Wellness and Wellbeing Expo at CSU in Port Macquarie

In conjunction with Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Foundation Day, the 2016 Wellness and Wellbeing Expo will be held in Port Macquarie on Wednesday 20 July.

The Expo is part of CSU's holistic approach to workplace health and safety. Similar events have been held across the University.

Staff and students will have the chance to obtain information on numerous health and wellbeing services available to them at the University and in the local community, as well as attend workshops on yoga or Zumba.

Foundation Day is also a University-wide event to celebrate its past, present and future. At Port Macquarie, there will be a Wear Red, Go Red, Eat Red Day from 10am to 2.30pm in the courtyard.

Further information about Foundation Day is available in CSU News here. More information about the 2016 Wellness and Wellbeing Expo is available here.

Foot health and mobility focus for National Diabetes Week

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students are tackling some major issues for diabetics - foot health and mobility - head on at Albury-Wodonga.

As part of their podiatry and physiotherapy degrees with the School of Community Health, CSU in Albury-Wodonga students provide clinical and preventative advice to clients of all ages, including people suffering the debilitating effects of diabetes.

"National Diabetes Week highlights the needs of the many people who suffer with diabetes," said Mr Brent Smith, clinical educator with the University's Community Engagement and Wellbeing Centre, or CEW.

Diabetes causes substantial damage to feet through poor blood circulation and damaged nerves, as well as mobility problems with increased weight caused by reduced kidney function. At its extreme, complications can lead to limb amputation.

"At the CEW, the podiatry students are supervised by experienced professional staff to provide clinical care for diabetic clients, as well as comprehensive diabetes screening and preventative education services," Mr Smith said.

"In addition, physiotherapy students help people with diabetes and musculoskeletal issues to remain active and mobile, keep good health and reduce related health problems.

"Importantly, the CEW provides services that benefit the students as well as clients, who are helping train the next generation of health professionals who will be vital in treating this disease as the incidence of diabetes continues to rise in Australia and worldwide."

The CEW now also provides speech pathology clinics and services to the residents of Albury-Wodonga. To book an appointment, call the CEW on (02) 6051 9299.

Frogs lure trainee biologist from PNG

Expertise in frogs and managing frog diseases has brought Ms Dillian Nason from Papua New Guinea (PNG) to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga.

The biologist, who is an intern with PNG's Institute for Biological Research, is learning methods to help her identify new species of frogs from the New Guinean 'cloud' forests.

These methods will also allow her to diagnose the deadly chytrid fungus disease, which is the greatest threat to cold-climate frogs worldwide.

Dr Andrew Peters, from the CSU School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, said PNG is one of the most biodiverse places in the world and depends heavily on local agriculture and wildlife for food, culture and tourism.

"PNG is home to seven million people who are heavily dependent on agriculture and wildlife, but its capacities to investigate and manage animal health is among the lowest of any country," Dr Peters said.

"To address this shortage, the School has now trained nine PNG scientists in animal health, including Ms Nason, in addition to educating one of PNG's first female veterinary students."

Ms Nason is currently completing an Honours degree in Biology with PNG's University of Goroka.

2016 BATS season at CSU in Bathurst

The Bathurst Arts and Theatrical Society (BATS) will present a winter season of performances at the Ponton Theatre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in mid July.

BATS consists of 41 mostly second- and third-year CSU students studying the Bachelor of Communication (Theatre Media) at the School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst.

Marketing and publicity coordinator for BATS Ms Jana Vass said, "The ten dollar a ticket three-in-one BATS Winter 2016 program consists of two short plays (Love and Information, and Mr Melancholy), and a short film (Filioque). This is value for money.

"BATS is open to students from various degrees and we encourage everyone from different disciplines to be creatively involved with positions in the individual production companies."

Love and Information is written by famous playwright Ms Caryl Churchill and is directed by Ms Sacha Slip. It is about finding love and connection in the age of information, and the influence these two things have on modern life. This is an 'open text', free of specific characters and stage directions, told in a series of vignettes that allow insight into the lives of strangers.

Mr Melancholy is directed by Mr Hudson Emery and explores solitude and sorrow through innocence and silliness. It is written by Mr Matt Cameron and is set at a broken lighthouse on a beach where three hermits, Enzo, Margot and Ollie, have their lives changed when Dolores, a run-away clown who desires to be taken seriously, washes up on shore. The production design and performances present a surreal parable of solitude and sorrow that explores the human condition through laughter, disputes and tears.

Filioque is a short film written by Mr Jack Bowden and directed by Mr Jordan Russell, both second-year theatre media students, which presents a humorous examination of religion. It is a black comedy about a priest and the devil arguing about religion and life after death.

The three-in-one program starts at 7pm on Thursday 14 July and runs for three nights finishing on Saturday 16 July at the Ponton Theatre (building 1434) at CSU in Bathurst.

Tickets are $10 each for all three productions, and can be pre-purchased through TryBooking, or can be purchased at the door.

Bathurst exhibition for CSU artist

Art by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff member developed during her participation in a Hill End artist-in-residence program will be exhibited in Bathurst during the coming six weeks.

The work of Ms Ruth Stone, a School Outreach Officer in the Office for Students based at CSU in Orange, will feature in The Space Between exhibition at the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) during July and August.

Ms Stone said, "The BRAG Hill End Artist-in-Residence program is a testament to the vibrancy of regional Australia which Charles Sturt University champions so steadfastly.

