‘Dangerous Journalism’ explored at CSU conference

The three-day 40^th anniversary conference of the Journalism, Education and Research Association of Australia (JERAA) starts at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst today.

One of the conference organisers, Dr Margaret Van Heekeren, senior lecturer in journalism in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, said she expects more than 80 journalists, and journalism educators and researchers to attend to explore the timely theme, 'Dangerous Journalism'.

"We are delighted that the School of Communication and Creative Industries could host this 40^th anniversary annual conference of the Journalism, Education and Research Association of Australia (JERAA)," Dr Van Heekeren said.

"The conference will also recognise the inaugural panel of educators, some from our predecessor institution, Mitchell College of Advanced Education (MCAE), who in 1975 helped to form what has become Australia's journalism, education and research association."

The Guardian's Middle East correspondent Mr Martin Chulov is also flying in from his base in Beirut to address the conference. There will also be a special presentation at 2pm Wednesday 2 December by celebrated Sydney Morning Herald economics journalist Mr Ross Gittins who will speak from his recent memoir, Ross Gittins, Life Among Budgets, Bulldust and Bastardry, in which he will outline an economic model for contemporary and future journalism.

Men get tested

The importance of early detection to ensure men live longer and healthier lives will be highlighted by staff and students in the podiatric medicine program at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Monday 30 November.

The message of early detection for men is being endorsed by the University's Associate Professor Paul Tinley, clinical educator Mr Brent Smith and 4^th year Bachelor of Podiatry student Mr Matthew Bence.

At CSU's Community Engagement and Wellness Centre from 11am, the trio will push the men's health message during a 'shave off' of their moustaches grown over the last month as part of the Movember campaign.

The annual global campaign highlights prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and physical inactivity. 

Associate Professor Tinley said, "It's important men talk about their health and their concerns with their health practitioners. 

'"Men's futures will be much brighter if there is early detection of cancers like prostate cancer with a blood test. Men get tested.  

"As health professionals, podiatrists see a lot of older men with foot health problems. We often see patients for 30 minute appointments and therefore can share valuable information and support their needs.

"We are educating podiatrists to have the skills in a whole range of health concerns including diabetes, cancer, and men's and women's health issues."

The Community Engagement and Wellness Centre is a valuable addition to the Albury Wodonga community with podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy students learning through working in real life clinics. 

The clinics are open to the public. For appointments, telephone (02) 6051 9299.

Wagga Hack 4 Good to support youth

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is lending its expertise to a community-based project to help young people in Wagga Wagga develop networking and life skills to improve employment outcomes.

The inaugural Wagga Wagga Hack4Good will be held at CSU in Wagga Wagga from Friday 27 November.

As part of national 'Social Inclusion Week' CSU is joining forces with Wagga City Council, Intersect Australia and Murrumbidgee Family and Community Services, with support from others in the community.

The aim is to encourage young people to use technology to make it easier for them to connect with individuals and networks within in the local community that can provide them with the support and assistance they need.  

The event begins with a Student 'Hack Experience' on Friday 27 November, where more than 30 high school and TAFE students will be mentored on the basics of app design.

The main event will be held from 9am on Saturday through to 1pm on Sunday. The public is also invited to a community technology fair featuring tutorials on social media, coding and app design.

CSU is proud to support this project as part of its community engagement program providing contributions such as the venue, on-site IT support and expertise in app design.

Executive Dean of the CSU Faculty of Science Professor Tim Wess said, "The project is about self-help and community.

"Charles Sturt University is delighted to work with the government and the community sector for the social good.

"It is this type of innovative community project which is essential in building strong, connected and sustainable local communities. 

"It is part of the University's commitment to work with its communities to promote regional development and deliver mutually beneficial outcomes. In this case, increasing the engagement of disadvantaged young people."Follow the Wagga Wagga Hack4Good conversation on Twitter at @WaggaWaggaHack and using the hashtag WWHackathon

CSU Indigenous staff conference in Bathurst this week

The annual conference for Indigenous staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) starts today in Bathurst.

