What combines physical theatre, live music, acrobatics, comedy, verbatim dialogue, multimedia, and a huge ball that people walk on? The answer is ‘What do you think?’, a 45-minute performance devised by second-year Charles Sturt University (CSU) theatre/media students which plays at the Ponton Theatre at CSU in Bathurst from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 August. “When was the last time you saw a show that took what you were thinking and put it on a stage?,” asks Mr Dan Aubin, lecturer in theatre/media at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. “This work of short, dynamic, entertaining scenes set in a fantastic pop art design projection explores everyday thoughts in comparison to everyday actions. There is something in the show for everyone, and we invite you to come along and show your support for these talented students who gathered the material and created the content. The students have created some exciting pieces of theatre that go beyond a peripheral response to our immediate culture. They have found an entertaining physical and symbolic language full of deep meaning and whimsy.” The production is suitable for all ages, and tickets ($5 for students, $10 for non-students) can be purchased at the door or by phoning 0402 649 439.

A senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) educator has been appointed as the new Chair of the Mitchell Conservatorium in Bathurst. Professor Tara Brabazon, Head of the School of Teacher Education in Bathurst, says, “I am thrilled to be a part of the future of the Mitchell Conservatorium which is a jewel in the crown of our region. Music is so important, because it is transformative and can enable both intellectual discipline and our imagination. It is important that every citizen has the chance to experience and express music in their daily lives. It is therefore very important that Charles Sturt University builds productive partnerships and collaborations with our colleagues throughout the education sector. Our goal is to build a strong link between the Mitchell Conservatorium and a new, innovative and exciting initiative at the University, the Creative Regions Lab. The goal of the Lab is to enable the creative industries and the knowledge economy in the central west because we recognize that the knowledge economy will help to future-proof the Central West’s cultural life. Music, sport, fashion, design, and media are crucial to us, so the aim is to use the capacity of digitization to support and grow the primary and manufacturing industries in our region.”

TAFE students undertaking the Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) in Bathurst, Lithgow and Orange will attend a CU@CSU event at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst today to explore their prospects for further study at university. The CU@CSU event is an opportunity for prospective students to find out about CSU entry pathways, support services and scholarships. CSU marketing officer, Ms Rebecca Morgan, said, “Charles Sturt University has a formal partnership with TAFE NSW Western Institute to promote pathway options for students in the region, and offers a number of support services to assist with the transition from TAFE to university. We have a range of credit arrangements and offer guaranteed entry into many undergraduate courses for students who have completed a TAFE Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Scholarships valued at up to $2 500 are available for students who have completed a TAFE qualification with the last five years. More than 30 per cent of the University’s new commencing students are admitted on the basis of previous TAFE qualifications.”

The Australian Red Cross mobile blood donation service will be at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst next week. The Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, encourages CSU staff, students and members of the Bathurst community to make a donation if possible. “Most of us now know the stats,” said Mr Sharp. “One in three Australians will need blood at some time, but only one in 30 donates. We also know that donated blood helps a wide range of people,” he added, “but collectively many who can donate just don’t make the time – even though they want to. Many of our students and staff donate, but we simply need more blood. I therefore invite members of the Bathurst community to help out - it only takes a phone call to make an appointment and 45 minutes to donate.  We’d love to see more locals come onto campus to donate.” Anyone wishing to donate blood can make an appointment online or phone the Australian Red Cross on 13 14 95. The service will operate from Monday 16 to Thursday 19 September outside the CD Blake Auditorium, building E1 on Village Drive, CSU in Bathurst.

