An introduced pest bird, the Common Myna, is trying to make its home in Orange, an occurrence that Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic Dr Cilla Kinross is attempting to prevent. Setting traps for this major pest of national significance and removing nests is Ms Kinross’ answer to these birds. “We have spotted them nesting in and around Bunnings and Lone Pine Avenue,” Dr Kinross said. “Bunnings have been supportive of their removal and we will set traps to capture and euthanise them humanely.” A successful trapping program was started earlier this year and is about to recommence to try and catch those missed in the first round. A project run with volunteers of the Orange Field Naturalist and Conservation Society, and supported by the Orange City Council and the Central West Catchment Management Authority, was set up in the hope that the situation of these pests becoming a serious problem as seen nearby in Bathurst can be prevented. In Bathurst the Common Myna has had a negative effect on native wildlife, both birds and mammals. In many areas this species has come to totally dominate the birdlife and few natives are seen. “We can prevent the spread of these pests but we need to be vigilant and ask anyone who sees a Myna bird in their garden to contact Dr Cilla Kinross on 6365 7651,” Dr Kinross said.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) dentistry student Mr Mike Azer will travel to the Northern Territory in his holidays to provide dental care in Indigenous communities. A qualified dental therapist, and in his second year of his Bachelor of Dentistry degree at CSU, Mr Azer will spend six weeks working with an assistant to help ease the pain of patients. “It’s a great way to get some life experience and also assist those who normally don’t see a dentist in their community,” Mr Azer said. When he visited the same region last year, Mr Azar experienced life in a remote area. “I see people who are in a lot of pain so I do what I can to help them and try to educate them to take better care of their oral health.” Mr Azar plans to provide similar dental care when he travels to East Timor with a group of CSU dentistry students in 2011.

With an asteroid named after him, Professor Fred Watson, AM, is a master of the universe whose passion for astronomy will excite those who attend his public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Friday 12 November. Astronomer-in-charge of the Australian Astronomical Observatory at Siding Spring near Coonabarabran, NSW, Professor Watson’s main scientific interest is gathering information on very large numbers of stars and galaxies. He is well-known for his astronomy discussions on ABC Radio, has been a guest speaker at venues ranging from Parliament House and the Australian Museum, to Science in the Pub, and is in demand among science educators. Professor Watson is a frequent guest on ABC TV’s weekly science program, Catalyst, and writes regularly for several publications, including Australian Geographic and the annual Yearbook of Astronomy. To find out more about the universe and the asteroid 5691 Fredwatson, the Central West Branch of the Royal Society of NSW invites the public to attend Professor Watson’s public lecture, An alien like you, at 6pm Friday 12 November at Lecture Theatre 3, CSU in Orange. Tickets are $3 for Royal Society members, $5 for non-members.

Construction has begun on the $7.7 million allied health development at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange. The development includes a new Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Science teaching facility for the School of Community Health along with restructured access roads and a new alternative entrance allowing easier access to campus accommodation. With the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course established at CSU in Orange  this year, the University is continuing its development of the campus with a new purpose-built facility which will include academic offices, a rehabilitation gym and a practice clinic. Until the facility is completed, students will continue to use state-of-the-art rooms in the Experiential Learning Centre and Dentistry building, and attend lectures in one of the three lecture theatres on the campus. “Both the students and academics are very excited about the new facilities,” said Associate Professor Julia Coyle, Head of the School of Community Health. The building is due to be completed by mid-2011.

More than 130 Charles Sturt University (CSU) administrative staff will converge on CSU in Orange to attend the University’s biennial conference, Admin Focus - Diversity @ one university on Wednesday 17 November. Every two years administrative staff from six CSU campuses gather to attend a program of professional and social activities and this is the first time the conference has been held at CSU in Orange. “Charles Sturt University values the significant contribution of administrative staff in office and support positions,” said Ms Jenna Sharp, chairperson of the Admin Focus organising committee. “Admin Focus gives staff the opportunity to increase their understanding of relevant professional development topics, and it fosters a sense of community among administrative staff who normally would only be interacting between campuses via phone and email.” The two-day conference will include talks by professional educator and director of Keys to Success, Ms Mary Brell, and the Deputy Chancellor of the CSU Council, Ms Kathryn Pitkin.

The use of virtual reality is pivotal to training future police officers in NSW, according to Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic, Ms Amanda Davies, course director of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice at the School of Policing Studies. Ms Davies will explain how simulation and virtual reality is used in teaching policing studies in a case study titled ‘The Role of Virtual Reality in Connecting Students to their Profession’ to be presented at the National Curriculum Innovation and Quality Forum 2010 in December. “Our students use virtual reality to practice management of events that could happen as part of their policing duties,” Ms Davies said. “The way this course is delivered is a good example of how virtual reality can assist in the practical learning and training involved with certain professions, and I look forward to sharing that knowledge with my colleagues at this conference.” The National Curriculum Innovation and Quality Forum 2010 aims to develop and strategies for education and training providers.

School children in Orange will get hands-on experience in the world of science at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange next Monday 29 November. Around 75 students in Year 5 at St Joseph’s Primary School will divide into small groups to conduct experiments which include the search for the elusive sea monkey, how trees breathe, building a home-made battery, and extracting DNA from fruit. Academics from the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Agriculture and Wine Sciences will spend the morning with the students in the University’s science laboratories. The aim of the workshop is to inspire children to enjoy the world of science. “We want to show the children how fun and fascinating science can be,” science lecturer Mr Gregg Maynard said. “It’s an opportunity to pass on knowledge and introduce children to the University campus.” This workshop builds on previous workshops offered to Borenore Public School and Orange Christian School in 2008 and 2009. With the success of these workshops it is hoped that the program will extend to local high schools in 2011.