Held annually, the two-day 2015 Nguluway conference brings together Indigenous staff for professional development, to meet other staff for the first time, to form professional networks, and to become familiar with a different CSU campus.

The Indigenous employment coordinator in the CSU Division of Human Resources Ms Catherine Maxwell said that CSU was a national leader in university Indigenous employment.

"The 2015 Nguluway conference is particularly significant as it celebrates 10 years since the first Indigenous Australian Employment Strategy was implemented at the University in 2005. Since then the number of Indigenous staff at Charles Sturt University has increased from 0.9 per cent to 2.64 per cent. This is well above the national average of 1.1 per cent."

There are the equivalent of 54 Indigenous staff across the University in roles in administration, library services, human resources, technical (computing and labs), student liaison, and marketing, as well as academic and research roles in all Faculties.

CSU also has 898 active Indigenous Australian students which is 2.8 per cent of enrolled students and is one of the highest proportions of Indigenous students at any Australian university.

CSU research contextualises Chinese art exhibition

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student's research provides the historical context for a contemporary art exhibition which opens at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery on Friday 27 November.

Ms Juanita Kwok (pictured), a PhD student in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, is researching the history of the Chinese in the Bathurst region. She was invited to contribute to the exhibition which commemorates the NSW Central West region's early Chinese migrant history.

"My research explores and celebrates the long history of Chinese settlement in and around Bathurst," Ms Kwok said. "I was delighted and honoured to be asked to write the 1 500-word essay for the exhibition catalogue to provide the historical context for the work of the four contemporary artists whose work will be displayed."

The exhibition, From Old Ground: Jess Bradford, Jason Phu, Ren Hang, and Louise Zhang, is curated by Ms Joanna Bayndrian, and gives space to the little-known histories of Chinese communities in regional NSW. It coincides with the 2015 bicentenary celebrations of the colonial settlement of Bathurst, and is a Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Bicentennial Project.

"The artists have produced specially commissioned work spanning ink painting, installation, video, and photography," Ms Kwok said. "Each of the artists was invited to respond to traces of Chinese migration in and around Bathurst in the mid- to late-19th century, and all have engaged with the fragmented narratives and silent monuments of this important chapter in Bathurst's social, cultural and economic history."

CSU long service awards to be presented in Bathurst

Long-serving staff members at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be presented with service medallions at a ceremony on Monday 23 November.

CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann will present the medallions to two staff members who have worked at the University for 40 years, one staff member who has worked at the University for 30 years, and to four staff members who have worked at the University for 20 years. Two others are unable to attend.

Recipients for 40 years service include Mrs Val Moore and Ms Sue Morgan.

The recipient for 30 years service is Ms Julie Clulow.

Recipients for 20 years service include Mr Timothy Brown, Ms Carol Downing, Mr Jason Poposki, Mr Noel Witney, Mrs Liz Smith, and Mrs Pauline Graf.

The Recognition of Service Medallion Presentation Ceremony is at 10am Monday 23 November in the Council Room, The Grange Chancellery (building 1205), at CSU in Bathurst.

Recycling plastic shopping bags into building materials

Plastic bags are being given an innovative lease of life at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga as part of a new recycling initiative.

CSU Green, the university's sustainability unit, and Kurrajong Recyclers are working together to turn lightweight plastics, such as wrap, films and bags, into building materials.

New bins have been placed in CSU's National Life Science Hub (NaLSH) as a collection point for the lightweight plastics.

CSU Energy Manager Mr Chris O'Connor said, "The NaLSH generates significant quantities of lightweight plastic throughout the year as it is used in packaging to keep laboratory items sterile."

Kurrajong Recyclers is able to process the lightweight plastics and bale the material into one-tonne blocks. The blocks are then sent for shredding and washing, and finally turned into pellets ready for remanufacturing into new products.

The low-grade material is then sent to local manufacturers to make materials such as posts, rails or bollards.

"The recycled products have even been returned to Charles Sturt University for use at the Veterinary Clinical Centre in Wagga Wagga," Mr O'Connor said.

