History students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) this week stepped into the Chifley Home Museum and Education Centre in Bathurst to glimpse the life of former Prime Minister Ben Chifley and his wife Elizabeth.CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences history tutor Mr Nathan Down said about 30 students visited the Centre because of its pertinence to the theme in the unit The Short Twentieth Century (One) which examined the interwar period."This subject explores major political, social, economic, and intellectual developments in world history, from 1914 to 1945," Mr Down said. "This week we focused on the importance of primary historical sources, particularly oral history. The subject examines methodological issues important to the applied study of history, and we decided to use the tangible nature and function of primary source material in our local 'backyard'."We are fortunate to reside in a city with so many historical points of interest that are accessible to both the public and the University. It makes perfect and practical sense that we introduce local history into our subject's learning outcomes and the discipline more generally. The Chifley Home visit allowed students to find, identify and classify different historical sources that highlight this period of the 20th Century."Current Charles Sturt University academic and past curator of the Chifley Museum, Mr Sam Malloy, provided a detailed insight into Ben and Elizabeth Chifley's longstanding relationship with the Bathurst community, and the Museum provided additional imaginative context."Mr Down said the School of Humanities and Social Sciences will continue to engage with the local community, and upcoming historical field days will further strengthen the bonds between the University and the Bathurst community.

A new Head of Campus has been appointed at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst.Mr Peter Fraser, Director of the CSU Office of Government and Community Relations, yesterday announced the appointment of Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu (pictured) as the new Head of Campus.Professor Anyanwu is currently the Head of the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. He will step down from this role in April, and will thereafter hold the appointment of Head of Campus concurrently with his substantive position as Associate Professor of Media in the School."I congratulate Professor Anyanwu on his appointment and look forward to working with him in this role," Mr Fraser said. "His considerable experience, particularly in the fields of media and mass communication, and his networking skills, will benefit the University in extending and developing connections with the Bathurst community."Professor Anyanwu said it was a privilege to be appointed to the role of Head of Campus."As a University with the goal to build regional capacity, I want to promote the values embedded in the principle of 'Yindyamarra Winhanganha'; that is, 'the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in'," Professor Anyanwu said."This is the philosophy at the heart of University's approach to education, and I will work in this role to build our local economies through knowledge creation and the development of creative and intellectual capital 'for the public good'."Mr Fraser also acknowledged and thanked former Head of Campus in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid for her leadership and work in progressing the University's engagement and community relations program in 2015.

A combined University Roadshow is on the final leg of a five-week tour of high schools in the NSW central west next week.Charles Sturt University (CSU) prospective student adviser Ms Melinda Negus (pictured) said advisers from three regional universities – Charles Sturt University (CSU), Southern Cross University and the University of New England – will visit about 5 000 Year 12 students to provide information about higher education."Starting on Tuesday 1 March, we will meet and present to about 800 local students from 33 high schools in Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Dubbo and surrounding areas," Ms Negus said."By combining the resources of the three universities, we can provide excellent, accurate advice to students in one visit. The Roadshow format also means we can present a broad range of study options to students while minimising the time students are away from classes and study."The Roadshow enables local students to learn about what our regional universities can offer. Students gain insights into what university life is like, and the benefits of life and study at regional universities."This is the thirteenth year of the University Roadshow. The schedule for the Roadshow in the central west is:Tuesday 1 March in Orange9.30am Orange High School11.15am Orange Christian School1pm Kinross Wolaroi School2.30pm James Sheahan Catholic High SchoolWednesday 2 March in Dubbo9.15am Dubbo College (Senior Campus)10.45am Dubbo College (Senior Campus)2pm St John's CollegeThursday 3 March in Bathurst9.30am MacKillop College11.30am Bathurst High School (Denison College)2pm St Stanislaus CollegeFriday 4 March in Mudgee9.30am Mudgee High School

Bathurst will feel a surge of activity when approximately 923 new students arrive in town for the start of the 2016 Orientation Week (O Week) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) next week.CSU Dean of Students Professor Julia Coyle said O Week is a fun, happy and hectic time for new students, their parents and carers, and CSU staff as there is much to learn as students consider their new lives in higher education."For our new students, it is vital that they meet the people and find the resources that will make their studies at CSU a success, while also enjoying a rewarding and eventful life, often in a new town," Professor Coyle said."The shift from school to university means students become adult learners. This transition may be difficult for parents who need to shift from strong engagement as a parent of a school student to only being involved in discussion with lecturers if their young adult gives permission."Professor Coyle said students can use a wide range of services to improve their chances of success, such as the free after-hours and weekend tutors to help students in various areas.The start of O Week at CSU in Bathurst is officially marked by the Commencement Ceremony to be held in the CD Blake Auditorium (building 1220) at 10.30am to 11.30am Monday 22 February.Mr Ardin Beech, on-air presenter at radio 2BS (Bathurst) will deliver the 'Reflections of a Graduate' address to new students and their families. Other special guests include CSU Pro-Chancellor Ms Carole McDiarmid, the Mayor of Bathurst Councillor Gary Rush, Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Gloria Rogers, and Reverend  ̀̀Oto Faiva from the Uniting Church in Bathurst.A morning tea for parents and supporters will follow at 11.30am, concurrent with a Market Day on the library lawn promoting clubs, services and businesses in Bathurst, including a welcome barbeque from 12.30pm.Other activities during the week include formal welcomes, introductions and orientation to Faculties and School, and sessions providing tips and requirements for effective and successful studying at university.Social activities during the week include a 'UV Party' at the Rafters Bar from 8pm Monday 22, a trivia night from 7pm Tuesday 23, a 'Horror Party' from 8pm Wednesday 24, a Moonlight Cinema on the library lawn from 8pm Thursday 25, and a Dag Night at the Rafters Bar from 9pm Friday 26 September.The Bathurst campus will see the return of continuing students the next weekend with the formal start of the academic year on Monday 29 February.

Staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be treated to a special house-warming and inspection of the new CSU Engineering building on Thursday 18 February.Foundation Professor of Engineering Euan Lindsay said the house-warming will give CSU staff the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the academic program and dynamic new teaching space that has been created at CSU in Bathurst."I'm immensely proud that this wonderful facility has been developed on time and on budget in just 10 months since the builders were appointed," Professor Lindsay said. "The house-warming and inspection will give staff insight into and pride in the new Bachelor of Technology/Master of Engineering (Civil Systems) program that commences with the first intake of 32 students on Tuesday 29 February."CSU Engineering students will be taught by 10 academics including three engineers-in-residence, with support from a laboratory manager and administration staff. The formal opening of the facility will be in June and will coincide with an exhibition of the first projects developed by the new students.

Information sessions in Bathurst and Orange next week will enable parents to assist their children to apply, enrol and study at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in the future.CSU prospective student adviser Ms Melinda Negus said the information sessions are specifically for parents of current Year 11 and Year 12 students who aim to study at CSU in 2017 or after."The sessions will equip parents with information about the process of applying to study at Charles Sturt University," Ms Negus said. "The event will cover topics such as how the university application process works; the ways parents can support their child through the application process; where to find information; and important dates."The Bathurst parent information session will be held at the Bathurst RSL, Courtyard Room, 114 Rankin Street, Bathurst at 6pm Wednesday 17 February.The Orange parent information session will be held at the Orange Ex-Services Club, Tobruk Room, 231-243 Anson Street, Orange at 6pm Thursday 18 February.Parents can register on 1800 334 733 or at the door. CSU will also host parent information evenings in Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, and Port Macquarie.

Community groups from the Bathurst region will be presented with Charles Sturt University (CSU) Community-University Partnership (CUP) grants for 2016 at a reception this week.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid (pictured) will welcome representatives of a range of community groups to the presentation ceremony in the Council Room at The Grange at CSU on Tuesday 8 December.CUP grants worth a total of $14 250 have been awarded to 15 schools and organisations under three programs; the Regional Schools Development Program, the Regional Sports Development Program, and the Regional Arts and Culture Development Program.Professor Reid said, "We look forward to welcoming the grant recipients to the campus in Bathurst, and hearing more about the projects the University is supporting. It is always to good meet the representatives and to put faces to names and projects so we can develop practical relationships with schools and community organisations."By the end of 2015 an additional $2 577 will have been provided to schools and sporting groups in the Bathurst region through the Healthy, Active, Sporting Regions Program.Recipients attending the CSU CUP grants reception have been asked to share brief stories about their successful project application. They will then receive a grant presentation certificate from Professor Reid, followed by afternoon tea.

The three-day 40th anniversary conference of the Journalism, Education and Research Association of Australia (JERAA) starts at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst today.One of the conference organisers, Dr Margaret Van Heekeren, senior lecturer in journalism in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, said she expects more than 80 journalists, and journalism educators and researchers to attend to explore the timely theme, 'Dangerous Journalism'."We are delighted that the School of Communication and Creative Industries could host this 40th anniversary annual conference of the Journalism, Education and Research Association of Australia (JERAA)," Dr Van Heekeren said."The conference will also recognise the inaugural panel of educators, some from our predecessor institution, Mitchell College of Advanced Education (MCAE), who in 1975 helped to form what has become Australia's journalism, education and research association."The Guardian's Middle East correspondent Mr Martin Chulov is also flying in from his base in Beirut to address the conference. There will also be a special presentation at 2pm Wednesday 2 December by celebrated Sydney Morning Herald economics journalist Mr Ross Gittins who will speak from his recent memoir, Ross Gittins, Life Among Budgets, Bulldust and Bastardry, in which he will outline an economic model for contemporary and future journalism.

The annual conference for Indigenous staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) starts today in Bathurst.Held annually, the two-day 2015 Nguluway conference brings together Indigenous staff for professional development, to meet other staff for the first time, to form professional networks, and to become familiar with a different CSU campus.The Indigenous employment coordinator in the CSU Division of Human Resources Ms Catherine Maxwell said that CSU was a national leader in university Indigenous employment."The 2015 Nguluway conference is particularly significant as it celebrates 10 years since the first Indigenous Australian Employment Strategy was implemented at the University in 2005. Since then the number of Indigenous staff at Charles Sturt University has increased from 0.9 per cent to 2.64 per cent. This is well above the national average of 1.1 per cent."There are the equivalent of 54 Indigenous staff across the University in roles in administration, library services, human resources, technical (computing and labs), student liaison, and marketing, as well as academic and research roles in all Faculties.CSU also has 898 active Indigenous Australian students which is 2.8 per cent of enrolled students and is one of the highest proportions of Indigenous students at any Australian university.