A re-worked version of The Bacchae by ancient Greek playwright Euripides will open at the Ponton Theatre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 26 May. The play has been developed and is performed by third-year theatre/media students in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, and is directed by lecturer Mr Adam Deusien. "This production of The Bacchae is a reimagining of the ancient Greek tragedy that interrogates a contemporary world obsessed with the 'self'," Mr Deusien said. "The original play deals with an ancient Greek god who feels he isn't being worshipped properly, but this relationship to the gods is a bit outdated in our increasingly secular world. What we wanted to propose is that we have replaced any sense of spirituality with a worship of self, and that we are more interested in self-promotion than self-investigation. When we are stuck in a world of all heat, but no light, what are the results?" The 80-minute long CSU production has a vibrant and exciting design that draws heavily from pop culture and fashion, and showcases many of the physical and creative talents of the theatre/media students. The Bacchae plays at the Ponton Theatre (building 1434), CSU in Bathurst, from 7pm Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May, with a 1pm matinee on Saturday.

The annual Bathurst Winter Feast at Charles Sturt University (CSU) is on Friday 19 June. Head of Campus Professor Jo-Anne Reid said the Bathurst Winter Feast is an opportunity to celebrate the food and wine of the region and highlight the skills of CSU staff. "The whole idea of a Winter Feast is attractive, and we are excited that it has grown so successfully over the past few years," Professor Reid said. "It's a great way to brighten the winter, connect with old friends and contacts, and make new ones. The food will be prepared from excellent regional and seasonal produce, and the wines are outstanding." The CSU catering team have designed a special degustation menu matched to a range of new and old Charles Sturt wines. These include the 2010 Reserve Sparkling (awarded Trophy for Best Sparkling at the 2015 Sydney Royal Wine Show), and a selection of Museum wines. The CSU Winery team will be on-hand to host the evening and introduce the wines. Tickets are $90 and can be purchased on (02) 6933 2435, or csuwinery@csu.edu.au, or online winery.csu.edu.au. Numbers are strictly limited. The venue is Rafters, in building 1413, near car park 26, at CSU in Bathurst.

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."

The 9th Earl Bathurst visited Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Friday 8 May while he was visiting the city for its bicentenary celebrations. CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann was pleased to receive the Right Honourable Earl Bathurst who was a special guest of Bathurst Regional Council during the Bathurst200 celebrations last week. The acting University Secretary, Ms Linda Breen, and the Director Procurement and Risk Manager in the CSU Division of Facilities Management, Mr Keith Hogan escorted Lord Bathurst and the General Manager of Bathurst Regional Council, Mr David Sherley, on a tour of the campus. "Lord Bathurst is a member of the Board of the Royal Agricultural University in Circencester, in the United Kingdom," Ms Breen said. "He has a particular interest in Charles Sturt University, its agricultural courses and connections to regional communities, with a view to establishing formal links between the two universities."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will host a MyDay on Tuesday 12 May for senior school students who are interested in studying computer science. MyDay gives students a taste of living and learning on campus, and provides useful information about courses and study options. Students also receive information about opportunities and support available, and about how to achieve their goals. Mr Jason Howarth, lecturer and course director in the School of Computing and Mathematics at CSU in Bathurst, said, "The aim of MyDay is let students know about the great careers they can embark upon once they get a Bachelor's degree in computer science. It is essential that regional students hear about the opportunities in technology-related employment so they can make informed choices about their future. In a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, it was noted that up to 44 per cent of current Australian jobs will be automated in the next 20 years. Students with a computer science degree will be well-placed to withstand this massive digital disruption. Already, 75 per cent of the fastest growing jobs require technology skills, jobs such as computer and apps programming, database and systems administration, and network support."

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Psychology will present a seminar for staff, students and the public in Bathurst on Wednesday 13 May. Seminar series coordinator and psychology lecturer Dr Stephanie Quinton said the seminar is free and will be presented by Ms Sarah McMahon, a visiting registered psychologist who specialises in treating body image and eating issues at her private practice, BodyMatters Australasia, in Sydney. "Sarah's presentation is titled 'Building health and wellness in our clients', and will consider the socio-political context of body image and eating issues, including the notion that health is directly related to weight," Dr Quinton said. "She will provide an alternative model to build wellness, and there will be a question time at the end to discuss this. Participants are also welcome to discuss the psychologists' experience of establishing and working in a private practice setting." This free seminar is from 4pm to 5pm Wednesday 13 May in the large group room 204, building 1399 'The McDonoughs', at CSU in Bathurst.

Big Ideas abound at lunchtime on Thursdays at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst. The Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Professor Jo-Anne Reid, said staff, students and members of the public are invited to enjoy lunch while listening to some leading CSU thinkers as they talk about the big ideas that make them passionate about their work. "The Big Idea seminar series provides the chance to find out more about a range of interesting topics and participate in relaxed discussion with each of our presenters," Professor Reid said. "Many of these ideas have been presented at major conferences outside Charles Sturt University, so it's a good opportunity for people to come and see what's going on here." All Big Idea sessions are held each Thursday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at 'Rafters' bar and cafe (in building 1413); bring your own lunch or order from the special 'Rafters' lunchtime menu available from 12.15pm. The next four presentation dates and topics include:Thursday 14 May – Ms Kate Smith, lecturer in theatre/media in the School of Communication and Creative Industries, 'The mindful academic: a third-space for being'.Thursday 21 May – Dr Margaret Van Heekeren, senior lecturer in journalism in the School of Communication and Creative Industries, 'Rising from the ashes – the journalism phoenix'.Thursday 28 May – Ms Annabel Matheson, lecturer in nursing in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, 'Shift work, nursing and women's work'.Thursday 4 June - Dr Chelsea Litchfield, lecturer in sports studies in School of Human Movement Studies, 'Gender and the sports media'.

International Nurses Day will be celebrated with a double-bill film night at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 19 May. Associate Professor David Stanley, the Head of the CSU School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, said, International Nurses Day (12 May) is an important reminder of the valuable work nurses do around the world. "We invite members of the community to join our students and staff for the screening of two engaging films about nursing as a career. The first film is The Lamp Still Burns, a classic black and white film from 1943, the story of how nursing and nursing education use to be. During intermission we'll draw the lucky door prize. The second film is Wit (2001), staring Emma Thompson, a wonderful film about nursing care and illness from the patient's perspective." The films will be screened at 7pm Tuesday 19 May in lecture room 205, building 1292, at CSU in Bathurst. Entry is a $5 donation, and food and drinks provided by the CSU Bathurst Nurses Club can be purchased. Money raised will go to Daffodil Cottage (cancer treatment support) in Bathurst.

The annual Facts About Careers and Tertiary Study (FACTS) Day will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Thursday 7 May. FACTS Day is organised by the Central West Careers Advisers Association to assist Year 12 high schools students from across the central west to explore their future career and employment opportunities. CSU prospective student adviser, Ms Fran Dwyer, said, "Approximately 900 Year 12 students from schools in Bathurst,  Kandos, Oberon, Blayney, Cowra, Canowindra, Orange, and Molong  will seek information from about 120 representatives of more than 50 career and employer organisations, including universities, private providers, TAFE, Centrelink, police, and other government agencies. FACTS Day provides regional final-year high school students the opportunity to speak with a range of educational providers, and hear a motivational speaker. It is also an opportunity for students to experience Charles Sturt University by attending the campus, which some schools will tour."