The Remote Telescope at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst has a full calendar of observation events plotted for the UNESCO 2009 International Year of Astronomy, which celebrates 400 years since Galileo first turned a telescope to view the night sky. The initiator and administrator of the CSU telescope, Associate Professor David McKinnon at the CSU School of Teacher Education says that images of the southern night sky through the telescope can be seen via the Internet, weather permitting, around themes that depend on which celestial objects are visible at that time. “The observation calendar centres on special events such as the particular phases of the Moon and planets, as well as requests that are lodged via the Remote Telescope website,” Professor McKinnon said. “This year is a wonderful opportunity for school students and anyone interested in astronomy to access the telescope and website to see planets and other objects as they may never have seen them before.”

Recent media reports of a dengue fever ‘plague’ in northern Queensland are an overstatement of what periodically occurs in that State, according to a senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic and member of the Institute for Land, Water and Society. “I don’t see dengue fever marching south from tropical Australia as a great plague, but rather gradually moving with the fluctuations and movements of climate change over many years,” says Professor Kevin Parton. “My work on Ross River fever, a similarly mosquito-borne disease endemic to parts of southern Australia, shows that the virus is present in humans across NSW – which would surprise many people. It becomes more common in certain weather conditions, hence the appearance of an ‘outbreak’. Sure, take public health precautions such as use insect repellent, fix fly screens and tip out standing water around your house, but some current reports are a little sensationalist.”

The influence of the ‘father of evolution’, Charles Darwin, on Australian thinking is the subject of a new book by noted Australian writer and Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Bishop Tom Frame. Titled Evolution in the Antipodes: Charles Darwin and Australia, the book examines Darwin’s life and times, including his 1836 visit to Australia on the HMS Beagle and his foray into the NSW hinterland, which took him as far inland as Bathurst. Professor Frame also discusses the historic disputes and contemporary debates about Darwin’s motivations and methods; his scientific conclusions and their social consequences; and the ways in which Darwin’s work continues to shape Australian public policy and private behaviour. Evolution in the Antipodes will interest students of Australian history and readers of maritime affairs, natural science and theistic religion. Tom Frame is also Director of St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra, which includes the CSU School of Theology.

What is the relevance of Christianity to modern Australian youth? Is God a major influence today? Reverend Father Dr F. Washington (Tony) Jarvis will touch on these and other issues during a public forum sponsored by Charles Sturt University’s Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) in Canberra on Thursday 22 February. Internationally recognised in religious circles, Father Tony is an Episcopal priest who is no stranger to social, ethical and moral dilemmas confronting the youth of today after running a city-wide youth ministry in Cleveland, USA. He also has much experience to impart as a past President of the Headmaster’s Association of USA and a former member of the Massachusetts State Ethics Committee.

A leading Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic will lead a team of researchers contributing to the recently announced five-year, $30 million Australian Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. Professor Allan Curtis, a social researcher with the CSU Institute for Land, Water and Society is well known for his work in natural resource management and rural communities in South Eastern Australia. Professor Curtis says the project aims to improve Australia’s capacity to better manage ground water resources which are threatened by over-extraction and pollution. “While the Centre will examine issues around the sustainable harvesting of groundwater resources, including the interactions between surface and groundwater, there is an important contribution for social research in terms of engaging groundwater users in developing practices that make more effective use of groundwater; and developing innovative arrangements that lead to more sustainable use of groundwater,” he said. The new centre is a partnership of 20 organisations including the Australian Research Council and the National Water Commission, CSIRO and 12 universities. Professor Curtis, along with other CSU researchers including Dr Digby Race and Dr Maureen Rogers, will work to identify projects to be funded over the next six months.

International recognition for his expertise in wetland management has led to the reappointment of a senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientist to a scientific panel for the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Director of CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society Professor Max Finlayson will be a member of Ramsar's Scientific and Technical Review Panel from 2009 to 2012, specialising in the effects of climate change on wetlands and water and the social and economic effects on people who rely on them. Professor Finlayson said the appointment is a great honour and is recognition of scientific expertise available at CSU. The Ramsar Convention, established in 1975, aims to protect wetlands worldwide, including the iconic Barmah Forest and Lower Lakes on the Murray River and the Macquarie Marshes in central NSW.

Fourteen visitors from Indonesia touring Victoria and Tasmania to bring closer understanding between Muslims and Christians will meet with members of the Border community at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Tuesday 3 March. Hosted by the Uniting Church in Australia, the group particularly aims to increase mutual understanding and cultural appreciation between the Muslim majority of Indonesia and Australia’s Christian communities. While in Albury, the group will visit the University’s facilities and speak with CSU students at Thurgoona. “The University hopes the visit will enhance understanding and relations between the faiths and our cultures,” said visit coordinator and CSU student counsellor Mr Geoff Simmons. The visit will include a public forum hosted by CSU Professor The Rev. James Haire from the University’s School of Theology in Canberra.

Members of the public are invited to attend a multi-faith Celebration of the Commonwealth to be held at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra at 11am on Commonwealth Day, Monday 9 March 2009. The Executive Director of the ACC&C, Reverend Professor James Haire, AM, said “The celebration is modelled on the Commonwealth Observance which Her Majesty the Queen attends in Westminster Abbey each Commonwealth Day, and the theme for the celebration this year is The Commonwealth @ 60 – serving a new generation. Local leaders of major world religions will participate in the reading of six affirmations at the celebration which will feature indigenous participation, cultural performances, a Tongan choir, a Chinese group, a Ugandan quartet and the Woden Valley Youth Choir.” The celebration, which is expected to last for 90 minutes and will be followed by lunch, has been assisted by the ACT Government’s Multicultural Grants Program 2008-09.

The launch of a book of theological studies will precede the commencement ceremony at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Theology in Canberra on Monday 23 February. The book, Embracing Grace: The Theologian’s Task, is a collection of essays in honour of Reverend Canon Dr Graeme Garrett, a Professorial Associate and longstanding member of the School of Theology who has had a formative influence on St Mark’s National Theological Centre. Embracing Grace is a collection of studies written by academic staff members of the School of Theology and other longstanding friends or colleagues of Canon Garrett, and was edited by Dr Heather Thomson, lecturer in theology at the School, who completed her own doctoral studies under his supervision. Following the launch of the book, Canon Garrett will deliver the Commencement Address at St Mark’s.