As part of the re-enactment of the famous Freedom Ride bus trip in 1965 to break down segregation laws in regional NSW and Australia, participants in the Freedom Ride 2011 will camp at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Sunday 13 February on their way from Sydney to Moree. The Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo, Dr Bev Moriarty, said, “Charles Sturt University welcomes the 2011 Freedom Riders to Dubbo. We recognise the significance of this event and understand the historical importance of the present event in light of the original 1965 Freedom Ride.” Mr John Nolan, Community Relations Officer at the Centre for Indigenous Studies at CSU in Dubbo, said, “The University will host about 40 participants and give them a warm welcome to Dubbo and the University, including a Welcome to Country ceremony. The travellers will meet local Elders and community members, and guests including the Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University, Professor Ian Goulter, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers.” The evening will conclude with a barbeque and entertainment.

Orientation Week for new students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo start on Tuesday 22 February with the theme ‘Superher-O’. More than 100 students have enrolled in undergraduate courses as varied as teaching, nursing, accountancy, business studies and social work. Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty, said Orientation Week activities were vital to introduce the students to study and life at CSU. “Orientation Week gives students the opportunity to become familiar with their campus, the staff and to meet other students. CSU staff will be on hand to assist new students with their inquiries about courses, subjects, accommodation and finding their way around campus,” Dr Moriarty said.

Staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are being urged to do their bit for Clean Up Australia Day. CSU Green is calling for volunteers on its five major campuses - Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga - to participate in the national event on Friday 4 March, the day designated for schools. Volunteers are encouraged to register their interest in the clean up on their local campus through the Clean Up Australia Day site here. “We hope to see staff and students and their family and friends turn out between 8am and 11am to pick up rubbish and conserve the local environment,” CSU Green’s Ms Nicole Hyde said. “The event will be a positive start to the commencement of on campus classes during the week. Volunteers are asked to bring along some gloves to wear and of course a hat and sunscreen.”

Students from a range of disciplines at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will graduate at a ceremony on Wednesday 23 March 2011. The Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty, said, “I’m delighted that 109 students from teaching, nursing, business and social work courses will graduate from Charles Sturt University in Dubbo this year. It is pleasing to note this continuing upward trend in the number of graduating students, many of whom will take up employment in regional NSW.” The Occasional Address will be delivered by Dubbo businessman Mr Bob Berry. The graduation ceremony starts at 10.30am at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, Darling St, Dubbo.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) vet is warning horse owners to protect their animals from mosquitoes in light of a suspected outbreak of viral neurological disease across three states. More than 135 cases have been reported in horses in NSW and 16 of those have died or been put down. Senior Lecturer in equine medicine with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences,  Dr Kris Hughes, said eight cases have been investigated by staff at the Veterinary Clinical Centre at CSU in Wagga Wagga over recent months. He says Industry & Investment NSW is testing samples from affected horses to determine the exact cause of the condition but it is believed to be a mosquito borne virus. “Affected horses can demonstrate an exaggerated and weak limb movement, lack of coordination, muscle tremors, exaggerated response to stimuli including touch and sound, facial paralysis and behavioural changes,” he said. Dr Hughes recommends rugging, fly veils and using licensed insect repellant treatments along with removing stagnant water where horses are housed to help reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is taking a closer look at garbage as part of an annual environmental scorecard tracking resource use and greenhouse gas emissions from the institution. The scorecard is produced by CSU Green , and this year’s features more information about waste at the University. The report found almost 16 000 cubic metres of waste was produced in 2010 and more than 75 per cent went into landfill. Acting Manager of CSU Green, Mr Edward Maher, says in the past waste was viewed simply as a cost for the organisation. “A lot of hard work has gone into understanding more about where the waste is coming from and what types of materials it contains,” Mr Maher said. “From here there is real scope to implement avoidance, reuse and recycling initiatives that will ultimately result in less waste to landfill.”   CSU has set a target for 2014 to recover 70 per cent of its solid waste rather than send it to landfill. The environmental scorecard also shows that despite construction of new facilities, CSU’s greenhouse gas emissions are steady and water consumption is nearly half that used in 2006.

A leading Australian theologian and academic at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been awarded an honorary doctorate by another national university. Reverend Professor James Haire, AM, KSJ, who is Professor of Theology at CSU and executive director of the CSU Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) , received the Doctor of the University from the Australian Catholic University in Sydney at its recent graduation ceremony. The citation for the honorary degree noted that Reverend Professor Haire is one of the world’s leading scholars and promoters of interfaith dialogue. It concludes, ‘Australia is indebted to James for his work in encouraging understanding between not only the Christian churches, but between people of different faiths’. Reverend Professor Haire also delivered the occasional address to graduates, and spoke of the need for them to be compassionate and generous in their personal and professional lives. “My experience is that, on balance, unless there is obvious evil, it is worth taking the risk to be generous. If you are generous, you give and you expect trust, and it is trust that is both the Christian way, and in any case makes life worth living,” he said.

With children counting down the days until Easter, Charles Sturt University (CSU) Dental and Oral Health Clinic  dentist Dr Ying Shi Chang asks parents to remember the importance of children’s teeth. “Everyone loves indulging in some chocolate at Easter time,” says Dr Chang, “but it’s also a good time to book in a dental check-up for the family.” Dr Chang recommends parents make the most of the CSU Dental and Oral Health Clinic. “The Clinic is large, colourful and friendly so it’s perfect for young children. As well as professional dentists, third year Bachelor of Dental Science students are available to clean children’s teeth and teach the importance of regular brushing and flossing.” To book an appointment at the CSU Dental and Oral Health Clinic call 1300 278 642.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will celebrate its scholarship and prizes ceremony on Tuesday 3 May, with special recognition of the Indyamarra Scholarship program, which is celebrating its 10th year. “Over the past nine years more than $38,000 has been awarded to Indigenous students from regional NSW who have a desire to work in areas that benefit the Indigenous community,” said CSU Head of Campus, Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty. Three new scholarships will be awarded this year, including two Tony McGrane Scholarships and the Macquarie Matrons Scholarship. “Charles Sturt University students can benefit financially thanks to more than 40 scholarships on offer every year. A large number of these scholarships are funded by individuals or organisations that hold a strong belief in supporting the University and its students.”