Students studying history at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be given an expert guided tour of the historic 'first settlement' precinct of Bathurst on Thursday 21 May. PhD researcher and lecturer in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mr Sam Malloy, said the excursion ideally suits the subject's learning objectives which concentrate on the social and political influences of Australian history from 1788 to 1901. "With 2015 marking the 200th anniversary of Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaiming the site of Bathurst, this excursion will form a valuable 'public history' aspect to the students' studies," Mr Malloy said. "I hope other history classes, including primary to secondary schools, will take advantage of this new opportunity to explore one of Australia's most historic sites." The tour will be led by historian and adjunct senior lecturer in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr Robin McLachlan, who has been instrumental in highlighting the historical significance of Bathurst's 'settlement site'. He has researched and written interpretative panels and an illustrated guidebook, From Flag Staff to Town Square, which focuses on the history of the site during its period of colonial settlement. Dr McLachlan, said, "Sam's class outing is demonstrating how the settlement site, with its interpretation signage and other features, such as the exhibit of maps and pictures in the Bathurst City Community Club, together with the Flag Staff, is now akin to an open air museum, or perhaps an outdoor history classroom."