More than 500 mourners have attended a memorial service at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus on Monday 4 February to honour former Chancellor, Dr David Asimus, AO, who died on Australia Day 2008. Moving tributes to Dr Asimus were delivered in eulogies from Ian Macintosh, Ian Sully and son-in-law James Sutherland. The congregation included the Hon. Kay Hull, federal Member for Riverina; The Hon. Daryl McGuire, NSW Member for Wagga; John Fairfax, Chairman, Fairfax Media, the Hon. Tim Fischer, Former Deputy Prime Minister; The Rev. Archbishop Francis Carroll, Catholic Bishop of Canberra; Mr Lawrie Willet AO, Chancellor CSU and Mr James Sutherland, CEO Cricket Australia. Dr Asimus was elected the foundation Chancellor of CSU in 1989 and served in this post until 2002. As Chancellor, he oversaw the integration of the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education and Mitchell College of Advanced Education to form the new Charles Sturt University.

Turning her classroom into a grocery store is just one example of how Charles Sturt University (CSU) teaching graduate, Ms Alison Wojkowski, strives to make learning fun and meaningful. Ms Wojkowski, who graduated from CSU Ontario’s Bachelor of Primary Education Studies (BPES) in 2008, has been recognised in the Teacher of the Year category of the Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence. She said the primary school teaching program at CSU helped prepare her for the classroom. “The program provided hands-on lessons, applicable ideas and theories, and a significant period of time in each work placement,” Ms Wojkowski said. “I was able to develop a number of effective teaching, classroom management and relationship building strategies.” It is the second year in a row that a CSU graduate has won the prestigious award, with Ms Michelle Jerzyk recognised in 2010. The Head of the Ontario School of Education at CSU Dr Will Letts, said “Alison epitomises what we hope for all BPES graduates, to take their Charles Sturt University education and extend it in creative and meaningful ways.”  Ms Wojkowski is now teaching kindergarten at W H Morden Public School in Oakville. “Every day at least one thing happens with my students to make me smile,” she said. “I will continue to strive to help all of my students see the joy in learning, something I hope they will carry with them for life.”

A motivated young man will move closer to realising his dream of becoming a teacher when he graduates from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario  on Friday 17 June. Mr Chad Pilon, who uses a wheelchair, will be awarded his Bachelor of Primary Education Studies  from CSU. Mr Pilon said graduation is an important milestone both professionally and personally. “I truly believe that disability is a state of mind. There are challenges but I always look forward to meeting them head on,” he said. “I'd like to thank Charles Sturt University for creating an inclusive environment which has allowed me to succeed.” Mr Pilon said the CSU teaching program has prepared him for the classroom. “The program equips us with proven teaching strategies that in some cases are just now being implemented in schools. I really feel ready to face all of the challenges of the teaching profession.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) have extended condolences to the Drayton family over the tragic death of Mr Trevor Drayton who was killed in an explosion at the Drayton Family Winery at Pokolbin in the NSW Hunter Valley on Thursday 17 January 2008. Professor Thomas Henick-Kling, Director, National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, says Mr Drayton was a highly respected leader of the Australian wine industry who will be sadly missed by all who knew and worked with him. His knowledge and experience was a wonderful resource for the national wine industry. Mr Drayton contributed to the research activities of the NWGIC and his input will be missed but not forgotten. CSU and the NWGIC also expresses condolences to the family of a second man, Mr Edgar Orgo, also killed in the tragic incident, and hopes for a full and speedy recovery of Mr William Rikard-Bell, a graduate of CSU in 2006 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science), who was injured in the conflagration.

In the rapidly changing field of biotechnology, education is crucial to keep up with cutting edge technology, says Australian scientist and Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam. Dr Vanniasinkam, who works in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Australia, will visit a number of colleges in Ontario to outline the Bachelor of Science (Forensic Biotechnology). This internationally recognised program is offered through CSU in Ontario and allows graduates with an Ontario Biotechnology, Health Biotechnology Diploma or equivalent to upgrade their qualifications to degree level. “The program can improve job prospects for graduates and open avenues for further education,” Dr Vanniasinkam said. “Students can also undertake short-term study tours in laboratories in countries including Korea, Switzerland and USA.” The program has been developed with industry bodies to address the rapid technological changes and growth in the biotechnology and forensic industries worldwide.

Resources collated in a national education project, to be launched in Canberra on Wednesday 26 October, will provide a major boost for early childhood education students says Professor Sue Dockett, project team leader from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Murray School of Education. “Funding for the Early Childhood Education Workforce Project was available for only a limited time, so it has been really important that the outcomes of this project are sustainable. Although funding for the collaboration will finish, the resources will have a life of their own. They will have an influence far beyond the life of the project and will be freely available across the country. Regional and remote communities, in particular, will benefit in lots of ways. The studying teachers are working in communities where there aren’t many educators and they should feel valued and important. This project recognises the value quality educators give to a community. They can upgrade their qualifications and stay within their chosen community It’s a chance to look at career options without necessarily having to change location, so quality education is accessible and the profession is gaining and retaining the best qualified educators.”

It’s not just the lessons taught in the classroom that Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Mr Dave McGowen will remember from his recent exchange to Australia but those handed out on the football field. Mr McGowan was one of five students from CSU in Ontario who travelled to Australia to complete their final practicum for CSU’s Bachelor of Primary Education Studies. Mr McGowan spent three weeks at the Buninyong Public School in the regional NSW city of Dubbo. He said the experience has given him more examples of how to deal with different classroom situations. “The curriculum seemed pretty similar although I found the students were given more time to do the work and practise or think about things.” Mr McGowan also immersed himself in the local culture, playing a game of Australian Rules football. “The game was a lot of fun and much tougher than I had anticipated, as it was a full contact match against a good opponent,” he said. “Nonetheless I lived through it and have the battle scars to show for it. It was a truly authentic Aussie experience.”

Equity and social justice was the focus for a conference hosted on Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Ontario Campus in Canada in October. The annual, one day Equity and Social Justice Conference, including 210 students enrolled in the University’s Bachelor of Primary Education Studies program, began with a keynote presentation from Mr Chris D’Sousa, the Equity and Diversity Officer from Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. The CSU students were then able to investigate specific topics including Aboriginal education in Ontario; An Australian perspective on the role of Aboriginal English in achieving learning equity for young Indigenous students; culturally proficient education; developing and implementing an equity, diversity and social justice perspective in the classroom and equity through the arts. One of CSU Ontario’s 2007 graduates currently teaching in an inner-city school in Toronto shared his experiences as a first year teacher. Mr Nigel Bariffe’s workshop, Experiencing Equity/Social Justice from the Inside Out and Outside In challenged candidates to fully engage in their chosen profession, both within and beyond the classroom.

The value of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario has been highlighted by the University’s new Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Vann, during a recent trip to Canada. Professor Vann was struck by the enthusiasm of students and staff during the informal visit to CSU in Ontario on Monday 19 March. Professor Vann said CSU’s presence in Ontario is a great advantage to the University, giving staff the opportunity to work and study in another country. “One of the things I’m exploring right now is the similarities between Australia and Canada in terms of geography, culture, and interest in First Nations peoples. I think there are a lot of synergies here,” he said. “It would be great if we could use the campus as a base to really expand that kind of exchange both educationally and in research.” Professor Vann will return to Ontario for CSU’s graduation ceremonies in June.