"During my Hill End residency in 2014, I investigated the layers of history and the marks of time in this ghostly village in an effort to understand the myth and phenomenology of the history of its settlement.

"This collection of artwork represents a shift in my practice from abstract landscape painting to figurative works where spectral apparitions float in a space between night and day, sound and silence, earth and sky."

The Space Between exhibition runs from Friday 1 July to Sunday 14 August at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Keppel Street, Bathurst. The official exhibition opening is at 6pm Friday 8 July.

Child-safe, child-friendly conference at CSU in Bathurst

Advancing child safety and child-friendly initiatives is the focus of a conference being held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 28 June.

The Bathurst Child and Family Network (BCFN) is hosting the 'Working to build child-safe, child-friendly communities' one-day conference to promote child protection initiatives within the Bathurst region thanks to local network development funding from the Department of Family and Community Services.

Nationally recognised speakers Mr Brian Babbington, the CEO of Families Australia, and Mr Andrew MacCallum, CEO of the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies, will address the conference.

The BCFN has been awarded a CSU Community-University Partnership (CUP) grant under the Rural and Regional Community Initiated Research Program, to evaluate the initiative.

Dr Sandie Wong (pictured), senior lecturer in CSU's School of Teacher Education and researcher at the Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE), said, "We're very pleased to be able to be part of such an important local initiative that puts children's rights first. Charles Sturt University academics will attend the conference, and Dr Tamara Cumming and I will undertake the project evaluation titled, 'Impact measurement: evaluation of the impact of Building a child-safe, child-friendly community initiative in Bathurst'."

Ms Annette Meyers, facilitator of the Bathurst Early Learning Support (BELS) and chairperson of BCFN, said, "We believe that 'it takes a village to raise a child' and our vision is for all children and families to be happy, healthy, safe and thrive in Bathurst. We have a genuine desire to provide opportunities for children, young people and families to be heard and taken seriously."

Conference participants will include senior managers, principals, directors and board members of relevant organisations.

Young voices on regional planning

High school students from the Riverina will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Monday 27 June for a youth forum on developing a long-term vision for the region.

Organised by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and CSU, the forum will focus on the draft Riverina-Murray Regional Plan which outlines a 20-year vision.

The Plan is on public exhibition until Thursday 21 July and outlines goals for the economy, transport, planning and the environment.

During the forum in the CSU Convention Centre, local students from years 11 and 12 will be asked what think about the Riverina-Murray region and their top five priorities for its development.

Head of CSU in Wagga Wagga Ms Miriam Dayhew will open the forum at 10am.

Feedback from the students will be considered when preparing the final Riverina-Murray Regional Plan.

CSU scholarship presentation ceremonies across central west

The 2016 scholarship ceremonies at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo will honour the memory and generosity of two passionate advocates for regional higher education.

The annual ceremonies celebrate the academic achievements and endeavours of current students enrolled in arts, business, education, and science courses at CSU.

This year the events have special significance as CSU Foundation Trust welcomes the receipt of a bequest of over $3 million from Carole and Stan Droder. They will be joined by other local businesses and organisations in presenting scholarships to deserving students to assist them in their studies.

The ceremonies will be held at CSU in Dubbo at 6pm Tuesday 24 May; at CSU in Orange at 10am Wednesday 25 May; and at CSU in Bathurst at 11.30am Friday 27 May.

CSU Foundation administers over 300 scholarships annually, and in 2016 more than $1.2 million in scholarships will be awarded across all CSU campuses to help students reach their full potential.

The Foundation recognises that by giving rural and regional students in Australia fair access to higher education, CSU can develop professionals who have experience in regional areas and further afield, which will help them to maintain and develop healthy local economies and vibrant communities.

‘Word wizardry and verbal magic’ at HSC English Study Day

Over 600 high school students and teachers from across the Riverina region will attend the annual HSC English Study Day at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 24 June.

Mr David Gilbey (pictured), adjunct senior lecturer in English in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the coordinator of the HSC English Study Day, said 40 lectures, workshops, and discussion panels will be presented on texts and topics being studied by Standard and Advanced English students for the 2016 HSC.

"The day's focus will include poetry, prose, drama, film, techniques, writing skills, and exam tips – from William Shakespeare and Henry Lawson to contemporary Indigenous and multicultural perspectives," Mr Gilbey said.

"For students it is an opportunity to get another perspective on the work they're concentrating on for the HSC, and for teachers it's a professional development occasion.

"English teachers and academics are such word wizards, I hope the day will shine with verbal magic," he said.

The sessions will run from 9.30am to 2.20pm and will be presented mostly by teachers of English from regional high schools and academics from CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Students and teachers will come from as far as Tumut, Yass, Yanco, Leeton, Junee, Culcairn, Gundagai and Temora, as well as from Wagga and surrounds.

The HSC English Study Day is organised by the Wagga Wagga Branch of the English Teachers Association, in association with CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Booranga Writers' Centre.

Vigils in Bathurst and Wagga Wagga for Orlando shooting victims

Candlelight vigils will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst and in central Wagga Wagga later today, Thursday 16 June to remember the victims of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando in the USA.

In the first event at 5pm on the CSU library lawn in Bathurst, the CSU student club, the Queer Collective, will host the vigil. From 7pm in Wagga Wagga's Victory Memorial Gardens, members of the University student club, Momentum have joined with Wagga Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) to host another vigil.

Members of the local communities are invited to attend both events to show their support and respect for the Orlando victims and show solidarity with the LGBTIQA community.

People are asked to bring a candle.