Sixty seven students will receive scholarships valued at $245 000 at the 2014 Charles Sturt University (CSU) Foundation Trust scholarship ceremony in Bathurst on Friday 30 May. Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, said, "The ceremony is a chance for the University to thank our scholarship donors for their generosity. It's a highly emotional occasion for all concerned. The donors meet the individuals they are supporting and, for many donors, the gift itself has its own special and often very personal meaning. At the same time the students celebrate their achievements, and have the opportunity to express their gratitude in person. And of course the student's parents and supporters beam with pride." Notable recipients and scholarships to be presented include: Ms Laura Cole (Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) / Bachelor of Business Studies) - Bathurst Regional Council Scholarship;Ms Cole hopes for a career in events management upon graduation, while continuing to contribute to community service and not-for-profit organisations. She has previously been a Senior Councillor at MacKillop College (Bathurst), was elected as Deputy Mayor of the Bathurst Youth Council, and is currently Bathurst's Jack Aubin Youth Citizen of the Year. She says that this scholarship will make a significant contribution to her tertiary education costs, and will also assist with the costs of her planned trip to Cambodia later this year to help in disadvantaged communities. Ms Carissa Licciardello (Bachelor of Communication (Theatre/Media)) – the Blair Milan Memorial Scholarship;Since commencing her studies at CSU, Ms Licciardello has relished the many opportunities that have extended her skills in theatre, and particularly performance through study and practical experience. She feels that being awarded the Blair Milan scholarship means being given the honour of continuing Blair's legacy of hard work, a love of theatre and performance, and a joy for life. Ms Lucy Waterer (Bachelor of Computer Science) – the Australian Computer Society Foundation Scholarship;When Ms Waterer applied for entry to the Bachelor of Computer Science last year, she wondered if she was silly for considering a career in a tech industry given that she was a 34 year-old stay-at-home mother with no experience in computing. She says winning this scholarship is a sign that she made the right decision, and a reminder that she is capable of more than just running a household. Mr Ron Camplin, OAM, will attend as a donor to present the Radio 2BS Bathurst Broadcasters Scholarship, and the Ron Camplin OAM Scholarship.The CSU Foundation Scholarship Ceremony will be held at 11.30am Friday 30 May in the CD Blake Auditorium (building 1220) at CSU in Bathurst, following a morning tea at 10.30am for donors and recipients. Professor Jo-Anne Reid, University Council Member, will present the scholarships.  

An imaginatively reconceptualised production of the ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata by Aristophanes opened at the Ponton Theatre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst last night, Tuesday 27 May. The story of the women of Athens trying to end the Pelopponesian War (431-404 BC) by abstaining from sex is retold in cabaret style by third-year theatre/media students from the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries with the setting shifted to 1940s war-time. CSU lecturer and director Mr Adam Deusien said, "At first glance the story looks like an empowering story about women's role in society, but the solutions the play presents don't actually advance moves toward equality. This production draws into light the contemporary issues around gender inequality that still exist." Lysistrata plays at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 May at the Ponton Theatre (building 1434) at CSU in Bathurst. Tickets are $15 or $10 for student / concession, and are available at the door or by phoning 0431 909 886.

African-American author and business leader Mr Clifton Taulbert will meet and address academics and Indigenous business students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Thursday 29 May. Mr Taulbert is the guest of the CSU Faculty of Business and his visit follows the formal launch of the Australian Indigenous Leadership and Entrepreneurship Research Cluster in Sydney on Wednesday 28 May. He is helping to highlight the current Australian Indigenous leadership and entrepreneurship research being conducted at CSU. Dr Michelle Evans, senior lecturer in leadership at the CSU School for Management and Marketing, said, "The Faculty is committed to producing fundamental knowledge in the developing area of Australian Indigenous leadership and entrepreneurship. Mr Taulbert has extensive experience in the comparable field in the US as an entrepreneur and a leader. His presentation, 'Entrepreneurial Thinking and Personal Resolve', will discuss the tremendous changes to the workplace and the need bring entrepreneurial thinking and a personal resolve to business endeavours in order to succeed."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst is hosting a public lecture on Thursday 28 May that's set to get you out of your chair and moving.  In his talk, The Need for Quality Exercise During Aging: How to Plan For Your Productive Retirement Professor of exercise science, Robert Robergs from CSU's School of Human Movement Studies will outline why being inactive, regardless of age, is a recipe for disaster. Professor Robergs has developed the Active Lifestyle Education Program (ALEP) which operates at CSU in Bathurst each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8-9am. The ALEP helps people to become more physically active, and improves participants' understanding of the importance of being physically fit. Professor Robergs said, "One of the best ways to live a long, healthy life is to improve your physical fitness." The goal of the talk is to have people walk away better equipped with the knowledge to understand the need to exercise, know what to do, and to start this process now. The event is part of CSU's Explorations Series of lectures and will be held from 6-7pm, with refreshments to follow, in room 223 of building 1292, near car park 7 at CSU in Bathurst.

