The role of Australian universities in promoting reconciliation and social justice through education to meet the needs of Indigenous Australians is the subject of a public lecture at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Dubbo Campus on Wednesday 10 September. Ms Wendy Nolan, senior lecturer and Deputy Director of the CSU Centre for Indigenous Studies, will present the lecture which argues for the need to equip non-Indigenous graduates with knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Australian cultures, histories and contemporary realities to help them work effectively with Indigenous people.“Many national reports show Indigenous disadvantage is compounded by cross-cultural ignorance, resulting in ineffective policy and service provision. Achieving reconciliation relies on building a knowledgeable and mature society committed to achieving social justice for Indigenous Australians.” Ms Nolan will also discuss the benefits of incorporating Indigenous content into university curriculum and conclude with an overview of CSU’s commitment to reconciliation and social justice.

Services for women with cervical cancer who live in rural Australia could be improved as a result of a study to be carried out by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) psychology student. Ms Melissa Elleray, a fourth year Honours student at the School of Social Sciences and Liberal Studies, hopes her study of rural women who have had cervical cancer will provide insight into their experiences so that services and funding can be better targeted. “There seems to be little support for or awareness about how rural women experience cervical cancer, and as I have experienced a risk of developing the disease myself, I want to help these women have their stories heard. My research will explore what it was like going through treatment while trying to maintain a normal life,” Ms Elleray said. The research requires confidential face-to-face interviews with up to 12 women in rural NSW and Victoria before the end of 2008. Women interested in participating in the research can contact Ms Elleray on 0409 808 598.

The recent decision by the Federal government to reduce the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) loan repayments for science and mathematics programs offered by Australian universities is a positive message for young Australians, especially those in inland areas, says the Dean of the Faculty of Science at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Nick Klomp. “The move recognises the importance of science for Australia’s future in the knowledge world,” he says. “Although total university enrolments have increased in recent decades, enrolments in science courses have not. This recent federal announcement will help Australia obtain the science graduates it needs to meet the scientific, environmental and technological challenges of the 21st century.” CSU offers science courses in such diverse areas as agricultural, veterinary and wine sciences, dental, biomedical and health sciences, environmental and water sciences, and science teaching.

A keynote address by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic to a national conference in Melbourne on Monday 22 September will advocate that the concept of ‘cultural competence’ is necessary as a teaching framework for university-trained professionals because social attitudes and the services professionals provide to Indigenous Australians remain powerful barriers to achieving social justice. Ms Wendy Nolan, lecturer and Deputy Director of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Centre for Indigenous Studies at its Dubbo Campus in NSW, will speak on Changing Paradigms, Changing Practices: A Cultural Competency Approach at the Indigenous Australians: Safe and Competent Counselling Practices Conference. “Australia’s professionals must have the skills to increase their professional capacity to work effectively to achieve social justice for Indigenous Australians,” Ms Nolan said. “Australian universities have a significant role to ensure that all graduates have a sound knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories and issues.”

Special recognition has been given by Charles Sturt University (CSU) to several staff for their commitment to developing their leadership and management skills. CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, attended a special presentation for the staff in Wagg Wagga on Monday 22 September for the seven staff who completed the Graduate Certificate in University Leadership and Management. The qualification is offered through the CSU Faculty of Business as part of a CSU objective to provide a range of learning opportunities and resources for current and future leaders. The staff are Mr Peter Jones, Manager of Campus Services in the Division of Facilities Management (DFM) at the Albury-Wodonga Campus; Ms Shelley McMenamin, University Records Manager in the Division of Information Technology (DIT), Albury-Wodonga Campus; Mr Jorge Rebolledo, Academic Registrar and lecturer in Research Methods at the United Theological College, Parramatta Campus; Mr Brian Roberson, Manager, Technology Integration in DIT, Bathurst Campus; Mr Wayne Millar, Director of Operations in the DFM; Mr Sam Parker, Team Leader, Systems and Business Processes at the Learning Materials Centre at Wagga Wagga Campus; and Mrs Miriam Dayhew, University Ombudsman.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) strong tradition of working with farmers to provide solutions to agricultural challenges is continuing through collaboration on a project with Murrumbidgee Landcare to manage drought through sustainable farming systems. Funded by grocery giant Woolworths, the project was launched by the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, The Hon. Ian Macdonald, MP, at the Henty Machinery Fields Days in the Riverina on Tuesday 23 September. Researchers from the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation will work on the project with Murrumbidgee Landcare and farmers at Henty, Junee, Mirrool Creek and Harden. Centre director Professor Deirdre Lemerle says encouraging farmers to retain the stubble from cereal crops, rather than burning it, increases soil moisture and carbon content. “The funding means we can continue to work closely with farmers to manage stubble for soil health, which, in association with integrated weed management, aims to secure the long term sustainability of agriculture,” she said.

With a significant percentage of stroke victims left with speech and language impairments, Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) speech pathology course is training a new generation of therapists to ensure that the focus is always on getting people back to the activities that are important to them. Lecturer at CSU’s School of Community Health, Ms Libby Clark, believes that rehabilitation after stroke is something that should not stop at the hospital door. “It needs to reach right back to the community level to support people who have strokes to get back into the everyday activities that give their lives meaning,” she says. “The CSU program strongly emphasises the social aspects of health to students. This teaches them to think beyond what the person can’t do, and to think about what the person can do, and what everyday activities are important to the person. Our students get very practical, hands-on experience during the four year course, with a real emphasis on working in partnership with the client and their families.”

The Federal Government has announced that Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will receive 15 new places in the Graduate Certificate in Rural Mental Health Nursing, and the 30 new places for the Bachelor of Nursing course in Orange and Dubbo in 2009.  Supporting higher education places in the national priority area of nursing, the Government offered 300 places for rural and regional areas. “We are happy that 45 places were allocated to Charles Sturt University,” said Professor Elaine Duffy, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. “It may be a small per cent of the total number allocated, but Charles Sturt University is already a dominant industry supporter and our graduates are highly sought. Applicants from around Australia are invited to learn more about the distance education courses via the CSU website link.”

Combining her studies with two jobs, family responsibilities and community service work is part of the juggling act Mrs Jill Morris has successfully performed for a number years. Mrs Morris, from Dubbo in the NSW central west, was named in September as the NSW Vocational Student of the Year at the NSW State Training Awards, hosted by the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET). Mrs Morris is benefiting from a joint program introduced by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the TAFE NSW Western Institute in 2005. Students enrol at the two institutions and begin their social work studies in three courses at the same time, including the CSU Bachelor of Social Work. As part of her CSU degree, Mrs Morris has this month started her work placement in oncology at Dubbo Base Hospital. “The TAFE/CSU initiative has offered me an opportunity to study at a level that I would not have considered without the joint venture,” said Mrs Morris. “Jill’s success in her studies demonstrates the success that many social work students achieve when they return to learning with a wealth of personal, family and community life experiences,” said Mr Neil Barber, lecturer in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Wagga Wagga.