University scholarships up for grabs

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships for Charles Sturt University (CSU) students studying on all CSU’s campuses in 2007 are now open for applications. The Federally-funded scholarships aim to improve access for students from geographically remote locations or lower socio-economic circumstances to a university education. The program includes accommodation scholarships worth over $4 000 per year for up to four years; and education scholarships worth over $2 000 per year for up to four years. In 2006 CSU students were successful in gaining 105 accommodation scholarships and 128 education scholarships. In addition the University has funded 30 new Professional Placement Equity Scholarships as part of the CSU’s leadership in practical and industry based training. The scholarships are aimed at assisting CSU students to take part in compulsory professional placements required for their courses. Applications for Professional Placement Scholarship support close on Friday 25 August. Worth a total of $30 000, each successful applicant is eligible for up to $1 000 each.

Swooping season is almost here

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Like a scene from Hitchcock’s horror movie The Birds, one minute you are strolling along and the next you are being attacked from behind by a magpie. Dr David Watson, senior lecturer in Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Environmental & Information Sciences, says to expect the magpie swooping season to begin this week or next. “The first thing to realise is they are just parents looking after their kids, they are not crazy birds with a ‘bee in their bonnet’.” He recommends avoiding the nesting trees and carrying an umbrella or wearing a wide brimmed hat. Dr Watson says the magpie problem on the University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus is caused by hand feeding which has made some of the birds so tame they wander freely into University buildings, including lecture theatres. “Hand feeding can lead to problems and eventually the bird becomes too bold for its own good. As with swooping, it can cause problems.”

The Wombat who became a Buffalo

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Daryl McMahon’s Rugby club history includes Charles Sturt University, the Mudgee Wombats and now the Vientiane Buffalos. The Buffalos are one of four teams in the Lao Rugby Federation. Daryl’s job, funded through Volunteer International Development of Australia, is to develop the sport throughout Laos. The CSU graduate says Rugby is taking off all over Asia, with the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) claiming 25 member countries. The national Lao team recently made their international debut competing against Brunei, Indonesia, and Cambodia in the ARFU Division 6 Tournament. He describes the local players as “fearless. In the Lao culture there is minimal physical contact, so we had to overcome that in the Rugby training. And you have to be tough off the rugby field as well, because the Lao culture involves a lot of eating and drinking the local Lao whiskey."

Lest we forget

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Last week the UK government announced that all 306 British World War One soldiers executed for desertion or cowardice are to be pardoned, saying the decision was taken on moral grounds. Charles Sturt University (CSU) historian Dr Rob McLachlan, an adjunct senior lecturer in the School of Social Sciences and Liberal Studies, says it was the court martial and execution of Australian soldiers “Breaker” Morant and Peter Handcock from Bathurst during the earlier Boer War that prevented Australian soldiers suffering the same fate as their British counterparts. He says the public outcry over the deaths of Morant and Handcock ensured Australian soldiers would never again face a British court martial. “Also, the Australian Infantry Force (AIF) was a fully volunteer force, and was not the sort of military that would take easily to this extreme form of discipline. However, I see nothing in the human condition to say it won't happen again.”

Limits to Life in the Fast Lane

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Today's athletes are a marvel of evolution - their stamina a product of modern training and deep understanding of physiology - or is it? Over 10 years of research, Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Associate Professor Frank Marino has found stamina is closely related to the function of the brain and central nervous system. His public lecture on Wednesday 23 August will discuss modern theories on human endurance and limits of human physiology. His presentation will interest sportspeople, the health professions and anyone with an interest in sport and human performance. Professor Marino is Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology and Head of CSU's School of Human Movement. The lecture will start at 6pm in the Nowik Lecture Theatre, Guinea St, Albury.

CSU part of the Orange community

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Charles Sturt University (CSU)’s academic excellence and work within the Orange community will be celebrated and highlighted at a special Community Day to be held at the University’s new Orange Campus on Saturday 9 September. The Orange institution has been part of the City of Orange since 1973 but with its recent addition to the CSU family, there is plenty to celebrate. Local citizens can visit the campus and see how the university and its staff have incorporated their work into Orange and beyond. Highlights will include a pet parade and vet checks, wine appreciation sessions, public lectures and music. Head of the Orange Campus Professor Kevin Parton believes it is a great opportunity for local residents to visit the campus who have never seen the grounds before. “We are always open to the public but the Community Day gives everyone a reason to visit,” he said.

Long serving staff members honoured

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003

Inaugural CSU Rugby fundraiser

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Reminiscences will flow like beer after a Rugby game at the inaugural Charles Sturt University (CSU) Rugby Fundraiser on Friday 1 September. Well known author and sports journalist Peter FitzSimons is the guest speaker at the fundraiser, which will be held at the Northern Suburbs Rugby Club in Sydney, where CSU alumnus and Rugby Old Boy John Tully is CEO. Also attending is Ross Reynolds, another Old Boy, ex-Wallaby and current forwards coach of the Brumbies. Michelle Fawkes, CSU Alumni Officer says funds raised will go towards registration and insurance costs for the five CSU Rugby teams (including a women’s team) entered in the Central West Division 1 Competition, as well as providing for an accommodation placement and a scholarship.

Wangaratta businesses vie for access awards

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003

CSU Connects with adult learners

Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003