Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Division of Library Services will ensure Dubbo’s educational resources are of the highest standard by donating a significant number of visual arts and photography books to the TAFE NSW Western Institute – Dubbo campus library on Thursday 21 August. “The books are duplicates of copies already held in the CSU Library collection at the Wagga Wagga Campus,” explained CSU’s Director of Operations at the Division of Library Services, Ms Kerryn Amery. “We go to great efforts to make sure any duplicates are given a good home.” The books will enable the Dubbo TAFE Library to provide additional support for fine arts, cultural arts and Aboriginal visual and performing arts courses taught at Dubbo. “CSU has a strong relationship with TAFE NSW and this is just one of the many collaborative efforts that guarantee our campus towns offer the highest educational programs,” Ms Amery said.

Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Dubbo Campus will mark the National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration (NAIDOC) for the first time on Wednesday 27 August. Head of the CSU Dubbo Campus and Director of the University’s Centre for Indigenous Studies, Mr Gary Shipp, said NAIDOC is a very significant part of the Australian Aboriginal calendar of events which began in the 1930s when William Ferguson commenced his fight for the rights of Aboriginal people, giving impetus to the May 1967 Referendum. “This year is important for CSU Dubbo Campus to celebrate this occasion and have special guests to share with us their stories and art,” Mr Shipp said. “It will be our first NAIDOC, and I am proud to have Roy and June Barker, elders from Lightning Ridge, and Lewis Burns, a renowned local Aboriginal artist. The activities on Dubbo campus will provide an insight into Aboriginal culture, music and art. It is a time for reflection and sharing stories with visiting and local elders and school students from senior schools in Dubbo.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will next year celebrate 20 years of strategic higher education and applied research that is making a difference nationally and internationally. Celebrations involving students, staff, academics, graduates and the University’s research partners and institutions will be held at all campuses. CSU is extending a warm invitation to all communities in its footprint to become involved in the celebrations that will highlight its rapid growth and achievements during the past two decades. The first meeting of the 20th Anniversary Committee, chaired by CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, was held on Wednesday 25 June, to commence planning for what is a significant year in the history of the University of inland Australia. Proclaimed in July 1989, CSU has evolved as one of Australia's largest universities, operating across inland New South Wales and delivering education and degree qualifications in many countries around the world.

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.