bringing Mozart’s opera Cosi Fan Tutte to life, he must work with a group of extraordinary characters, under unexpected circumstances. Through all this, Lewis must navigate the boundaries between love, loyalty and trust to get this show on the road.

Cosi is directed by CSU lecturer Dr Kate Smith, with assistant directors third-year students Ms Sophie Fitzgerald and Ms Madeline Whittaker.

“Madness, burning cats, Mozart, and a play within a play. What could possibly go wrong? Everything, but no matter what, the show must go on!” Dr Smith said.

Cosi will be performed nightly at 7pm from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 May as well as a matinee performance at 1pm on Saturday, at the Ponton Theatre (building 1434), Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst.

Tickets can be purchased via Trybooking.com: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=377842&

High School Special = $8, Student/Concession = $10, Adults = $15

Please note: This show contains coarse language, sexual references and drug references. Parental guidance is recommended.

Medical scientists’ regional conference in Wagga Wagga

* Medical science conference in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 19 May

* Presentations by three CSU medical science academics

Three Charles Sturt University (CSU) medical science academics will present papers at the annual 2018 NSW South-West Division of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) conference in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 19 May

Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam (pictured left), senior lecturer in immunology in the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences in Wagga Wagga said, “Organisers expect up to 70 people to attend the AIMS conference from across the NSW South-West region, including from Griffith, Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Wagga Wagga, and smaller places in between.

“We also expect participants from the Sydney region, and this year we hope to have a few from Victoria since Wagga Wagga is relatively close to the border,” Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam said.

There will be 13 scientific presentations, with three by medical scientists from the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences:

* Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam, senior lecturer in immunology, ‘Antibiotic resistance in Camylobacter jejuni in NSW’

* Dr Philip Bwititi, senior lecturer in biochemistry, ‘Oxidative stress’

* Dr Wouter Kalle, lecturer in biomedical sciences, ‘DNA Diagnostic – from karyotype to NGS’

The conference organisers have offered discounted student registrations for the conference day to engage with students enrolled in the medical science degree at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

“Conferences like this are valuable to the region, as they provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within the pathology industry as our scientific program caters to the interests of scientists who are multi-disciplined,” Dr Vanniasinkam said.

“Being proficient in a number disciplines is often required of scientists working in the smaller regional and peripheral laboratories, while those working in the bigger central laboratories are more likely to specialise,” Dr Vanniasinkam concluded.

For more information see the conference flyer: https://www.aims.org.au/documents/item/982

Or visit the website: https://www.aims.org.au/events/event/nsw-south-west-div-conference-2018-f

The annual 2018 NSW South-West Division of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists conference will be held at the Rules Club, 188 Fernleigh Street, in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 19 May.

Breast cancer uncovered at free public lecture at CSU in Dubbo

* Four Dubbo experts will speak about breast cancer experiences and support services

* Free CSU public lecture aims to engage regional Australia on this disease.

* Four well-known community members will lead a panel to discuss their personal experiences with breast cancer

‘Breast Cancer Uncovered’ is the topic of the next Explorations Series free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Thursday 24 May.

Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo Ms Cathy Maginnis said the Explorations Series is part of the University’s community engagement program, which brings diverse speakers to share ideas, thoughts and opinions on topical issues.

“The Explorations Series public lectures aim to engage our rural and regional communities in discussion and debate about major issues facing our regions, the nation and the world,” Ms Maginnis said.

“The focus of this public lecture is breast cancer, an insidious disease that has affected and continues to affect many people in rural communities. Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate between gender or age.

“We have invited four well-known community members to form a panel to discuss their personal experiences with breast cancer and the journeys they have undertaken to enhance breast cancer support services throughout the region,” Ms Cathy Maginnis said

The speakers are Ms Donna Falconer, author of My Time and founder of the Pink Angels and Groovy Booby Bus; Mr Graeme Board, OAM; and the Dubbo-based McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses, Ms Vanessa Hyland and Ms Margie Collins.

Each panel member will deliver a brief presentation and answer questions from the audience, followed by a light supper.

This free CSU Explorations Series public lecture will be at 6pm on Thursday 24 May in room 202, building 902, at CSU, Tony McGrane Place, Dubbo.

Participants are asked to register their intended attendance online here: http://news.csu.edu.au/events?a=3014820

Prior to the event there will be a media opportunity with the speakers at 3pm on Wednesday 16 May.

CSU paramedic student receives prestigious Rural Fire Service Award

* CSU Port Macquarie Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) 2^nd year student received a prestigious Rural Fire Service Award.

* Brigade unit awarded a Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation in recognition of outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2nd year Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) student Ms Karma Reeves has received a Rural Fire Service award as part of a team that rescued a trapped man last year.

