Students explore tangible consumer history in Bathurst

History students studying 20th century popular culture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst gained tangible insights at a local retailer this week. Well-known Bathurst museum curator and sessional lecturer in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mr Sam Malloy, took his first-year history students to visit The Naked Bud collectables and memorabilia outlet in Keppel Street, Bathurst, on Thursday 8 October. Here, the students were able to explore a range of consumer products created a generation before they were born. "The class is mainly first-year teacher education, communication, and arts students studying the subject The Short 20th Century (Two) which covers the Cold War period from 1945 to 1991," Mr Malloy explained. "The teaching unit this week is 'Popular culture and the rise of punk rock in the 1970s'. It taps into an ongoing debate about the roots and popularity of punk rock against the social and political behaviour of the day. At The Naked Bud we looked at a range of original objects and magazines representing popular culture – that is, mass consumerism; household products; advertising and media - from the 1950s to 1980s. We also examined Punk Music of the 1970s, mainly American and British performers, through looking at original vinyl record albums - and in some cases, playing records on an original 1970s record player. That was a 'first' for most of the students." Mr Malloy said this was the first time that CSU history students have visited The Naked Bud, which is owned and managed by Mr Dave Curry and Mr Michael Hope. "It houses a perfect collection from the Popular Culture era, and we greatly appreciate the experience that The Naked Bud has given to the students through forms of tangible history."

CSU students focus on national disability scheme

Charles Sturt University (CSU) speech pathology students are holding a workshop in Albury on Wednesday 7 October to shed some light on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The four Bachelor of Health Science (Speech Pathology) students from the School of Community Health in Albury-Wodonga have organised the workshop for people who have a family member with a disability and the wider community. "We chose the National Disability Insurance Scheme due to families in our work placement environments not having an understanding of what the new Scheme is and how it would influence them," CSU student Ms Tayla Watson said. "We felt it was important to educate those who would be accessing the Scheme in the future, so they feel more confident about what is to come." The workshop will cover what the NDIS is, how it works, identifying someone's needs and the importance of advocacy. It will be held from 5:30 pm on Wednesday 7 October at the Albury Community Health Centre, 596 Smollet Street in Albury.

Students appreciating rural Australia

Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics specialising in paramedics and rural mental health will be among the guest speakers at the Rural Appreciation Weekend 2015 (RAW15) on the October long week-end near Wagga Wagga.

The week-end is being organised by the Rural Allied Health and Medical Students (RAHMS) Club from University of NSW (UNSW). RAW15 has attracted over 150 allied health, nursing and medical university students from UNSW, CSU, the University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University. It is the first time, CSU allied health and nursing students will join their peers for the annual event.

RAW15 is being held in the village of Tarcutta and is designed to expose health students to the positive aspects of rural practice and country living.

Mr Sandy MacQuarrie from CSU's School of Biomedical Sciences will address the students on Saturday 3 October while Dr Gene Hodgins from the CSU School of Psychology will run Rural Mental Health workshops.

On Sunday 4 October, a Farm and Emergency Service Day will be held on the property, Broula. The property is owned by Acting Executive Dean of the CSU Faculty of Science Associate Professor Lyn Angel and her husband Bruce Angel.

Students will rotate through activities such as a shearing demonstration, wool classing, cattle handling as well as bushfire and road crash simulations.

The Federal Member for Riverina The Hon. Michael McCormack and the State Member for Wagga The Hon. Mr Darryl Maguire and will join the university students for afternoon tea from 2.45pm on Sunday.

A Cheery Soul plays in Wagga Wagga

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will present Patrick White's A Cheery Soul at the CSU Riverina Playhouse in Wagga Wagga from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October.

This University Theatre Ensemble (UTE) production of A Cheery Soul will be performed by CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries third-year students in the Bachelor of Stage and Screen (Acting), and is designed and stage managed by students in the Bachelor of Stage and Screen (Design). It is directed by lecturer in acting Mr John Saunders.

