As part of the research for her Honours degree in Pharmacy, Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Sarah Kissiwaa is calling on smokers in Orange to assist her by completing a survey on a ‘quit’ program to be available in pharmacies. “Although there have been enormous declines in the prevalence of smoking over the last decade, smoking is still responsible for too many deaths and there is a lot more we can do to help smokers quit,” Ms Kissiwaa says. The survey will give critical information towards developing the ‘quit smoking’ program. “Quitting is the hardest thing anyone can do, but the consequences of not quitting are much worse.” Ms Kissiwaa recommends the use of nicotine replacement therapy and speaking to a pharmacist or doctor and getting as much support from family and friends as possible. The surveys are available in print and online.

The emerging market of conservation real estate will be in focus at a free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange next week. Local residents are encouraged to attend the lecture where Nature Conservation Trust of NSW chief executive officer Mr Rob Dunn will explain the work of the Trust, outline how it is helping to protect private properties with high conservation values, and examine the emerging market of conservation real estate. The Nature Conservation Trust is a non-profit organisation that aims to protect rare plants and animals on private land. Many of the state’s unique plant and animal species survive outside National Parks on unprotected private land. However, many of these sites are under increasing threat from factors such as climate change, drought and general neglect. The properties protected by the Trust include small lifestyle blocks, major wilderness properties and large agricultural properties in the Riverina and Central West.

Researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are seeking participants aged 50 years or more for a study of the long-term side-effects of hormonal therapy on musculoskeletal structure and function in prostate cancer patients. Dr Jack Cannon, lecturer and researcher at the CSU School of Human Movement Studies at Bathurst, says, “Men who have received hormonal therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer are at significant long-term risk of osteoporosis, frailty, falling, and reduced functional ability. The results of this study of muscle strength, body composition, and bone mineral density will help to determine the long-term side-effects of hormonal therapy on musculoskeletal structure and function in such patients. This will assist in the development of interventions aimed to minimise long-term musculoskeletal risks and reduce secondary health conditions in these individuals. Testing will require only a single visit to our laboratory for about an hour, and anyone from the wider Central West region who has been treated for prostate cancer is invited to participate,” Dr Cannon said.

The Dean of the Faculty of Science at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Nick Klomp, a notable science media personality, will present entertaining public talks about science at the University’s various campuses during August. Members of the community, government and industry representatives, and future students are invited to attend to learn about initiatives currently planned or being implemented in various science disciplines at CSU, such as: the opening of dental clinics on five CSU campuses; a recently completed, environmentally sustainable building that has already won building awards and been awarded six green stars as a world class example of building sustainability; new courses and international opportunities for CSU students; the new $44 million state-of-the-art ‘science precinct’; and current science research at CSU that will ultimately contribute to results which significantly improve industries, communities and the environment. Presentations, which will be open to the public, will be held between 4pm and 5pm, followed by refreshments.

As the new School of Dentistry and Health Sciences building nears completion below, the peregrine falcons at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange have been busily working on their own creations, with three eggs hatched in the campus’s landmark water tower. “We have been working very hard on the completion of a new nesting box, designed and built to ensure more room for the birds to roost, and better access for our cameras,” said Ms Cilla Kinross, a lecturer at the CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at Orange. “Unfortunately the female falcon has laid her eggs two months earlier than last year, so we weren’t able to install the new roost in time. At least she seems happy with the old roost, otherwise she would not have re-nested in the same box.” If all goes well, the eggs are due to hatch in early October. The sole survivor of two eggs hatched last year was named Migii, the Aboriginal name for ‘lightning’ due to the water tower being struck by lightning a few days prior to it hatching.

The football (soccer) coach at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange believes the change in demographics at the campus has contributed to the team playing in the Orange District A Grade Competition grand final this Saturday 26 September. Dr Scott Andrew, lecturer at the School of Biomedical Sciences said, "There are definitely more students to select from this year and it has improved our source of players." This is the third year that CSU at Orange has fielded a side in the men’s A Grade competition and the second year for the women's team. Another factor that has helped develop the team has been the new multi-purpose field at CSU’s Orange Campus. “Full flood lighting will be erected around the field next year so we can play night games,” Dr Andrew said. The CSU Orange team is made up of students and two University academics, and is sponsored by Hotel Orange and Hogan’s Pharmacy.

Horse lovers are champing at the bit to attend the next school holiday Equine School at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange after positive feedback about the previous event. The organiser of the Equine School, Ms Cheryl Gander, from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences says, “The School caters for all age groups and experience levels. Admissions are open until Wednesday 7 October for the Spring Equine School, which will be held from Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 October.” Participant Ms Rebecca Cady said, “Not only did I receive expert riding instruction which highlighted some riding problems I needed to correct to get my horse working better, I also learnt a lot about my horse's health and nutrition. The School included riding tuition of up to four hours per day in two sessions as well as classroom lessons and practical ground lessons like float loading, working with a young horse, and lunging. Everyone at the camp was so helpful and I made many new friends in those four days.”

The collaboration between Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange and local small schools has produced a successful series of science demonstrations over the past year. The latest school to benefit from the academic knowledge at CSU was Cumnock Public School, with 18 students in Years 4, 5 and 6 visiting the Orange Campus last week for a three-hour demonstration titled ‘Introduction to Micro-organisms’. “The Charles Sturt University academics offer a great hands-on and expert component that isn't always easy to achieve in schools,” said Cumnock Public School teacher Alison Croker.“It was a great experience and one we're very keen to do again.” CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences academics Mr Peter Mills, Dr Yann Guisard, Dr Scott Andrew and Mr Peter Anderson gave the students an understanding of fungi, viruses and bacteria with practical experiments.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Mr Peter Mills is excited about the coming annual Australian National Field Days (ANFD) at Borenore near Orange NSW. He is taking part in the delivery of Science in the Bush at the ANFD high school day on Tuesday 20 October where exciting exhibits, hands-on workshops and engaging talks about what is happening in science today and beyond will be on show. As the outreach partner of this Australian Government initiative, CSU will deliver a workshop titled Super Botany. Based on the highly successful Science in the City at the Australian Museum, Science in the Bush enables local scientists and educators to bring the excitement and discovery of science to school children in rural NSW. Science in the Bush at ANFD is part of the Science in the City Project run by the Australian Museum with Executive Partner the University of Sydney and Outreach Partner CSU.