Asperger’s syndrome is a complex condition covering a range of symptoms that include communication difficulties and problems with social interaction and cognitive abilities. Little is known about community views on this condition, which Charles Sturt University (CSU) doctoral student Ms Donna Kite will address in her current research project. Based in Port Augusta in South Australia, Ms Kite is looking for people to complete an online survey on the characteristics, causes, treatment and management of the condition. “Changes are being proposed on the diagnosis of Asperger’s, which could have implications for its subsequent recognition and treatment, so I am also asking respondents for their opinions on the proposed change,” Ms Kite said. “Most clients with Asperger's syndrome have adequate communication and cognitive functioning to participate in regular school programs, employment and sporting activities, but experience social and often behavioural difficulties relating to their interpretation of the world.” 

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Ms Stephanie Frazer has won a national award for her services to a student rural health club. Ms Frazer, who is president of the CSU Multidisciplinary Albury Rural Health Society (MARHS), was awarded $1 000 by the National Rural Health Students Network (NRHSN). The Network recognised her significant involvement in helping build MARHS into a strong and active club, particularly in relation to mental health in regional Australia. “Improving awareness about mental health is important as almost half of all Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. We can make a difference by encouraging understanding and improving support. I feel humbled to be recognised by my fellow students and to work with such great people at Charles Sturt University,” Ms Frazer said. Ms Frazer, who is a third year physiotherapy student with the School of Community Health based at Thurgoona, received her award in Alice Springs in July during the Network’s national conference of 29 student rural health clubs. MARHS vice-president and second year occupational therapy student Mr Alan Dyason also won a prize at the conference for his contribution to increasing awareness and action in Indigenous health issues.

A book co-written by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic argues the need for long-term reforms to the ways in which schools address the learning needs of students currently not well served by the education system. Dr Dominic O’Sullivan, senior lecturer in political science at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Bathurst, says his book, Scaling up Education Reform: Addressing the Politics of Disparity, probes fundamental questions such as: What is school reform?; What makes it sustainable?; Who needs to be involved?; How is scaling up achieved? Dr O’Sullivan said, “Using New Zealand’s Te Kotahitanga Project as a model, my co-authors and I sought to uncover how an educational reform can become both extendable and sustainable to improve long term educational outcomes for all students. Our model can be applied to a variety of levels in education: in the classroom, in schools and system-wide.”

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Computing and Mathematics in Bathurst will host a week-long cultural visit by 14 students and a lecturer from Dali University in China, starting on Monday 26 July. Mr Errol Chopping, the Courses Manager, Computer Science and Information Technology, and Director Industry Placement at the CSU School of Computing and Mathematics, said, “Following mutual agreements between the universities, the visit is designed to show the students what a Charles Sturt University campus is like, and what university life is like here in Australia. While these particular students might not study here, students like them possibly will under the +1 Year Program, which enables Dali University computer science students to do two years study there to gain credit to then study here for one more year and graduate with our Bachelor of Computer Science. These visiting students will be able to tell others at Dali University what Charles Sturt University and Bathurst are like, and we expect this will attract more applications to study here.”

Two new black comedies are being staged at The Ponton Theatre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst starting Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 July. The plays, The Woman Who Cooked her Husband, and It's My Party (and I'll die if I want to), are written, directed and performed by Charles Sturt University (CSU) theatre/media students at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst. Mr Alexander Hayden, coordinator of Bathurst Arts and Theatrical Society (BATS) which is staging the double-bill, said, “These plays represent a great night of black comedy at Charles Sturt University. For devotees of dark humour, two shows for the price of one is affordable value-packed entertainment, so bring a friend.” The Woman Who Cooked her Husband is written by Ms Debbie Isitt and directed by Ms Aimee Neeme. It's My Party (and I'll die if I want to) is written by Ms Elizabeth Coleman and directed by Ms Millie Samuels.

The Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter, presented the annual awards for excellence to staff at a ceremony at the University in Bathurst today, Tuesday 13 July. Professor Goulter said, “These awards acknowledge the commitment, dedication and contribution of both academic and general staff as they continue to excel in areas such as client service, teaching and learning, leadership, research, sustainability and innovation. Once again there was an extremely impressive range of nominations across all categories. I offer my congratulations to all the award winners, and my sincere appreciation to all the nominees for their ongoing contribution to Charles Sturt University.”

Proving the world is a beautiful place worth exploring, CSU Global will launch its Where in the World exhibition at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 20 July. CSU Global, CSU’s student exchange program, recently ran a Facebook competition to collect images from international student travels. A cash prize of $500 was awarded to the winning student in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga. CSU Global’s Mr Byron Preston said, “As a result of this competition, our CSU Global page on Facebook has had an increase in fans, from 356 in April to a staggering 3 293 in June. Over 129 entries have been submitted to the competition and there has been an increase in page visits from 259 in April to 19 113 in June.” The Where in the World exhibition will travel to each of the three campuses involved in the competition to promote CSU Global and its world travel opportunities.

Bush tucker is the central feature of the NAIDOC Week celebration at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Wednesday 7 July, with CSU staff and the Bathurst community invited to join the celebration. Spokesperson for the NAIDOC Week celebration, Ms Elise Hull, who works at CSU’s Truskett Library, said the theme for this year is Unsung Heroes - Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way. “I believe that NAIDOC Week is important, not just at Charles Sturt University but throughout Australia, because it’s how Indigenous people can celebrate their culture through food, art, activities, and music,” Ms Hull said. “Everyone needs to take a proactive interest in different cultures, and NAIDOC Week is a fantastic way for non-Indigenous people to learn about Indigenous people and their culture in a friendly and open environment. We have some traditional food tasting planned, such as marinated kangaroo, kangaroo rissoles, damper, and quandong cordial or jam.” Mr Laurie Crawford, from the Wammarra Indigenous Support Services at CSU in Bathurst will formally welcome people to the celebration at 1pm.

Completing a degree while working full time can be challenging, but for a Gosford mother of six, achieving Distinctions and High Distinctions in every subject was just a matter of hard work. Ms Joanne Fitzgibbon works at Lakes Grammar School in Warnervale on the NSW Central Coast as a Learning Support Teacher for kindergarten to Year 4 while raising her six children, aged six to sixteen, with husband Darren. “As well as a teacher and a mother, she has been a student at Charles Sturt University’s School of Teacher Education at Bathurst completing a Masters of Education degree,” explains Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education Professor Jo-Anne Reid. “Her demonstration of outstanding academic performance saw her presented with the Dean’s Merit List Award,” Her dedication to her profession also saw her co-presenting at the Australian Association of Special Education conference in Darwin earlier this month, which this year focused on school and classroom leadership.