On Tuesday 7 February 2017 the Pacific Palms Rural Fire Service (RFS) were the first to arrive on the scene where a man was trapped under a small excavator, which had overturned in a shallow dam at Charlotte Bay on the NSW Mid North Coast.

The man was pinned by the machine, and managed to keep his mouth and nose above the water. He’d been trapped for several hours and was struggling to maintain his position.

The crew were unable to extract the victim so instead set up pumps to try and reduce the dam water level to provide relief for the victim and support the rescue effort.

The NSW Fire and Rescue units from Forster arrived and worked closely with the RFS to rescue the victim.

Ms Reeves said given the muddy base of the dam and the awkward position of the victim it took 40 minutes to rescue the victim.

“It was a great honour to receive the award with my fellow crew members. It was a difficult and challenging rescue, but seeing everyone work together and having a successful rescue was great,” Ms Reeves said.

Ms Reeves has been an RFS volunteer for the past two years.

“I love being involved in the community and it’s a great experience and exposure for my studies to become a paramedic,” Ms Reeves said.

The Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation (Unit) is an award that recognises outstanding actions in relation to fire service duties.

The Certificate of Commendation was awarded to the unit last week for service beyond the scope and responsibility normally expected of a unit in their assigned duties.

Alumni welcomed to CSU facilities in Dubbo

* CSU access program for alumni residing in Dubbo and region

* Alumni have  24/7 access to the library and learning commons, gym access, Wi-Fi access and the ability to book meeting spaces

As part of its commitment to support its graduates to succeed in work and life, Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo launched its new access program for alumni on Thursday 10 May.

Head of Campus of CSU in Dubbo Ms Cathy Maginnis said the new alumni access program is open to all past students of CSU who reside in Dubbo and the surrounding region.

“Charles Sturt University is keen to support our graduates to succeed in work and life, and the program is a further expression of the University’s ethos derived from the Wiradjuri phrase yindymarra winhangana, ‘the wisdom of knowing how to live well in a world worth living in’,” Ms Maginnis said.

“We aim to engage with our alumni, to forge mutually beneficial relationships, to celebrate their successes and to continue to value-add and offer support to them throughout their lives.

“The University in Dubbo is a dynamic and forward looking institution which aims to enhance its presence in the community and continue its fruitful relationship with its locally-based graduates.

“I encourage all Charles Sturt University alumni living in Dubbo and the surrounding region to take advantage of the access program.”

CSU alumni in Dubbo will have:

* 24/7 access to the library and learning commons

* gymnasium access

* able to book meeting spaces

* Wi-Fi access

Director of Advancement, Sarah Ansell was present at the launch and spoke on the importance of alumni and continuing engagement with this sector of the University community. Also present at the launch were four members from the Orana and Far Western Regional Consultative Committee; Ms Ann-Marie Furney, Mr Jeff Caldbeck, Ms Jo Lawrence, and Mr Denis Armstrong.

CSU alumni featured on the flags include:

* Ms Juliet Duffy, sustainable management, entrepreneur / advocate for women in STEM

* Mr Nicolas Steepe, social work, project manager, Equity and Diversity at CSU

* Mr Steve Hinks, management, Director of Taronga Western Plains Zoo

* Ms Jo Lawrence, psychology, Executive District Director, Family and Community Services (FaCS)

Federal Minister launches Charles Sturt University’s $100,000 community grants program in Orange

* Federal Minister for Rural Health, Senator Bridget McKenzie today launched the CSU $100,000 Community-University Partnerships (CUP) program for 2018 in Orange.

* Up to $20,000 available across five different categories - arts and culture, education, sport, indigenous programs as well as grants to support small community initiatives.

* Minister McKenzie who was joined by Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee MP also inspected the dentistry and allied health teaching facilities at CSU Orange.

Federal Minister for Rural Health, Senator Bridget McKenzie today launched Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) 2018 $100,000 community grants program for Orange and the NSW Central West.

“I am delighted to be here with my colleague, the Federal Member for Calare, Mr Andrew Gee to launch Charles Sturt University’s community grants program that provides vital support to local community groups across Orange and the Central West.

“This program by CSU supports the development of our regions with grants going to community groups and initiatives across arts and culture, education, sport, indigenous programs as well as discretionary grants for small community initiatives.

“I applaud this fantastic initiative by CSU and I encourage members of the Orange and the Central West community to apply,” Minister McKenzie said.

Acting CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Toni Downes, said, “The CSU program provides grants from as little as a few hundred dollars, up to $20,000. It’s important that CSU can support a diverse range of initiatives that strengthen our regional communities.

