Central West businesses performed better in the June quarter than the preceding quarter, according to the latest Reliance Credit Union business survey released on Wednesday 2 August by Charles Sturt University’s Western Research Institute (WRI). "Interestingly, Central West businesses still expect to improve their performance again in the September quarter, even though interest rates rose yesterday. It is expected, however, that regional NSW business will be less affected by the rise in terest rates than Sydney due to smaller mortgages and less business debt," said WRI CEO, Tom Murphy. It was noted that fuels costs were the most negative influence on business activity, particularly transport. All business sectors except agriculture showed positive performance in June. The business survey, sponsored by Reliance Credit Union and the Central West Regional Development Board, was returned by over 400 businesses including mining, agriculture, tourist, retail and transport industries across regional NSW.

The life of a postgraduate student can be an isolating one, especially for students who do not live near a campus, according to Kris Gottschall, a PhD student in Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Teacher Education. The University’s Student Representative Council has formed a postgraduate group for Bathurst and Orange students which will meet soon at the Bathurst Campus. Ms Gottschall says she hopes the group will encourage students to interact with others and create personal and professional networks, which will help “keep students focused and enthused. I think interaction is really important, not just on the intellectual level, but on a social level as well, because they know what you are going through,” Ms Gottschall said.

Six Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Computer Science students today, Tuesday 15 August received scholarships from the New South Wales Department of Lands (DOL) at a presentation in Bathurst. Associate Professor Sue Moffatt, Head of the School of Information Technology, says the students must do at least three subjects in spatial information, receive good grades and undertake one week’s work experience each year at the DOL. In return, the students receive $4 000 per semester for their three year course and a one year position at the Department upon the successful completion of their degree. Warrick Beacroft, Executive Manager DOL Bathurst, says the scholarships are a natural extension of a long relationship. ”When we first came to Bathurst we were the Central Mapping Authority and across the road was (the former) Mitchell College of Advanced Education. We have had a geographic and academic partnership for 30 years with many of our staff having obtained their qualifications from CSU.”

“The new logo and tagline will refresh the way 2MCE presents itself”, says station manager Peter Tozer. The new logo for community radio station 2MCE was launched late last week by Member for Calare, Peter Andren MP, at the Ponton Theatre on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bathurst Campus. Mr Andren said he arrived in the Central West just months after the establishment of 2MCE 30 years ago and that the importance of community radio had not diminished in that time. “Paradoxically, as the world becomes broader in scope, people are turning away from mass media and looking for a real sense of the village community. 2MCE is well placed to do that.” Guest speakers included Associate Professor Tom Watson and 2MCE life member Brett Van Heekeren, both from CSU’s School of Communication. Mr Tozer says the new logo and tag, “out there”, “declares our intent to build on our track record of positive engagement with the community”.

Charles Sturt University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences is hoping to unearth young people who are making a difference in their communities with the inaugural Making a Difference Social Justice Innovation Award. The award is aimed at Year 11 or 12 high school students or TAFE students who are doing a community services or welfare related qualification. Mr Bill Anscombe, senior lecturer in the School says the two winners will be announced in October. They will receive a $500 cash prize, as well as a $500 donation to a charity of their choice. He says the number of enquiries so far has been very encouraging, and “we already have entries logged onto our website. We want to hear about the fantastic things that young people are doing.”

The Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP will officially open the new Veterinary Science Pre-clinical Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus on Thursday 24 August. The $4.5 million centre for teaching anatomy and physiology is the first purpose-built facility for CSU’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree which began with 45 students in 2005. CSU is the first regional university in Australia to train veterinary science practitioners to meet the shortage of veterinarians in rural practices and work in the area of herd management. While visiting CSU, Minister Bishop will also launch a report on the impact of drought on secondary education access in rural Australia, written by Professor Margaret Alston and Ms Jenny Kent from CSU’s Centre for Rural Social Research. The Minister will also launch a Senior Women’s Network of academics and administrators with the goal of increasing the proportion of women in leadership positions at Charles Sturt University. Minister Bishop will open the Veterinary Science Centre in Nathan Cobb Drive, CSU Wagga Wagga Campus at 10am on Thursday 24 August.

Commonwealth Learning Scholarships for Charles Sturt University (CSU) students studying on all CSU’s campuses in 2007 are now open for applications. The Federally-funded scholarships aim to improve access for students from geographically remote locations or lower socio-economic circumstances to a university education. The program includes accommodation scholarships worth over $4 000 per year for up to four years; and education scholarships worth over $2 000 per year for up to four years. In 2006 CSU students were successful in gaining 105 accommodation scholarships and 128 education scholarships. In addition the University has funded 30 new Professional Placement Equity Scholarships as part of the CSU’s leadership in practical and industry based training. The scholarships are aimed at assisting CSU students to take part in compulsory professional placements required for their courses. Applications for Professional Placement Scholarship support close on Friday 25 August. Worth a total of $30 000, each successful applicant is eligible for up to $1 000 each.

Like a scene from Hitchcock’s horror movie The Birds, one minute you are strolling along and the next you are being attacked from behind by a magpie. Dr David Watson, senior lecturer in Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Environmental & Information Sciences, says to expect the magpie swooping season to begin this week or next. “The first thing to realise is they are just parents looking after their kids, they are not crazy birds with a ‘bee in their bonnet’.” He recommends avoiding the nesting trees and carrying an umbrella or wearing a wide brimmed hat. Dr Watson says the magpie problem on the University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus is caused by hand feeding which has made some of the birds so tame they wander freely into University buildings, including lecture theatres. “Hand feeding can lead to problems and eventually the bird becomes too bold for its own good. As with swooping, it can cause problems.”

Daryl McMahon’s Rugby club history includes Charles Sturt University, the Mudgee Wombats and now the Vientiane Buffalos. The Buffalos are one of four teams in the Lao Rugby Federation. Daryl’s job, funded through Volunteer International Development of Australia, is to develop the sport throughout Laos. The CSU graduate says Rugby is taking off all over Asia, with the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) claiming 25 member countries. The national Lao team recently made their international debut competing against Brunei, Indonesia, and Cambodia in the ARFU Division 6 Tournament. He describes the local players as “fearless. In the Lao culture there is minimal physical contact, so we had to overcome that in the Rugby training. And you have to be tough off the rugby field as well, because the Lao culture involves a lot of eating and drinking the local Lao whiskey."