A Cheery Soul was written in 1962 and is set in White's favourite fictional suburb of Sarsaparilla at the end of the 1950s. It is a satirical look at the mores of a so-called Christian society and chronicles the many 'good deeds' of the formidable Miss Docker.

"Miss Docker is literally, 'the do-gooder from hell', her good intentions unhitched from good sense" Mr Saunders said. "She rumbles through everyone's life on a mission to do right, without really knowing what right is. A Cheery Soul is an audaciously theatrical comedy, which flaunts a cavalcade of recognisable Australian suburban characters. They are absurd, entertaining and at times nightmarish. A Cheery Soul is the deep end of the pool for any actor and the students involved in this production have grasped the challenge with both hands. However, despite the darkness and the loneliness, the characters are richly comic, unique and at times infuriatingly funny and that's why A Cheery Soul has been such an enjoyable experience for all those involved, on-stage and off, in its creation."

A Cheery Soul opens at the CSU Riverina Playhouse at 8pm Tuesday 29 September until Saturday 3 October, with a matinee at 2pm Saturday 3 October. Tickets can be booked at the Civic Theatre Booking Office, telephone 6926 9688, or are available at the door. The University continues its policy of providing excellent value for money with tickets $25 full price, $20 for groups (5 or more), $15 concession, and $12.50 for students. CSU Staff at Concession prices. Bookings can also be made online at http://www.civictheatre.com.au

Paramedic students on the job

Paramedic students will respond to a simulated collision between a bus and a truck at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Wednesday 30 September.

The multi-casualty incident on the lawn in front of the University's Truskett Library will run from 9am to 5pm and involve 150 paramedic students.

CSU paramedic academic Ms Amanda Hlushek said, "In two-hour slots, the students will be dispatched to an explosion on a 12-passenger bus which has veered out of control into oncoming traffic and hits a truck. 

"There will be bodies scattered everywhere with injuries ranging from unconscious patients, to blast injuries. 

"The first year Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) students will work with a partner and be tasked at triaging, calling additional resources and providing care for over 15 patients in and around the vehicles.

"Students have been working on extrication, triage, and trauma treatment and now are able to put these skills to use in the multi-casualty incident."

The exercise follows a simulated car crash at CSU in Bathurst last week involving paramedic students, and representatives from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the State Emergency Service.

CSU Amazing Race boosts Daffodil Cottage in Bathurst

Staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst have raised more than $8 600 by staging the inaugural CSU Amazing Race to support local cancer support organisation Daffodil Cottage. The CSU Amazing Race was staged over two weeks from 1pm to 4pm on Wednesday 16 and Wednesday 23 September. Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid said the 2015 event has aimed to generate awareness of and funding for the building extension project of the Daffodil Cottage cancer support unit. "Our ongoing aim is to raise over $5 000 dollars each year for a project that will benefit the Bathurst community, as well as link and engage the spirit of the University community," Professor Reid said. "Well done to all the teams and their supporters who took part and contributed their good will, good humour and good competitive spirit to make the inaugural CSU Amazing Race such a great success. My particular thanks go to the organising team, our student interns, and our wonderful student web developer, Todd McIntosh. It is great to see the community spirit that has extended across the whole campus, involving both students and staff." Professor Reid said by the end of counting at 3pm on Wednesday $5 644 had been raised by registered donations, plus an additional $540 was collected in the Daffodil Cottage buckets. "It is an 'amazing' anonymous donation of $2 500 that has brought the total to $8 684," Professor Reid said. "The University is particularly grateful to this donor, whose generosity gave us the initial incentive and then spurred us on with the promise of the matching funding. People can still donate to this worthy cause via the Amazing Race website at www.csuamazingrace.com.au, until next Monday morning 28 September." The Creative Comm-rades team topped the leader board at the end of the Race by raising $1 033 in donations, closely followed by Crouching Frog, Hidden Librarians which raised $1 007. The Challenge Race winning team was the Terrific Teachers, with the Crouching Frog, Hidden Librarians as runners-up.