Advertising students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst have delivered marketing communications pitches to representatives of the University today, Thursday 22 May, to promote specific courses. Ms Anne Llewellynn, lecturer in advertising at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, said, "Final-year students from our on-campus  agency, Kajulu Communications, were approached by the University because of our consistently high achievements in national student advertising competitions and our successes with real-world national advertiser clients. The Faculty of Arts briefed the students to develop integrated marketing communications strategy recommendations to increase enrolments in the Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Liberal Studies. This was an authentic exercise and learning experience for the students whose aim was to promote two School of Humanities and Social Sciences courses to prospective students. The quality of the presentations was to the highest professional standards." Three Kajulu teams presented in a competitive 'pitch', and the recommendations of two distance education Kajulu advertising teams were handed to the Executive Dean of Arts, Professor Jennifer McKinnon, at the conclusion of the live presentations today. Attending the presentations were Professor McKinnon, Associate Professor Joy Wallace, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, Associate Professor Michael Kiernan, Dr John O'Carroll, Mr Brett Van Heekeren, and a representative of the CSU Division of Marketing and Communication. Students delivered their presentations at 9am, 10am and 11am on Thursday 22 May in Foundation Room 1 at the CSU Centre for Professional Development.

The risks of driving while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. or while tired, are being brought home to students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) during a drug awareness campaign until Friday 6June. Organised by the University's Health Promotions Service, the campaign involves parking damaged motorbikes and cars at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga. Health Promotions Officer at CSU Ms Coleen Pearce said, "These vehicles, which are on loan from local businesses, have been sign posted and cordoned off. They aim to show students what can happen if they drink and drive or take drugs and get behind the wheel. The awareness campaign supports the Plan B road safety campaign."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) paramedic students will teach cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at several CSU Community Heart Safe Events in Bathurst in May. First-year paramedic students from the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences supervised by lecturers will conduct the sessions, with the first event at the village of Perthville on Friday 16 May. Paramedic lecturer Mr Brian Haskins, said, "It is so important that as many people as possible know how to perform CPR, and we are delighted with the community interest in this program. The Perthville First Responders group has even purchased their own defibrillator (AED). I urge people to make the time to stop by one of these events to become familiar with the simple but lifesaving techniques. It doesn't take long to learn, or to possibly save a life. No previous skills or experience are necessary." The CSU Community Heart Safe Events are: 4pm to 5.30pm Friday 16 May at the Perthville Community Hall. CPR and AED (defibrillators) for Perthville First Responders. 10am to 3pm Saturday 17 May at the Family Fun Day at the Bicentennial Peace Park (at the children's playground, down by the river) William Street, Bathurst. 1pm to 3pm Monday 19 May at the Kelso Women's Group, Kelso. 4pm to 6pm Tuesday 20 May at the Bathurst District Prostate Cancer Support group.  

 "Oh my god, I've been kidnapped and I hate what I'm wearing" is a new musical comedy thriller for the stage starring Charles Sturt University (CSU) theatre/media lecturer Ms Kate Smith. The production is another witty collaboration between Ms Smith, who teaches at the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Bathurst, and Mr Drew Fairley who wrote and directed the show. The two have previously wowed audiences with their vaudevillian cabaret offerings Bangers and Mash, and The No Chance In Hell Hotel. The show features new songs by composer and rock star Mr Mikey Lira, and is described as part Alice in Wonderland, part King Kong, and part Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The outfits worn by Ms Smith's character 'Sugar' – a champagne showgirl with a beer career – would make a Hollywood red carpet blush. "Oh my god, I've been kidnapped and I hate what I'm wearing" is at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC), William Street, Bathurst, from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 May. Tickets for this new work at BMEC are now only available are for the 2pm matinee on Saturday 17 May.

 A Charles Sturt University (CSU) promotional booth at a nursing careers expo at the Sydney Town Hall last weekend won the award for best display. Ms Jennifer Manning, associate lecturer and associate clinical coordinator for the Bachelor of Nursing in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at CSU in Bathurst, said, "The annual Australian College of Nursing Expo is a unique event in the nursing profession's calendar, and winning the award for best display was an unexpected bonus. Charles Sturt University is one of 23 Australian universities offering a pre-registration programme for nursing, and this event allows us to meet with prospective students and provide them with information to make informed decisions regarding their undergraduate and postgraduate study. The day also offered us an opportunity to network with other the tertiary education providers, as well as various health care providers, specialty groups, and equipment manufacturers."