"Technical Officer from the Faculty of Science Ms Therese Moon came up with the idea to recycle the large amount of lightweight plastic waste in the NaLSH."

In the first three months of the new program, seven large bags of materials have been sent for recycling. It's hoped the scheme will be expanded in 2016.

CSU has a target of achieving a 70 per cent diversion in waste going to landfill.

Academic integrity scrutinized in Albury this week

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga is hosting the 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Educational Integrity (7APCEI) from Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 November, in collaboration with La Trobe University, Wodonga.

Conference co-convenor and senior lecturer in the CSU School of Psychology Dr Judith Gullifer (pictured) said the conference theme and focus is 'Crossing the borders: new frontiers for academic integrity'.

"Universities are alert to the potential for cheating by contemporary students following recent publicity about students paying online services to provide university assignments," Dr Gullifer said.

"Academic integrity is vitally important, and policies and practices are under increasing pressure to keep up with new technologies. There has been an explosion of opportunists working in the online cheating industry, while at the same time there are shifts in understanding in today's society about plagiarism, copying, and appropriation.

"The broader educational integrity of universities is itself being scrutinized. This has been particularly highlighted in recent reports regarding the recruitment of international students and the exploitation of sessional teaching staff."

For more information please go to www.7apcei.com or enquire to contact@7apcei.com

Small schools at CSU for annual sports day

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host the annual regional Small School's Gala Sports Day in Bathurst on Friday 13 November.

The Small School's Gala Sports Day is an independent initiative of small primary schools in the NSW central west which is supported by CSU to provide the opportunity for students to meet and compete in a range of sporting activities.

Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid will welcome approximately 180 students from regional primary schools in Perthville, Sofala, Wattle Flat, O'Connell, Meadow Flat, Burraga, Black Springs, Hampton, and Rockley.

"It is great to have the students from the wider Bathurst regional community come to the campus and use the University's fantastic facilities," Professor Reid said. "This is always such a fun day and a fun way to bring all these students together for a day of friendly competition. They also gain a sense of what it means to have a great University in their home region."

CSU will provide a range of facilities as host of the Gala Sports Day. Students will use a lecture theatre for assembly, three sporting fields, netball and tennis courts. The Community-University Partnerships' (CUP) 'Healthy, Active, Sporting Regions program' is funding a barbeque lunch, and all children will be given a reusable CSU water bottle to keep.

 Professor Reid will welcome the students and their teachers to the campus at the assembly in room 223, building 1292, at CSU in Bathurst at 10am Friday 13 November.

Australian Association of Gerontology launches rural chapter

Twenty-one years of gerontology education for health care practitioners at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be celebrated when the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) launches its Albury-Wodonga chapter next week.

The free event at La Trobe University in Wodonga on Wednesday 11 November will feature presentations from a leading international researcher and showcase local initiatives. Local people interested in ageing are invited to attend.

CSU and La Trobe University are partnering the AAG for the launch of the rural chapter and invite new members.

AAG is Australia's national body promoting research and education in ageing. It links professionals working across the multidisciplinary fields of ageing and connects them with each other and with members of the community to help them collaborate and exchange information on ageing.

Lecturer in gerontology at CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences Ms Robin Harvey said, "We invite everybody involved in aged care locally, and those interested in ageing research, to come along, bring their experience and join the conversation about building age-friendly rural communities in the Border region and around the world."

Professor Mark Skinner, founding Director of the Trent Centre for Ageing and Society at Trent University in Canada, will deliver the keynote address titled 'Voluntarism and age-friendly rural communities'.

Professor Skinner's research focuses on the importance of volunteers in building age-friendly communities. He will report on research undertaken in Canada, Ireland and locally in north-east Victoria in conjunction with researchers from the John Richards Initiative (JRI) at La Trobe University.

Chair of Rural Aged Care Research at JRI Professor Jeni Warburton said, "This event is a great opportunity to showcase research conducted locally, and to reflect on the similarities and differences between other countries and rural north-east Victoria."