The special screening in Bathurst on Wednesday 2 September of the acclaimed documentary, The Burning Season could be the start of a new series of film screenings for local audiences. Associate Professor Jane Mills at the School of Communication at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst, says this one-off screening is the initiative of former co-director of the Sydney Asia-Pacific Film Festival and new Bathurst resident Ms Juanita Kwok, supported by the School of Communication. “We’re hoping this screening will bring Bathurst’s screen buffs out and that this could be the start of a series of screenings if there is audience support,” Professor Mill said. “Juanita took the decision to hire the cinema and rent The Burning Season, and we’re personally splitting the costs and hope people will come along. We’re both committed to screen culture and like to see all that cinemas around the world have to offer beyond the mainstream. I’m teaching two film subjects at CSU this semester and it’s a constant frustration that my students can’t see the films that are available to those living in the capital cities. Ms Kwok chose The Burning Season because it’s had a fantastic reaction among audiences at film festivals around the world.”

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication at Bathurst and School of Visual and Performing Arts at Wagga Wagga will hold their fifth annual information day - iDay - at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney on Saturday 29 August. Head of the School of Communication at Bathurst, Associate Professor Rod McCulloch, said iDay at the Powerhouse Museum has proven to be an invaluable venue for students wanting first-hand information about courses, as well as about studying and living at CSU. “This event has also been directly responsible for many students deciding on a CSU course. Unlike other university open days, iDay allows students access to detailed discussions with course coordinators and students from the Schools of Communication and Visual and Performing Arts, rather than having to wade through hundreds of courses on display at the one time. Feedback from parents, too, is always positive. They like the openness and accessibility of our Schools and academics, and they love to hear from our students. iDay is a great way to start building the relationship between prospective students and our Schools,” Professor McCulloch said.

Forty-two TAFE NSW students from Bathurst, Lithgow and Orange who are currently completing the Tertiary Preparation Course (TPC) and eight students completing the Diploma of Communication and Media toured Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Tuesday 18 August. The TAFE students met staff and current students and inspected the University’s many facilities. Ms Fran Dwyer, Prospective Student Adviser at CSU at Bathurst said the day provided insight and motivation for students who are interested in furthering their education. “We know that TPC students who enrol at university generally do very well, so it is important that prospective students understand the excellent range of facilities and support services that Charles Sturt University offers,” said Ms Dwyer. Anyone interested in further information about studying at CSU should phone the CSU Contact Centre on 1800 334 733, send an email or log on to the CSU website here.

To help fund their final-year end of semester productions known as the Sprung Festival, third-year theatre/media students from the School of Communication at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst held a fundraising event on Tuesday 18 August. “We decided to raise extra funds because theatre productions aren’t cheap and we have big visions to realise and we want to present the best quality productions we can,” said event organisers, Ms Erica Heller-Wagner and Ms Amy Morcom. Fundraising activities on the Bathurst Campus library lawn included food stalls, second-hand clothes stalls, and busking performances. This year’s Sprung Festival in October features 12 productions that range from more conventional dramatic plays, to short films and a ‘physical theatre’ production.

A serious accident 18 months ago spurred Charles Sturt University (CSU) fifth year veterinary science student Ms Emma Packer on to achieve her goal of running a marathon. And achieve she did. Ms Packer not only finished the Gold Coast Marathon in July but went on to be the first woman to complete the Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon on Sunday 16 August. The CSU student broke her neck and elbow when she fell from a balcony in February 2008. “I was in a neck brace for months after the accident and when it was removed I found I couldn’t run to the end of the block,” said Ms Packer. “But I’ve built up steadily; to prepare for the marathon I ran up to 100 kilometres a week.” Originally from Cowra, Ms Packer was recently named one of the winners of the 2009 Professional Experience Scholarships. Read more here.

An orphaned foal born prematurely at the Veterinary Clinical Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga is receiving round-the-clock care from dedicated veterinary, equine and animal science students. Affectionately named Tim Tam, the foal was born by caesarean section in early August when it was clear his mother would not survive irreparable bowel damage. Since his birth he has received 24-hour attention from a team of veterinary and nursing staff at CSU, ably assisted by over 30 students rostered on six to 12 hour shifts. Students were only too happy to be involved in his care, which has included respiratory support, intravenous feeding, medication and two hourly turning. Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine at CSU, Dr Sharanne Raidal says the mare in foal was brought to the Veterinary Clinical Centre with severe colic, as it was one of the only facilities in the region that could provide the immediate care needed. “Not only does the foal receive excellent care at the centre, it provides our veterinary science students with hands on experience that is invaluable in their training to become rural vets. We are very proud of the enthusiasm and dedicated care demonstrated by staff and students,” said Dr Raidal.

A tutor and a student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst have been nominated for awards at the annual 2009 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRA). Ms Janeen Hosemans, a tutor in commercial radio and advertising in the School of Communication at CSU has been nominated in two categories; Best Talk Presenter and Best On-air Team. Ms Hosemans hosted the popular Morning Wireless Program on local Bathurst radio station 2BS. She co-hosted the weekly ‘Fishy Friday’ segment with Mr Peter Harrison. “This is the toughest category of the awards and the other nominees are all men in state capitals,” said Ms Hosemans. Mr Charles Croucher, a student in his final semester of the four-year Bachelor of Sports Studies/Bachelor of Communications (Journalism), offered through the Schools of Human Movement Studies and Communication, also works at 2BS and B Rock FM at Bathurst. He has been nominated for Best News Presenter.

The popular image of the soldiers of the first Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) during World War I is of high-spirited larrikins. This will be challenged by historian Dr Peter Stanley when he delivers the third Theo Barker Memorial Lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Friday 14 August. Dr Stanley, who is Director of the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, says memoirs, battalion histories and biographies are full of stories that reinforce the idea that Australian citizen soldiers in World War I behaved like naughty boys, and that their antics were harmless or benign. “But there was a dark side to the AIF's wrong-doers,” he says. “Though little acknowledged, the AIF included many men who contravened military law. They stole, answered back, refused to obey orders, got drunk, wounded themselves to get out of the war, and went absent or deserted, and in huge numbers,” said Dr Stanley.

Does cramming really help students prepare for the HSC? With many starting their HSC trial exams today, students are discovering what study methods work best for them. Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Dr Deb Clarke believes a well prepared study plan is a great start to study and suggests a visit to NSW HSC online for inspiration. “NSW HSC online explicitly follows the syllabus content and has a range of activities for students to complete that can be used to refine and rehearse their knowledge of HSC content,” said Dr Clarke. With so many resources now available online, Dr Clarke advises students to find government-supported sites that provide accurate material. For more information on NSW HSC online visit here.