Asperger’s syndrome is a complex condition covering a range of symptoms that include communication difficulties and problems with social interaction and cognitive abilities. Little is known about community views on this condition, which Charles Sturt University (CSU) doctoral student Ms Donna Kite will address in her current research project. Based in Port Augusta in South Australia, Ms Kite is looking for people to complete an online survey on the characteristics, causes, treatment and management of the condition. “Changes are being proposed on the diagnosis of Asperger’s, which could have implications for its subsequent recognition and treatment, so I am also asking respondents for their opinions on the proposed change,” Ms Kite said. “Most clients with Asperger's syndrome have adequate communication and cognitive functioning to participate in regular school programs, employment and sporting activities, but experience social and often behavioural difficulties relating to their interpretation of the world.” 

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Ms Stephanie Frazer has won a national award for her services to a student rural health club. Ms Frazer, who is president of the CSU Multidisciplinary Albury Rural Health Society (MARHS), was awarded $1 000 by the National Rural Health Students Network (NRHSN). The Network recognised her significant involvement in helping build MARHS into a strong and active club, particularly in relation to mental health in regional Australia. “Improving awareness about mental health is important as almost half of all Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. We can make a difference by encouraging understanding and improving support. I feel humbled to be recognised by my fellow students and to work with such great people at Charles Sturt University,” Ms Frazer said. Ms Frazer, who is a third year physiotherapy student with the School of Community Health based at Thurgoona, received her award in Alice Springs in July during the Network’s national conference of 29 student rural health clubs. MARHS vice-president and second year occupational therapy student Mr Alan Dyason also won a prize at the conference for his contribution to increasing awareness and action in Indigenous health issues.

A student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo has been awarded a prestigious scholarship for her dedication to teaching. Ms Lea O’Keefe, a fourth year Bachelor of Education student, received a $4 000 NSW Teacher’s Federation scholarship for her commitment to public education. A mother of two, Ms O’Keefe plans to use the money to finance the cost of her studies. A record number of applicants applied for the scholarship funds and Ms O’Keefe was praised for her exemplary original written submission demonstrating understanding of the value of public education. Ms O’Keefe hopes to pursue a career in teaching with a special interest in working in schools with high Indigenous populations. “My course has prepared me for teaching in remote and regional areas, which is where I am most interested in working,” Ms O’Keefe said. “I’m looking forward to putting my training into practice as soon as I complete my degree.”

Year 10 and 11 students from Dubbo and western region towns in NSW will explore course options and university life when they attend the MyDay information event at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Tuesday 10 August. CSU Marketing Officer, Ms Kath Perry, said, “High school students can get a taste of the courses offered at Charles Sturt University at MyDay Dubbo. They will also learn about the programs, support and opportunities that CSU can offer, such as international experience through CSU Global and financial support. The courses on show include the Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Social Work, and Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) and courses in the Faculty of Business. MyDay Dubbo also provides an opportunity for students to get an understanding of the career paths available to them after they complete a university course.”

Current long-term donors who have contributed to scholarships for students attending Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will be thanked at a ceremony at the University on Tuesday 3 August. CSU Head of Campus in Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty, said, “This occasion provides an opportunity for Charles Sturt University to acknowledge the long-term contributions of Orana Education Centre (OEC) and Country Energy in particular. These organisations have been scholarship donors for 11 and 10 years respectively. Their contributions have helped to support our regional students to gain their qualifications and enable them to contribute to their communities while pursuing careers in regional Australia or any where in the world. The University is very proud of its students and extremely grateful to the Orana Education Centre, Country Energy and all our donors.” Members of the Tony McGrane Memorial Scholarship Fund will also attend and will meet afterwards.

In line with a vision for Healthy Inland Communities, the Centre for Inland Health (CIH) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will work with Narrandera Shire Council in the Riverina to combat overweight and obesity in the local community. Narrandera is one 12 local government areas in Australia to pilot the delivery of the Healthy Communities Initiative which aims to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obese Australians. It is part of the four-year Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health. “Through the Healthy Communities Initiative, the Centre for Inland Health will evaluate the number of people who engage in accredited physical activity and dietary education programs offered by Narrandera Shire Council,” Associate Professor Ann Bonner from CIH said. “The initiative will be rolled out and assessed over the next 15 months with particular attend paid to local residents not in the paid workforce or at a high risk of developing chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes.”  

The NSW Farmers’ Association will discuss regional issues at a conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Friday 16 July. More than 60 people are likely to attend the conference titled Rebuilding the Regions. In the lead up to the NSW election next year, the forum will address issues important to regional NSW including the economy, social policy, transport and infrastructure, environment, water and planning. Association President Mr Charles Armstrong, NSW Opposition Leader Mr Barry O’Farrell and NSW National Party Leader Mr Andrew Stoner will be among the speakers at the meeting. For more information on the event, contact NSW Farmers’ Ms Alicia Harrison on mobile 0427 437 103.

It’s a far cry from studying platypus on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River to Army Reserve training in the jungles of Malaysia, but a Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer is about to get a taste of what her environmental science (Honours) student has been experiencing in his training with the Army Reserve. Senior lecturer in veterinary microbiology, Dr Joanne Connolly, from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, will leave on Monday 15 December to spend five days with Rifle Company Butterworth, near Penang in northern Malaysia, at the invitation of the Defence Reserves Support.  Dr Connolly, who researches disease in platypus, will experience life as a soldier in the field, including weapons handling and finding food from the jungle, to gain insight into the Army Reserve. It’s an activity Dr Connolly didn’t know was on the horizon when she became Mr Tom Claridge’s supervisor for his Honours degree.  However, the academic is excited and a bit nervous about the challenge. “We’ve roughed it in streams late at night netting the nocturnal platypus across the Murrumbidgee catchment as part of the current research project, but this will certainly be a bit different. Tom has to write his thesis when he gets back from his three months service, so I’ll gently remind him about that when I see him in Malaysia,” Dr Connolly said.  

Threats to inland frog species and conservation strategies will be on the agenda when the Declining Frog Working Group meets at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Albury-Wodonga on Monday 23 November. The independent advisory body is made up of policy makers, managers and scientists including CSU’s Dr Skye Wassens. The group meets three times a year to plan for the conservation and long-term management of Australia’s threatened frog fauna. Ecologist with CSU’s Institute of Land, Water and Society and meeting convenor, Dr Skye Wassens is currently looking at the breeding responses of frogs following changes in wetland flooding regimes along the Murray River. “Inland frogs are vulnerable to factors including habitat loss and degradation, exotic species, disease and climate change,” Dr Wassens said. “Coupled with these factors comes difficulty in finding frogs to actually study. Some species have very erratic activity patterns or live in remote areas or in large wetland systems which are difficult to survey. Cooperation between agencies like the Catchment Management Authorities, state government departments and scientists is vital to pool our expertise and resources,” she said. Read more about Dr Wassens research here.