“Given that winter is just around the corner, we have opened this year’s grant program with the Rural and Regional Sports Development round first and the other grant programs will open in a rolling fashion throughout the year,” Professor Downes said.

Minister McKenzie also toured the University’s Orange site with Mr Andrew Gee MP to inspect the University’s quality teaching facilities and the dentistry and allied health courses offered at CSU in Orange.

Applications are now open for the 2018 CUP Rural and Regional Sports Development Program with the others to open one after the other.

Further information, application packs and program guidelines can be found here.

New Booranga writer-in-residence to speak in Wagga Wagga

* Award-winning author Lili Wilkinson at Booranga to present reading and workshops

* Free Public Reading from 5 pm to 7pm on Thursday 3 May at Historic Council Chambers, Baylis Street

* Writing Workshop from 2pm to 4pm Saturday 12 May at Booranga Writers’ Centre, Mambarra Drive

Booranga Writers’ Centre in Wagga Wagga will this week welcome a new writer-in-residence, award-winning young adult author Ms Lili Wilkinson (pictured), for a two-week residency.

Adjunct senior lecturer in English at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Wagga Wagga and President of Booranga Writers’ Centre Mr David Gilbey said Ms Wilkinson is Booranga’s second writer-in-residence for 2018.

“We try to invite writers who have published in different genres and styles at Booranga, and we’re very excited to have such an accomplished ‘Gen Y’ young adult author coming here,” Mr Gilbey said.

Ms Wilkinson is the award-winning author of eleven books, including Green Valentine and Pink. She established insideadog.com.au and the Inky Awards at the Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria. Lili has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne, and now spends most of her time reading and writing books for children and teenagers. Her latest novel is The Boundless Sublime.

Mr Gilbey said, “Lili’s writing has received many commendations and we particularly like her interest in what might be called the ‘surreal’ intersections between reality and consciousness (Lili says she enjoyed and was influenced by Lewis Carroll’s Alice Through the Looking Glass), especially as it affects young adult readers.

“Her latest novel, The Boundless Sublime, takes readers to some of the dark places – unhappy families, overwhelming personal sadness and the deceptive seductions of cult membership. Her characterisation is strong, and the narrative engaging.

“While at Booranga, Lili will speak to on-campus students taking the subject Australian Children’s Literature, focussing on her next project about fairy tales,” Mr Gilbey concluded.

Ms Wilkinson’s Booranga writer-in-residence events are:

* Public Reading from 5 pm to 7pm on Thursday 3 May at Historic Council Chambers, Fitzmaurice Street Wagga Wagga; Free, but bookings essential as seating is limited. RSVP

* Writing Workshop from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 12 May at Booranga Writers’ Centre, Mambarra Drive, Wagga Wagga; cost: Free for members, a $10 donation is requested from non-members. RSVP

More information about Ms Wilkinson can be found at http://liliwilkinson.com.au/

For more information contact Booranga President, Mr David Gilbey dgilbey@csu.edu.au or Creative Director Ms Kathryn Halliwell director@booranga.com

CSU hosts annual careers advice FACTS Day

* Hundreds of central west senior high students to attend careers advice day at CSU in Bathurst

* Dozens of local, state and national organisations will advise students

The annual 2018 FACTS Day for senior high school students in the central west will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Friday 4 May.

CSU prospective student adviser Ms Melinda Negus (pictured) said, “The day provides an excellent opportunity for students in their final year to gather information and speak to higher education and advisers from numerous universities and employers.

“Our experience over many years shows students appreciate this opportunity, and it helps guide them in their study and career choices.”

Participating organisations include TAFE, Verto Ltd, Orana Fashion, the Australian Defence Force, the Universities Admissions Centre, the NSW Police Force, the University of Sydney, the University of Wollongong, the NSW Department of Industry – Training Services, and the Commonwealth Department of Human Services.

There will be two morning sessions, and one concurrent speaker session during each session. The speaker is from the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and will explain the university application processes.

The 2018 FACTS Day will be held at the CD Blake Auditorium (building 1220) at CSU in Bathurst on Friday 4 May: Session 1, 10.30am to 11.30am, and Session 2, 11.45am to 12.45pm.

Participating central west high schools include:

Denison College Bathurst High and Kelso High (Bathurst), Cowra High School, Orange High School, Molong Central School, MacKillop College (Bathurst), Canowindra High School, Blayney High School, Yeoval Central School, Oberon High School, Canobolas Rural Tech School (Orange), Kandos High School, All Saints College (Bathurst), The Scots School (Bathurst), La Salle Academy (Forbes), St Stanislaus College (Bathurst).