A theatre-for-young-people production by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students has begun a week-long tour starting on Monday 4 June that will deliver nine performances to students at 10 Central West schools. The theatre/media students from the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst are touring their new production Lost and Found to schools in Bathurst, Trunkey Creek, Rockley, Cullen Bullen, Mandurama, Manildra, Mullion Creek and Dubbo. CSU lecturer and co-director of the show, Mr Daniel Aubin said, “Lost and Found uses physical theatre, story-telling, circus and music to engage, amuse and amaze. With themes surrounding memory, relationships, family, communication and health, Lost and Found has a lesson for every child. We aim to entertain, educate and strengthen the relationship between the University and Central West schools. It’s been a pleasure working with this talented cast to investigate the themes and different methods of theatre-making.”

Approximately 800 high school students from across the Riverina are due at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 15 June for the annual HSC English Study Day. Thirty-five lectures, workshops and discussion panels are being planned on texts and topics being studied by the Standard and Advanced English students. The sessions, which will run from 9.30am to 2.20pm, will be presented mostly by English teachers from regional high schools and academics from CSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. “There is always a buzz of excitement and fun to the HSC English Study Day. The students are grateful to get another perspective on the work they’re concentrating on for the HSC. For the teachers and trainee teachers, it’s a professional development occasion,” said HSC English Study Day coordinator Mr David Gilbey from the University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The HSC English Study Day is being organised by the Wagga Wagga Branch of the English Teachers Association in association with Booranga Writers’ Centre at CSU.

The 2012 Higher School Certificate (HSC) Seminar Day for Year 12 students from high schools across the NSW central west will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 19 June. Ms Kerry Browning, manager of the CSU Contact Centre which provides information and advice to prospective students, said organisers estimate about 300 students will attend the day to gain information relevant to their HSC exams. “The students will attend separate seminars and lectures on a variety of HSC topics provided by experienced HSC teachers, and the day will provide a positive experience of life at university,” Ms Browning said. The HSC Study Day is an initiative of secondary teachers with the NSW Department of Education and Communities in the region, and is sponsored by CSU. Coordinators for the event are Denison College Head Teachers Mr Jim Browning (Bathurst High Campus) and Ms Wendy Murphy (Kelso High Campus).

As part of its expanded regional training program, the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) will be at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 15 June to offer an intensive one-day screenwriting course. Playwright and AFTRS screenwriting lecturer Dr Carl Caulfield will present the course using clips and scripts from well-known classic and modern era films – from Citizen Kane, to Slumdog Millionaire and The King’s Speech - to guide participants through the processes, techniques and tools used to tell a compelling story. AFTRS OPEN Regional Manager Mr Martin Corben said, “Screenwriting Part One is just the beginning for those wanting to develop their film skills as this course explores not only the ‘story’ but the importance of its structure, how to build scenes, suspense and captivating characters. The AFTRS course is supported by Eastern Riverina Arts and the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU. The course runs from 9am to 5pm in the theatrette, building 21, School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

A first year accounting student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has made it to the finals of a national marketing competition to promote the computer technology known as Kinect. Based on an assignment for the subject Marketing and Society, Mr Will Gummer from Junee entered the Microsoft Protégé Challenge, which is open to undergraduate students in Australia. The challenge involves the marketing of the Kinect application for use outside the gaming industry such as in health or education. Mr Gummer recently made it through to the competition’s semi finals with a 10 minute presentation via video-conference. “I did my proposal on the Virtual Distance Learning Classroom, which is a Kinect application designed for distance education students. It puts both the lecturer and students into a virtual classroom where they can see their 3D images. These avatars can raise their hand if they have a question and can also use computer-simulated visual cues,” said Mr Gummer. Marketing lecturer Ms Elizabeth Dunlop said, “This is an outstanding achievement for a first year student to make it though to the finals of the national competition. Will should be congratulated for taking on this ‘real-life’ marketing challenge during one of his early subjects for his degree.”

An expert panel that includes a Charles Sturt University (CSU) specialist in agricultural extension and training will discuss the future of family farming at a public forum to be held in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 20 June. The forum, Has the Family Farm a Future?, will provide an opportunity for family farmers to come together and share their views about the future. The forum will be hosted by ABC Riverina’s Ms Anne Delaney. CSU history and politics lecturer and the event’s co-organiser, Dr Troy Whitford, said that with 90 per cent of Australian farms owned and operated by families, it was of national importance to keep the next generation of farmers on the land. “At present, many of our young people are leaving the farm in pursuit of more lucrative employment, particularly in mining. We hope this forum will highlight the need to assist family farms maintain their business,” Dr Whitford said. The forum will start at 7pm on Wednesday 20 June at the Wagga Wagga RSL Club, Dobbs Street, Wagga Wagga.

About 90 Year 11 and 12 students from 44 high schools across the region, and from as far away as Nyngan, Albury and Campbelltown, will attend a MyDay at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 19 June to learn about future study options in psychology, policing, and justice studies. CSU prospective student adviser Ms Fran Dwyer said, “We’re delighted to have such a positive response from so many schools from around the state. It demonstrates strong interest in these important disciplines, and highlights the high regard for courses at Charles Sturt University”.