Archive
Farewell to marketing director
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003After eight years at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Executive Director of CSU’s Division of Marketing and Community Education, Ken Ball is leaving CSU to further his photography career. He cites the integration of the marketing website, the development of the CSU Contact Centre and the establishment of the CSU Outback Art School in Broken Hill as highlights of his time at CSU. Despite his burgeoning photography career, which includes three books and numerous exhibitions, he says he will always fondly remember his years at CSU. “It’s been great working here. CSU is quite entrepreneurial, the thinking here is different to a lot of universities which are set in a traditional mould and set in their ways. CSU is very responsive, and that makes the University what it is.”
Life-time work for agricultural education honoured
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
The peak body for Australian agricultural scientists and technologists has honoured the life-time professional work of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Emeritus Professor Ted Wolfe. The Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST), representing professionals working in agricultural science and natural resource management, has made Professor Wolfe a Fellow of the Institute. He has a lengthy involvement with agricultural education at the University which in recent years has seen him lead international student exchanges between CSU and the University of Delaware, USA. Professor Wolfe has also been recognised for his work in building the agricultural capacity of countries like North Korea and Eritrea, visiting and building ties with both countries. He believes strongly in the benefit of these visits to scientific agriculture and to farmers, not only in the host country but also in Australia. “Following the recent run of poor seasons, the Australian agricultural sector deserves on-going community support for the valuable role it plays in food security, land care and earning export income,” said Professor Wolfe. Outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Science Professor Jim Pratley said this was a fitting and richly deserved reward for Professor Wolfe for his tireless commitment to agriculture and AIAST.
Tribal Love comes to Bathurst
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003The Ponton Theatre might not need its heaters on “high” even though Hair – the Tribal Love Rock Musical opens next week in the middle of a Bathurst winter. Show producer and director, Charles Sturt University (CSU) second year theatre media student Adam Ross, describes the plot as “about a bunch of hippies who protest against war, take a lot of drugs and get nude and sing about sexual freedom.” He says the topics raised by the musical are pertinent at present. “With the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and with the issues of gay marriage and sexual freedom, it really hits home.” He also says the show will be a “trip down memory lane” for older people. “While putting up posters around campus, many lecturers are going, ‘Hair, I haven’t seen that since I was 15!’ I know it will bring back a lot of memories.” Hair opens on Wednesday 2 August, and continues on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 August. Bookings can be made by calling: Mobile 0428 611 916. This production will follow the dark play Kafka’s Metamorphosis, to be performed by CSU theatre media students this Thursday 27, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July at the Ponton Theatre in Bathurst, starting at 8pm. For bookings, call: Mobile 0405 449 653.
Outstanding young achievers
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) students have been awarded NSW Farmers scholarships and have been described as “outstanding young achievers set to make their mark on country NSW”. Megan McGrice, a Bachelor of Veterinary Science student, and James Christie who is currently completing honours in a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) both study at CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus. James says the scholarship money is a bonus, “especially when you are on a University student budget. Mum and Dad are stoked.” James and Megan each received $5 000 at the Association's Annual Conference on Wednesday 19 July. Chair of the Association's Rural Affairs Committee, Alan Brown, said the high calibre of entries this year was very inspiring and shows that that the future of rural NSW is in good hands, with all the winners planning to use their talents and skills back in regional areas. Megan says the Veterinary Science course “is all about trying to give something back to rural areas. I grew up on the land and I know what it is like to not have a vet around. I want to help farmers and help out in rural areas.”
Education the answer
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Virginia Falk is driven. While queuing at Centrelink and wondering how she was going to support four children alone, she decided education was the answer. “I did six degrees in five-and-a-half years. I think it’s a record,” she says with some understatement. Starting with three undergraduate courses, including a Bachelor of Vocational Education and Training from Charles Sturt University (CSU), she is currently a Chief Executive Officer with the NSW Department of Natural Resources. Her role there is to establish, administer and implement the Aboriginal Water Trust, a project to increase the level of Aboriginal participation in industries such as nurseries, recycling and “fertigation”. Meanwhile, her studies continue. “My doctoral thesis will be a breakthrough as far as understanding what water means to Aboriginal people, and how competition for water impacts on Aboriginal communities. I think that is going to be a really important area for people to understand.”
