A project that will develop models of health care that work for the specific needs of rural and remote communities will start in Molong in the Central West region next month. Dr Julaine Allan, from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences, will ask focus groups about “their experience of health care provision, what the community needs now and in the future, what models of health service provision work and do not work, and what they would suggest to improve them”. In April, Dr Allan will take her “intensive case study” to Canowindra. “We will compare the two towns and work out why some services work well in one area and not another. Even though communities may be of similar sizes, they are not necessarily the same. We are aiming to improve rural health status by being able to target those differences.” Dr Allan says this is the pilot phase of the project, “and we are seeking additional funding to work with other communities in inland Australia”.

The Australian wine industry will benefit from Charles Sturt University (CSU) research to prevent revenue loss for Shiraz growers. A research team, led by senior lecturer in viticulture at the School of Wine and Food Sciences Dr Dennis Greer, is using business intelligence software to investigate water loss from Shiraz grapes. The project has received about $2 million funding from the Australian Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation. Shiraz grapes lose up to 20 per cent of their water content at the end of the growing season which means growers, who are paid on weight, lose up to 20 per cent of their potential revenue. Data including grape bunch weights, carbon dioxide and water vapour emissions is collected every five minutes over several days. According to Dr Greer, "This is relatively new science that has not been done on Shiraz grapes before".

Prospective students are investigating the hundreds of course options at Charles Sturt University (CSU) as part of the 2007 mid-year intake. Tuesday 1 May is the mid-year deadline for enrolling to study nursing fulltime on the University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus or performing and visual arts on its Wagga Wagga Campus. More than 200 courses are available at undergraduate and post-graduate levels through distance education, including courses in business, theology, communication, information technology, applied science, health science, paramedic and rural studies. CSU nursing student Jessica Roennfeldt, from CSU’s Albury-Wodonga Campus, said: “I’m glad I applied for the 2006 mid-year intake because it’s been a great way to start my professional training. There was no need to wait another six months.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will soon return to the Campus towns of Albury, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst, and some will be seeking off campus accommodation, according to CSU Student Services Officer Jane Battersby. “We have VTAC and UAC rounds coming out next week, so the student demand will soon be there. We have a database of off-campus accommodation providers, from vacant rental to shared rental and board.” Colleen Poy says providing accommodation to CSU students can be very rewarding. “I started off with one house, then two and now I have five houses. I really missed my children when they left home. There’s nothing like being around young people, they never lose their enthusiasm. Every morning is a whole new day and they are up and at it. I think it’s wonderful.”

Will nano-technology save the world or spell the end of civilisation? Professor John Weckert of Charles Sturt University’s Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics says as well as those two groups of people with diametrically opposed view of this new technology, there is also a third viewpoint:  “These voices are trying to get the arguments into perspective so that the technology can be used in ways that are most beneficial.” Professor Weckert is the editor-in-chief of a new journal, NanoEthics. “It was thought that now is a good time to set up an academic journal that can be a forum for serious discussion of these issues,” said Professor Weckert. He says the journal is aimed at academics, philosophers, ethicists, policy makers and “people involved in regulation, many of whom are lawyers. It is very much a cross-disciplinary journal.”

A seven-week pilot project at Masterfoods in Bathurst will expand into a larger study later this year, according to Dr Rob Duffield, lecturer in the School of Human Movement (SOHM) at Charles Sturt University. Twenty shift workers participated in an exercise training program with predictable results – improved fitness and weight loss. As well, the participants reported lower stress levels, less fatigue, and clearer on-the-job decision making. There was even “a small trend in improved absenteeism and reporting of sickness,” said Dr Duffield. Sport and exercise psychologist in the SOHM Dr Les Podlog interviewed the participants about their on-going commitment to the program. He identified camaraderie amongst the group and enhanced self-confidence as key contributing factors. In addition, “shift workers require convenient scheduling times to ensure sustained participation, and it is important to mix people who already get along,” Dr Podlog said.

Schools and other institutions around Australia, including Charles Sturt University (CSU), will burst into song – the same song – at 11am Thursday 30 August. Life is a Song has been especially written for the project entitled Music, Count Us In, which is an initiative of the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training. CSU choir master and music lecturer in the School of Teacher Education Dr Christopher Klopper calls the project “fantastic” and confirms that Life is a Song will be performed on CSU’s Bathurst Campus. He says the timing of the project also coincides with his fourth year student’s practicums, so they will take the project into schools around New South Wales. “This is an opportunity for everyone in Australia to be learning one shared song. It will raise awareness of music education and, if it is successful, could become an annual event.”

Dean of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Business Faculty Professor John Hicks has been appointed the new Head of the Bathurst Campus. He will commence in the position on Friday 22 June when the current Campus Head, Associate Professor Greg Walker, retires. Professor Hicks has had an extensive academic career and has worked as a senior economist in the private sector. He joined CSU in 1993. His current research interests include the application of macroeconomic policy at regional and national levels – especially in relation to China, the economics of education, the application of economics to business strategy and the economics of terrorism. Professor Hicks paid tribute to a job well done by Professor Walker. “Greg has done an outstanding job of engaging with the Bathurst community. And I want the University and community to continue to work together to achieve even greater outcomes.”

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bachelor of Advertising degree strives to provide real, industry-partnered projects for its students, according to Brett Van Heekeren, lecturer in the School of Communication. “For example, advertising company Campaign Palace recently partnered us in a curriculum based project,” explains Mr Van Heekeren. “They issued us with a brief from one of their clients, then their Creative and Planning Directors flew to CSU Bathurst to hear our Principles of Advertising students pitch campaign executions and recommendations. Campaign Palace brought with them a CSU graduate from the course, Sarah Jacobs, who is now a junior planner there,” said Mr Van Heekeren. Jacinda Agnew is completing her second year of Bachelor of Arts (Communication-Advertising)/Bachelor of Business (Marketing). “The whole process was very rewarding, and it gave us a chance to pitch to people who are so important in the industry.”