Archive
Animal idol finals on tomorrow
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003The finals of Animal Idol will be held on the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) tomorrow. The brainchild of Professor Martin Sillence in the CSU Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences School and course coordinator of the new Bachelor of Animal Science, Animal Idol has first year Animal Science students compete in an Australian Idol-style competition. “It is designed to improve presentation skills,” said Dr Sillence. “Each week a different topic is researched and I set a distinct theme and context. Once students gave a presentation aimed at school children, another was an ‘unplugged’ presentation with no power point or other electronic devices. There is a panel of judges drawn from CSU - perhaps one is a little bit ‘Marcia’, and two are a little bit ‘Dicko’. The students vote by SMS to eliminate one of the presentation teams. It is novel, but it seems to be working. I have been amazed by the standard of presentations and the way the students have improved from week to week.”
New face at CSU Winery
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Wine innovation has arrived at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) with Dr Jim Hardie accepting the role as Professor of Winegrowing Innovation. Dr Hardie has more than 30 years experience in viticultural research and vineyard management including ten years with Brown Brothers Vineyards at Milawa in north east Victoria where he established the Whitlands Vineyard, a pioneering project in cool climate viticulture. Dr Hardie is a strong advocate of international collaboration, with particular interest in applying new knowledge and technology to produce premium quality wine and other grape products. Dr Hardie says his goal is “to accelerate the contribution of CSU and its collaborators in the NWGIC toward intellectual leadership and value-adding, high impact, technical innovation within the Australian wine industry”.
Exercise pilot study shows promise
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
A seven-week pilot project at Masterfoods in Bathurst will expand into a larger study later this year, according to Dr Rob Duffield, lecturer in the School of Human Movement (SOHM) at Charles Sturt University. Twenty shift workers participated in an exercise training program with predictable results – improved fitness and weight loss. As well, the participants reported lower stress levels, less fatigue, and clearer on-the-job decision making. There was even “a small trend in improved absenteeism and reporting of sickness,” said Dr Duffield. Sport and exercise psychologist in the SOHM Dr Les Podlog interviewed the participants about their on-going commitment to the program. He identified camaraderie amongst the group and enhanced self-confidence as key contributing factors. In addition, “shift workers require convenient scheduling times to ensure sustained participation, and it is important to mix people who already get along,” Dr Podlog said.
Count CSU in
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Schools and other institutions around Australia, including Charles Sturt University (CSU), will burst into song – the same song – at 11am Thursday 30 August. Life is a Song has been especially written for the project entitled Music, Count Us In, which is an initiative of the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training. CSU choir master and music lecturer in the School of Teacher Education Dr Christopher Klopper calls the project “fantastic” and confirms that Life is a Song will be performed on CSU’s Bathurst Campus. He says the timing of the project also coincides with his fourth year student’s practicums, so they will take the project into schools around New South Wales. “This is an opportunity for everyone in Australia to be learning one shared song. It will raise awareness of music education and, if it is successful, could become an annual event.”
CSU students win Battle of the Bands
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
The Tremendous, a band made up of students from Charles Sturt University (CSU), took out the Rock Up 2007 Battle of the Bands final in Dubbo earlier this month. Laurie Mahon, a first year Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of Business Studies student, describes his band's music as "folk mixed with psychedelic, funk, jazz and roots". Other CSU students in The Tremendous are Lily Leahy, Liam Robertson and Julian Pavey. Mr Mahon says the two vocalists, Grace Turner and Zana Kobayashi, are hoping to enrol at CSU next year. Part of the prize includes two days recording time and after that, The Tremendous will tour the east coast of New South Wales. “It’s very much a dream – to be able to tour and record. If we work hard then hopefully it will become a reality. I’ve been in a lot of bands, and this is the first that people come up after the show and tell us how much they enjoy the music, and that is exhilarating,” said Mr Mahon.
Animal idol winner
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Team Barracuda took out the finals of Animal Idol on the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) last week. Each week, first year animal science students presented on a topic chosen by their course coordinator, with the added challenge of delivering their presentations in varying contexts, such as gearing the talk towards school children, or ‘unplugged’ without the benefit of electronic devices such as Powerpoint or overhead projection. The teams were then judged by an Australian Idol style panel. Cassandra Macdonald from Team Barracuda accepted the trophy, certificate and first prize of $1 000 at a barbecue last Friday 15 June, saying the experience was “good fun and a good experience. It definitely built up my confidence”.Designing for Lee Lin Chin
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Innovative and interesting jewellery pieces designed and produced by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be showcased at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Presented by the School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Continuum exhibition reveals the work of current CSU students studying Bachelor of Arts in jewellery. The exhibition will focus on the recent works of third year students who designed and manufactured pieces for Lee Lin Chin, the SBS World News presenter recognised in Australian fashion circles for her distinctive style. Ms Chin will also have the opportunity to select her favourite piece from the collection. The Continuum exhibition, located in the Art Gallery’s Art Education Room, will go on public display from Tuesday 19 June and will be officially opened on Friday 22 June at 6pm.
New Head of Bathurst Campus appointed
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Dean of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Business Faculty Professor John Hicks has been appointed the new Head of the Bathurst Campus. He will commence in the position on Friday 22 June when the current Campus Head, Associate Professor Greg Walker, retires. Professor Hicks has had an extensive academic career and has worked as a senior economist in the private sector. He joined CSU in 1993. His current research interests include the application of macroeconomic policy at regional and national levels – especially in relation to China, the economics of education, the application of economics to business strategy and the economics of terrorism. Professor Hicks paid tribute to a job well done by Professor Walker. “Greg has done an outstanding job of engaging with the Bathurst community. And I want the University and community to continue to work together to achieve even greater outcomes.”
CSU Ontario’s second graduation is on song
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
CSU Ontario second-ever graduation will take place later this week. Over 250 graduands from the Faculties of Education, Arts, Health Studies, Science and Agriculture are expected to attend the two formal graduation sessions. Lisa Martin is not only graduating from her Bachelor of Primary Education Studies with distinction, but is also a passionate member of the CSU Ontario choir. A classically trained singer, Lisa received the gold medal in performance in her undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, and has a Masters of Music from McGill University in Quebec: “The choir was a great way to unwind on Fridays during our teaching block and it adds another bonding element to the graduation experience.” Lisa adds that she is “thrilled” to have secured a position teaching grade 3-8 vocal with the Waterloo District School Board in Ontario.
Albury students get AVID in US
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Five Charles Sturt University (CSU) middle school teaching students will travel to the United States this July to learn more about the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) education program. Maree Arnold, Erin McCabe, Melissa Loats, Lauren O'Shea and Sean Walker will participate in the latest professional development work with middle and high school teachers throughout the United States when they attend the AVID Summer Institute in San Diego, California. In addition to the conference, the students will tour local middle schools, work with local high school students and meet other education students from San Diego. CSU middle school education course coordinator Dr Sally Knipe said this was an opportunity for pre-service teachers to acquire professional insights into a highly successful program designed to increase academic performance and entry into university