The influence of the ‘father of evolution’, Charles Darwin, on Australian thinking is the subject of a new book by noted Australian writer and Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Bishop Tom Frame. Titled Evolution in the Antipodes: Charles Darwin and Australia, the book examines Darwin’s life and times, including his 1836 visit to Australia on the HMS Beagle and his foray into the NSW hinterland, which took him as far inland as Bathurst. Professor Frame also discusses the historic disputes and contemporary debates about Darwin’s motivations and methods; his scientific conclusions and their social consequences; and the ways in which Darwin’s work continues to shape Australian public policy and private behaviour. Evolution in the Antipodes will interest students of Australian history and readers of maritime affairs, natural science and theistic religion. Tom Frame is also Director of St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra, which includes the CSU School of Theology.

Year 12 is a time when most students decide on their path for the future. Everyone wants to be successful and to make the best choices, but accessing the right information at the right time is not always easy. That’s where Charles Sturt University (CSU) , Southern Cross University and the University of New England can help. These universities recognise the importance of helping students select the right study options. That’s why they go direct to local students via the Regional University Road Show. Now in its eighth year, the Regional University Road Show visits 110 schools, sharing information with around 4500 students. As CSU Prospective Student Adviser Ms Fran Dwyer explains, the Regional University Road Show provides senior high school students with accurate and timely information regarding university education. “By pooling resources, CSU, SCU and UNE are able to provide excellent advice to students in one visit, maximising the study options presented to students while minimising the amount of time students need to be away from the classroom.” Denison College-Kelso High Campus Careers Adviser Denis Behan says the Regional University Road Show is a wonderful opportunity for his students to explore the wide range of courses on offer at regional universities as well as familiarising themselves with entry requirements, selection procedures, scholarships and accommodation options. “Having three regional universities visit at the same time allows my students to seriously consider future university study and to start examining their study options. Having direct access to experienced advisors is a big plus too. Also having the universities visit us is very convenient for my students.” Next week, the Regional University Road Show will be in Bathurst, visiting Dennison College Kelso Campus, McKillop College and St Stanislaus. Students from Dennison College Bathurst Campus, Scots College, Cowra, Blayney, Oberon and Portland High Schools will be travelling to Bathurst host schools to take part in the presentations. In a world of endless possibilities, it’s difficult to determine the best course of action for your future. The Regional University Road Show will help you find a study option to suit you.

Year 12 is a time when most students decide on their path for the future. Everyone wants to be successful and to make the best choices, but accessing the right information at the right time is not always easy. That’s where Charles Sturt University (CSU), Southern Cross University and the University of New England can help. These universities recognise the importance of helping students select the right study options. That’s why they go direct to local students via the Regional University Road Show. Now in its eighth year, the Regional University Road Show visits 110 schools, sharing information with around 4500 students. As CSU Student Adviser Ms Katy O’Brien explains, the Regional University Road Show provides senior high school students with accurate and timely information regarding university education. “By pooling resources, CSU, SCU and UNE are able to provide excellent advice to students in one visit, maximising the study options presented to students while minimising the amount of time students need to be away from the classroom.” Dubbo College Senior Campus Careers Adviser Ms Samantha Skinner says the Regional University Road Show is a wonderful opportunity for her students as well as students from other local high schools. "The Careers Team at Dubbo College Senior Campus are keen supporters of the Regional Universities Road Show.  With over 50 percent of Year 12 accepting a place at university this year, we recognise the importance to our students of current information regarding university admissions and study options.  UNE, SCU and CSU understand the needs of students from regional communities, and the road show really reflects this." Next week, the Regional University Road Show will be in Dubbo, visiting Dubbo Christian School, Dubbo Senior College and Macquarie Anglican Grammar School. Students from St John’s College, Peak Hill, Gilgandra, Narromine,Tullamore and Trundle Schools will be travelling to Dubbo host schools to take part in the presentations. In a world of endless possibilities, it’s difficult to determine the best course of action for your future. The Regional University Road Show will help you find a study option to suit you.

Year 12 is a time when most students decide on their path for the future. Everyone wants to be successful and to make the best choices, but accessing the right information at the right time is not always easy. That’s where Charles Sturt University, (CSU) Southern Cross University and the University of New England can help. These universities recognise the importance of helping students select the right study options. That’s why they go direct to local students via the Regional University Road Show. Now in its eighth year, the Regional University Road Show visits 110 schools, sharing information with around 4500 students. As CSU Prospective Student Adviser Ms Katy O’Brien explains, the Regional University Road Show provides senior high school students with accurate and timely information regarding university education. “By pooling resources, CSU, SCU and UNE are able to provide excellent advice to students in one visit, maximising the study options presented to students while minimising the amount of time students need to be away from the classroom.” Orange Christian School Careers Adviser Ms Melissa Brown says the Regional University Road Show is a wonderful opportunity for her students as well as students from other local high schools. “Our students are able to hear from three different universities in the one session which enables them to consider a number of options for future study. Often regional students have difficulty attending university open days, so here the universities come to them. The sessions are very informative and give lots of time for questions about both the study options and the admissions process." Next week, the Regional University Road Show will be in Orange, visiting Orange Christian School, Orange High, Kinross Wolaroi and James Sheahan. Students from Canowindra and Molong will be travelling to Orange host schools to take part in the presentations. In a world of endless possibilities, it’s difficult to determine the best course of action for your future. The Regional University Road Show will help you find a study option to suit you.

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Teacher Education at Dubbo, in collaboration with TAFE NSW Western Institute, will introduce the Certificate 1 in Aboriginal language (Wiradjuri language) to be run on the Dubbo campus from Thursday 26 February for CSU students. Ms Maria Bennet, lecturer at the School of Teacher Education, said this TAFE-certified course will be taught by local teacher Ms Diane McNaboe and aims to equip pre-service teachers and school-related personnel with understanding and knowledge fundamental to working with Aboriginal students, families and communities. “The course aims to provide learners with the basic skills and strategies to achieve Aboriginal language competencies,” Ms Bennet said. “This will provide a basic knowledge and appreciation of backgrounds, languages, beliefs and customs.”

Staff from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication gathered in Bathurst’s Machattie Park on Thursday 12 February to mark the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. When Darwin voyaged to Australia in 1836, Bathurst was the most westward point of his inland journey, and when his book On the Origin of Species was published in November 1859, it changed the scientific understanding of life on Earth. At the commemorative morning tea in the park’s rotunda yesterday, CSU Professor of Communication, John Carroll, read extracts from Darwin’s journal to the gathering which also included members of the Bathurst branch of the Pensioners and Superannuants Association. Writing on 20 and 21 January 1836, Darwin observed ‘Bathurst has a singular and not very inviting appearance; groups of small houses, and a few large ones, are scattered rather thickly over two or three miles of a bare country which is divided into numerous fields’. He described conditions as hot, dry and dusty, noting the Macquarie River was a ‘mere chain of ponds … separated from each other by spaces almost dry’, but added ‘a little water does flow, and sometimes there are high and most impetuous floods’. He acknowledged that ‘the season had been one of great drought, and that the country does not at present wear a favourable aspect; although I understand two or three months ago it was incomparably worse’. T’was ever thus.