Music, sunset and the leafy surrounds of the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens will set the scene for a recital by members of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music as part of the public lecture series hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU).  The ‘Music under the leaves’ recital, on Friday 4 November, will feature works for a combination of flute, guitar, violin, viola, bass, drums and vocals. Musicians Mr Jeff Donovan, Ms Tamaris Pfeiffer, Ms Lauren Davis, and Mr Brett Thompson will perform along with jazz ensemble The Conmen. Ms Davis said the informal setting means families will be able to come along and enjoy the recital. “This is a wonderful opportunity to sit outside and listen to a wide variety of music in a beautiful location,” she said. “As a musician it is a good way to reach a wider audience and promote a greater interest in music.” CSU wine and cheese will be served after the performance.

The stage is set for 21 acting students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) to perform for a local audience before auditioning in front of industry representatives in Sydney. The ‘2011 Showcase’ is the culmination of three years of study for the graduating students of the Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage). Held at the Riverina Playhouse in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 27 October, the show will feature short scenes from contemporary plays, with a mix of comedy and drama. Lecturer with the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. Ms Kim Hardwick said students  will next week begin job hunting with a performance for industry professionals in Sydney. “We have theatrical and casting agents, managers, producers and directors coming along,” she said “For most students this is their first contact with industry professionals. It gives them experience in auditioning and casting calls, while marketing their talents.”

NSW Minister for Small Business, the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson, MP, will launch Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) newest business degree, the Graduate Certificate of Small Business Management in Wagga Wagga tomorrow, Wednesday 26 October. Ms Hodgkinson, who is also the Minister for Primary Industries, will be joined at the launch by Ms Yasmin King, the NSW Commissioner for Small Business who is currently conducting a listening tour throughout the state. CSU's Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management offers students access to industry peers, market leaders and other leading resources. On the eve of the launch, the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber has appointed course director Dr Lan Snell as an ex officio Board Member in recognition of CSU's contribution to the Wagga Wagga business community.  “The launch has already received an overwhelming show of support through the heavy representation of industry and local bodies,” Dr Snell said. “It shows how much support for small business there is in the region.”

Many years of dedicated rescue work has seen an IT training officer at Charles Sturt University (CSU) honoured as a ‘hidden treasure’ in the annual NSW government awards for women volunteers in rural communities. Ms Sue Dixon, who works in the CSU Division of Information Technology in Bathurst, was acknowledged in the NSW Department of Primary Industries 2011 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll for 15 years dedication since she joined the local branch of the State Emergency Service in February 1996. Ms Dixon is presently Deputy Local Controller/Rescue Officer, and an accredited rescue operator with the State Rescue Board of NSW. “It is empowering to have the skills to assist someone in their time of need,” Ms Dixon said. “I am just one of many who make a difference to people’s lives. And it is a privilege to be a part of making that difference, no matter how small my part may be. I love what I do.” The Honour Roll citation notes Ms Dixon has attended many rescues and spends approximately 20 hours per week training and responding to rescues and other emergencies such as storms and floods. She is a trainer and assessor of other SES members for road crashes and vertical rescues, and has been a member of several SES teams in national rescue competitions.

A two-day conference to start on Wednesday 16 November at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will look at the transformation of university education in recent years, and how to develop a culture of collaboration, integration and sustainability. The conference, titled Transforming University Education: Developing a culture of collaboration, integration and sustainability will include a panel discussion of CSU students, graduates and industry representatives who receive the fruits of CSU education, moderated by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, and small group discussions and lectures for the 190 participants from all CSU campuses from Dubbo to Albury. Participants can also take part in a tour of CSU’s award-winning environmentally sensitive site at Thurgoona. Keynote speakers for the conference include vocational education Professor Steven Billett from Griffith University and educational researcher Dr Maggie Hutchings from Bournemouth University, UK. The conference will be held in the Learning and Teaching Hub, CSU in Albury-Wodonga, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

A new online resource for early childhood teachers in rural and remote areas will be presented to the Mayor of Dubbo, Councillor Mathew Dickerson, this Thursday 8 December. Known as teacher-ec, the resource was recently launched as part of the Early Childhood Education Workforce Capacity Project (ECEWC). Teacher-ec kits aim to make a valuable contribution to the education of new teachers. Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer, Dr Alison Lord, managed the ECEWC project that developed these online resources in line with the federal government’s commitment to ensure every child in Australia has access to quality childcare. “The response to the kits has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Dr Lord. “The kits have given regional and remote educators additional tools to support their continued studies while we have also had several enquiries from metropolitan areas who are interested in using the resources.”

 

In response to the needs of graduates, Charles Sturt University (CSU) has moved its graduation ceremonies to the December of the year that students finish their studies. CSU in Albury-Wodonga will hold its graduation ceremonies on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December. Head of Campus at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Ms Sue Moloney, said, “Exit surveys of students indicated that they preferred to graduate the year they finished study, rather than return six months later when the majority have moved away to begin their careers - making it expensive or impractical to travel to Albury-Wodonga to celebrate. We are expecting nearly 800 graduates to cross the stage during three ceremonies, bringing with them up to 1 800 visitors to Albury-Wodonga, which again provides a welcome boost to the local economy.” These ceremonies will be held at Trinity College at Thurgoona.

With an audience of 250 students from universities across Australia and New Zealand, the new Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Professor Andrew Vann will attend a pharmacy conference opening in Wagga Wagga as one of his first official duties in the new role. The University is hosting the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) Congress 2012 from Sunday 22 January to Saturday 28 January, a first for regional Australia. Planning for the event stems back to 2010 when the University’s student club, Pharmers' Society won a bid to host the Congress. The Congress will be attended by students and recent graduates from pharmacy programs at universities in Australia and New Zealand. The opening will take place from 9am to 11am on Monday 23 January at Joyes Hall at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Read more about NAPSA Congress 2012 on CSU News here. Read more pharmacy news on CSU News here.