Former US Vice President Al Gore was in the news last week when it was revealed his household energy bill amounted to US$30 000 a year. Jodie Kleinschafer, a Charles Sturt University PhD student currently studying ways households can become more energy efficient, said: “If he is being carbon neutral, using renewable energy sources that are 100 per cent green, then he is not being inconsistent with his environmental stance.” She says there are simple ways to reduce electricity consumption. “Turn down the temperature on your hot water, use the air conditioner less, and don’t turn your heater up quite so high.” Mrs Kleinschafer says “smart meters” are also a useful option for improving energy efficiency because they “give immediate feedback on how much electricity is being used and how much it is costing. Until our electricity is from 100 per cent renewable energy sources, it is in everybody’s best interest to become more energy efficient”.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) human movement graduate, Paralympian and current world wheelchair marathon champion Kurt Fearnley won the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday 4 March smashing the course record by more than a minute. Kurt is originally from Carcoar in the NSW Central West region. Yesterday he said from LA, “It was a particularly sweet victory - my fifth straight win. I have definitely hit something - whether it is my peak I don’t know. I have conditioned myself to race week in and week out, and I am not sure how long it will last, so I am trying to do as many marathons as I can and figure out which ones I enjoy most”. This weekend Kurt travels to Japan for a track meeting before the Rome Marathon on 18 March. In April he will compete in the Paris and London marathons and attend the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards in Spain as Australia’s only nominee.

World Health Organisation predictions of a 60 per cent increase in Type 2 Diabetes between 1995 and 2030 have been challenged by a new study from Ontario. Researchers there have found a 69 per cent increase in the rate of the disease between 1995 and 2005 - far greater than previous projections for Canada. The authors of the new research say this could have devastating consequences worldwide. Professor Patrick Ball from Charles Sturt University’s School of Biomedical Sciences isn’t surprised. "The clear evidence is that we are losing the battle. There are so many different facets to the problem including lack of exercise and modern diets packed with fats and sugar. People are starting to accept diabetes as a normal part of the ageing process. I believe it is a worse health problem than tobacco."

Close collaboration between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and TAFE NSW now enables students to gain computing qualifications from both institutions during three years of full-time study. After completing pilot courses in Albury and Wagga Wagga, the joint program, which incorporates subjects from TAFE NSW’s Diploma of Technology (Networking) and CSU’s Bachelor of Information Technology, is being extended across NSW, with CSU units available via distance education. “This totally integrated approach allows students to study concurrently at both institutions to combine the practical industry experience presented by TAFE NSW with the theoretical rigor of CSU subjects. These students will become even more employable and better qualified in a very competitive industry,” said CSU’s Sub Dean of Information Technology, Dr John Atkinson. Dr Atkinson will meet with TAFE NSW’s Program Manager in Telecom and Networks, Franco Salaun at the Albury campus of TAFE NSW Riverina Institute on Thursday 8 March to discuss further developments in the joint program.

Is agriculture financially risky? Most would agree that it is, but Charles Sturt University School of Marketing and Management lecturer Mark Frost believes it’s not as risky as many would assume. As fiscal stress continues to plague farmers in the region following the ongoing drought, Mr Frost will speak at a Partners In Grain workshop titled Dollars and Sense, aiming to provide valuable financial information to assist in managing finances in the challenging year ahead. “This workshop takes an independent, common sense look at different aspects of farm finances and will equip farmers with the tools to make some sensible business decisions over the next twelve months and beyond,” Mr Frost says. The Partners in Grain Dollars and Sense Workshop will take place at the Coachman Hotel in Parkes on Wednesday 14 March at 9.15am.

No doubt it is a very nice accolade when a national newspaper describes your latest film as “shaping up as the year's top Australian comedy”. However, director and Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduate Darren Ashton says, “Although we are really chuffed at the response, at the end of the day the most important thing is that people go and see it”. The idea for Razzle Dazzle grew out of a short story written by Darren’s partner, and fellow CSU graduate, Carolyn Wilson. Described as “a fly-on-the-wall look at the tears, tantrums and tiaras in the world of competitive dance eisteddfods”, it was filmed in the “mockumentary” style because, “The dance world is really heightened, and I wanted to balance that with being observational and understated,” said Darren, whose debut feature film was Thunderstruck. His next project is a wrestling film set in the 1970s.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is certainly a family affair for the Hogan girls. All five siblings have chosen to study at CSU. The youngest, Kieron, started her Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) yesterday at the Bathurst Campus. The family tradition began with Carlie who completed her Bachelor of Arts (Communication Journalism) in 2000. Hannah Hogan, who also graduated from the Communication degree and now works at CSU,said the University was a natural choice. “In the end it came down to which university could offer me exactly what I wanted and CSU seemed the obvious choice. It is highly regarded in my chosen area of study with many successful CSU Communication graduates scattered throughout the industry – fondly referred to as the ‘Mitchell Mafia’. On top of that it had a friendly, fun campus atmosphere which is always great.”

New South Wales has eight incumbent Independent members of parliament – will that change after the State election on March 24? Charles Sturt University (CSU) politics lecturer Dr Troy Whitford predicts that the number of Independents has plateaued. “But they will always be a main feature of rural elections. Why? Because Independents aim at appealing to a rural and regional mindset called 'countrymindedness'", Dr Whitford explains. “It tends to emphasis the importance of rural Australia and that people in the country have a greater moral compass and a better work ethic than the city, and that politics is always city-centric. ‘Countrymindedness’ suggests rural people are the backbone to the economy, and they should be given special consideration. Old-fashioned ‘countrymindedness’ is apparent in the rhetoric of the Independents representing rural seats.” Dr Whitford predicts Labor will be returned, and says, “I will be very surprised if we see an increase in Independents. I think the Coalition will pick up a couple of seats, but Labor will hang on."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has this week welcomed the Australian Red Cross mobile Blood Donor service onto its Bathurst Campus to encourage staff, students and community members to give blood. Professor Greg Walker, Head of CSU’s Bathurst Campus, said, “We know that, according to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, the gap between the number of blood donors and the number of Australians who need blood will widen unless Australians step up their efforts as blood donors. CSU is proud to support this vital service and encourage our staff, students and community members to give blood regularly. We’ve supported Red Cross blood donations on the Bathurst Campus since the 1970s.” Potential donors should contact the service directly on 13 14 95 to make an appointment, and allow at least 45 minutes for the donation process.