A free public lecture about sexuality and spirituality will be delivered at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Friday 13 September. The public lecture, titled ‘Eros, Intimacy and the Mind of God’, will be presented by Dr Patricia Weerakoon, an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, and is co-hosted by the CSU Bathurst Christian Students club and Bathurst Presbyterian Church as part of a larger weekend-long event. One of the event organisers, Mr Jonty Perrett, said, “Dr Weerakoon will explore recent scientific research on sexual desire (eros), attraction (love) and long-term attachment (bonding), and the relationship of this research to the teaching of the Bible. Everyone is welcome, and there will be a question and answer panel following the lecture.” The ‘Eros, Intimacy and the Mind of God’ public lecture is at 7.30pm on Friday 13 September in building S15, room 2.23, CSU in Bathurst. The evening will conclude with tea, coffee and supper and the opportunity to discuss the topic with Dr Weerakoon. For more information contact Mr Jonty Perrett on mobile 0404 975 499 or send an email.

The assessment of the sustainability goals at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be revealed at the launch of an Environmental Scorecard on Thursday 12 September. Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, said the assessment, which was conducted at all CSU campuses as part of the strategy to reduce energy consumption and waste, and enhance the University’s sustainability, is a work-in-progress. “Like all Charles Sturt University campuses, Bathurst has continued to grow, and this assessment is relative to 2006 when the University embarked on this CSU Green initiative and the baseline data was recorded,” Mr Sharp said. “Electricity consumption plateaued in 2012, with overall electricity consumption remaining fairly consistent since 2009. Overall, gas consumption on the main campus has plateaued as well. There was an increase in water consumption in 2012 compared to 2011, which is mostly attributed to the significantly hot, early summer experienced on the campus in late 2012. Bathurst proved to be the showcase in terms of waste management in 2012 when it transitioned to a new waste collection system which significantly increased the amount of commingled recyclables that are being diverted from landfill. This also freed staff for other duties that were previously diverted to collecting waste.”

A program to advance Charles Sturt University (CSU) as a leader in higher education teaching and learning will be launched in Bathurst on Tuesday 17 September. CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Garry Marchant, said, “Given the ongoing growth of student numbers and evolution of the higher education sector due to theoretical and technological developments, the launch of ‘Smart Learning’ will enable a stronger professionalised teaching focus to improve student engagement and maintain high-quality teaching standards at the University. With the implementation of Smart Learning, Charles Sturt University will lead the way in higher education learning and teaching innovation.” Information about Smart Learning and the next steps in establishing this program will be presented at the launch at The Grange, CSU in Bathurst at 3pm on Tuesday 17 September.

Seven PhD students will verbally present years of complex research in the most engaging manner in three minutes to an eminent judging panel during the Three-Minute Thesis grand final at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 24 September. Ms Cassily Charles, co-organiser of the competition said, “In the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT), research students have to share the big picture of their research in just three minutes, using only one slide, and using language which allows a non-specialist audience to understand. Our participants have all given very engaging presentations in heats at different CSU campuses and online, and we now have seven finalists. These finalists will compete at the CSU 3MT grand final in Bathurst, in front of an audience and expert judges. The winner will represent Charles Sturt University at the 3MT Trans-Tasman competition in Sydney on Friday 18 October.” The CSU Three-Minute Thesis grand final presentations will start at 4pm on Tuesday 24 September at the James Hardie Room, Centre for Professional Development (building S17) at CSU in Bathurst.

Three Charles Sturt University (CSU) students with the School of Animal Science and Veterinary Science are making last minute preparations as they head off to the United States for international meat judging competitions and a meat industry study tour. In 2012, Mr Isaac Allen from Forbes, Ms Vanessa Campbell from Rutherglen, who is currently living and working in Wagga Wagga, and Ms Jordon Hoban from near Macksville in Northern NSW were named in the five-member Australian team to compete in two meat judging competitions in the USA. It follows their success last July at the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) and at a subsequent intensive Meat & Livestock Australia training program in Brisbane. The team is due to leave Australia for a three-week industry tour of the USA on Friday 11 January and return on Thursday 7 February. Ms Campbell said the trio is all very excited about the trip. “This is a really great opportunity because, as a fourth year vet science student, it gives me a chance to make international meat industry contacts and to see the industry differences between America and the way we do things back home,” she said.