Sister city students return to Bathurst
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Every year for the past 15 years, Ohkuma in Japan sends a group of school students to be hosted in Bathurst homes in Central West New South Wales, as part of the sister city relationship that has grown between the two cities. And for several years now those students take part in intense English language courses at Charles Sturt University (CSU). CSU education lecturer Dr Pauline Jones describes it as a “community collaboration. Because of the long-standing relationships we are now seeing younger brothers and sisters of the original students, so we catch up on all their news.” Dr Jones says the lecturers like to trial and evaluate their TESOL programs during the intensive English classes, and the Japanese students English language development is dramatic because as well as the lessons at CSU, they are also speaking English with their Bathurst host families.
A very special education
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
"I just love seeing the kids achieve, it is so much fun ... I didn’t really want to be a mainstream teacher, special education is where I want to be." Sarah Poulos is seeing her dreams coming true. Currently in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Primary Education (Special Education) at Charles Sturt University (CSU), she describes her professional development goals as “to do my Masters and to secure a permanent job in a Special Education classroom - they are now both set in concrete.” Sarah has received a two-year scholarship from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) valued at $15 000. Next year, Sarah will move to RIDBC in Sydney to complete a Master of Special Education degree, specialising in hearing impairment. She will work with children with cochlear implants, getting them ready for mainstream schools. Life is very full for Sarah; she is just back from one of her regular trips overseas, her summer job as a lifeguard and swim school coordinator at Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre begins soon in September, and she is getting married at Christmas.
The future of tertiary teaching
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Videoconferencing will be a significant component of teaching in the future according to Charles Sturt University (CSU) mathematics lecturer Michael Kemp who spoke at a public seminar today about the challenges facing lecturers who are not always teaching in the same room as their students. “As the world evolves into a smaller place with email and videoconferencing becoming an everyday occurrence, Australia’s largest regional university CSU has trained their academics to use the latest technology and present lectures to students throughout NSW and across the country.” Having taught mathematics via videoconferences and forums during the past semester at CSU, Mr Kemp looked at his practices through a survey with students to present a public seminar on lessons learnt titled Lessons Learned About Remote Teaching.
Central West business performance rising
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Central West businesses performed better in the June quarter than the preceding quarter, according to the latest Reliance Credit Union business survey released on Wednesday 2 August by Charles Sturt University’s Western Research Institute (WRI). "Interestingly, Central West businesses still expect to improve their performance again in the September quarter, even though interest rates rose yesterday. It is expected, however, that regional NSW business will be less affected by the rise in terest rates than Sydney due to smaller mortgages and less business debt," said WRI CEO, Tom Murphy. It was noted that fuels costs were the most negative influence on business activity, particularly transport. All business sectors except agriculture showed positive performance in June. The business survey, sponsored by Reliance Credit Union and the Central West Regional Development Board, was returned by over 400 businesses including mining, agriculture, tourist, retail and transport industries across regional NSW.
Collaboration for professional training in regional Australia
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Maintaining and upgrading skills, continuing professional education and accessing the latest research and expertise has been cited as major problems for attracting and keeping health professionals in regional Australia. Charles Sturt University (CSU), the NSW Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS) and Occupational Therapy Australia (NSW) are collaborating to bring vital professional development to health clinicians in southern NSW. Over 30 occupational therapists from the region will update their skills and explore new forms of professional education at a two day workshop in Gundagai on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 August. CSU’s Professor of Occupational Therapy Gail Whiteford, Dr Michael Curtin and Clare Wilding will lead discussions in how to better train future occupational therapists for the region. GSAHS allied heath director Ros Bauer said the partnership between CSU, GSAHS and OT Australia will provide much needed professional support for clinicians in communities across the region and to explore new ways of delivering health services.