Seminar on technology to improve diabetes treatment

Current and emerging technologies used to predict glucose levels will be discussed at a public seminar hosted by Charles Sturt University's (CSU) School of Computing and Mathematics on Monday 28 September. 'Prediction of Glucose Levels in Patients with Diabetes' will be presented by Professor Sanjoy Paul, Head of the Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Unit (CTBU) at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. The seminar will be held at CSU in Bathurst and streamed by video conference in Albury-Wodonga, Orange and Wagga Wagga. The seminar is free and open to the public. For more information contact CSU Senior Lecturer Dr Manoranjan Paul at mpaul@csu.edu.au

New Head of Campus for CSU in Albury-Wodonga

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga has a new Head of Campus. The appointment of Ms Julie Cleary (pictured) as head of Campus was announced by Ms Linda Breen, the acting University Secretary and Director of Corporate Affairs, and acting Director, Government and Community Relations. Ms Breen said, "Julie holds a senior position with Charles Sturt University, as Manager, Innovation and Capability, in the Division of Student Administration. She is an accomplished member of the University and its Albury-Wodonga community. Julie's considerable experience, skills, and networks will benefit the University in extending and developing its relationship with the Albury-Wodonga region." Ms Cleary joined the University in 2002, and has held a range of positions, including a secondment as Deputy University Secretary, and Manager of the CSU Office of Corporate Affairs. Prior to joining CSU she was Personal and Diary Secretary to Mr Tim Fischer, MP, and held teaching and administrative roles with Albury-Wodonga Continuing Education Centre (1999) and Riverina TAFE (1996-1999). "I am delighted to take on the role of Head of campus at Charles Sturt University in Albury-Wodonga," Ms Cleary said. "I look forward to working with the University's students and staff to contribute to a stronger region by strengthening relationships with our Albury-Wodonga community." Ms Breen and Ms Cleary acknowledged the excellent contribution of outgoing Head of Campus Professor Julia Coyle and thanked her for her dedication to advancing relations between the University and the Albury-Wodonga region, including the development of the University's presence in Wangaratta.

Multicultural NSW to visit CSU

The state government's Multicultural NSW Advisory Board will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 24 September as part of a trip to the city to attend a community forum.

Seven members of the Board, including Multicultural NSW Chief Executive Officer Mr Hakan Harman, will tour CSU's National Life Sciences Hub from 1.10pm to 1.40pm.

They will then meet five of the University's PhD students who are expected to discuss their research with the Board members and their experiences of studying in regional Australia.

Among the students will be Ms Saba Nabi, who won the Higher Education category of the NSW International Student Awards in 2014. She and her husband Mr Syed Haris Omar moved from New Delhi to Wagga Wagga with their young family to undertake their PhDs.

Ms Saba was recently elected to the Board of the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga. In July, the postgraduate student was elected as the equity officer for the Council of International Students Australia.

The state Multicultural Advisory Board Advisory Board will later attend a Mayoral reception hosted by Councillor Rod Kendall, Community Forum, Working Together in Wagga Wagga.

Simulated car crash for paramedic training

Charles Sturt University (CSU) paramedic students will gain an insight into the rescue and treatment of patients involved in a car crash during a simulation exercise on Tuesday 22 September. The simulation at CSU in Bathurst will also involve representatives from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the State Emergency Service (SES). Associate lecturer Ms Amanda Hlushak from CSU's School of Biomedical Sciences said motor vehicle accidents are often a daily occurrence in the job of a paramedic. "Bringing together multiple agencies to participate in a large scale simulation, such as a this motor vehicle simulation, means that students can see first-hand how these services work together and the important role they play in motor vehicle accidents," she said. "This is invaluable for students to see before they experience it in their work placements." Some first year students, along with peer tutors, will participate in the simulation exercise while another 150 students are expected to observe.