Thousands of native trees and shrubs will be planted at Charles Sturt University (CSU) as staff and students help mark National Tree Day. CSU Green has organised for native trees, shrubs and grasses to be planted at CSU in Bathurst on Friday 29 July, in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 30 July and in Orange on Thursday 18 August. CSU has set a target of using 10 per cent of University land to increase biodiversity by 2011, and 20 per cent by 2015. CSU Green communication and education officer, Ms Nicole Maher said it is a practical way for people to make a difference to the local environment. “It’s really satisfying to walk past the site in the months and years that follow, and watch the plants you put in growing into a beautiful natural area,” she said. “By getting involved in something like this, people get a far greater appreciation for the incredible native flora and fauna that we have right here on our campuses.”

Former and current police officers and school teachers are sought to participate in Charles Sturt University (CSU) research about decision-making in their careers. The study by Ms Loene Howes, a psychology student and a teacher for 14 years, will focus on the career decision-making of police officers and teachers who stay in these professions or enter new careers. “In particular, I need former school teachers and police officers who have gone into other fields, as well as current police officers and school teachers, to complete an anonymous online survey,” said Ms Howes. "The survey usually takes 10 to 30 minutes to complete, depending on how many questions are relevant to the experience of the individual completing the survey. I hope my research will be of use to police officers and teachers considering career change, counsellors assisting police officers and teachers with career transitions, and police and education departments in addressing the needs of staff and keeping experienced staff in the professions.” The survey can be found here. 

Succession planning and the future of beef production will be discussed by guest speakers at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Orange Ag Club’s Rural Links dinner on Thursday 11 August. The annual dinner aims to link students and graduates from the Agricultural Business Management course, as well as CSU lecturers and industry representatives. This year’s dinner will feature Ms Lyn Sykes, a well-recognised speaker on succession planning, and local beef producer Mr Ross Wills. Orange Ag Club president Mr Richard Connell says the dinner is just part of what the club achieves each year. "The Orange Ag Club is the base of networking for students and professionals who are interested in the agricultural industry around Orange.” A three-course meal is included in the ticket price of $40 for Orange Ag Club members and $45 for non-members.

A free public event at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will demonstrate how science is part of every day life during National Science Week. It will be an evening of film and fruit when scientist Dr Yann Guisard pairs up with fellow CSU science lecturer Dr Scott Andrew to present a ‘Scinema’ event on the evening of Wednesday 17 August from 6pm. Academics from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences will guide visitors to a lab where they will be working with strawberry DNA. The half hour workshop will be followed by a 45 minute movie chosen by Dr Guisard and Dr Andrew from the travelling science film festival. “The evening is an introduction to practical science, demonstrating that science isn’t out of people’s reach,” said Dr Guisard. “People do science every day when they cook - and even when they fill their car with petrol.”

How each private landholder can conserve Australia’s flora and fauna will be presented to Orange residents in a free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Friday 12 August. Chief Executive Officer of the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW, Mr Paul Toni, says NSW is home to an incredible array of plant and animal species. “However, more than 70 of the State's flora and fauna species are presumed extinct in recent decades and over 1 000 native species, populations and ecological communities are threatened with extinction. Many others are also in decline. Just under eight percent of this rich natural heritage is held in protected areas such as national parks and reserves, while the vast majority of the State's land is under private ownership. As a result, networks of landholders who protect our unique native animals and plants for future generations are crucial. This lecture will discuss the importance of private landholders for conserving habitat on their land, and ways in which they can do so.”

According to Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Dr Igor Novak, science is essentially Man’s attempt at understanding nature and the world around him driven, in part, by necessity. Dr Novak’s book ‘Science a Many-splendored Thing’, to be launched on Thursday 11 August, will acquaint non-scientists with science as a wide-ranging human activity. “In the 1955 film Love is a Many-splendored Thing, the director H King explored problems which cultural barriers, driven by irrational adherence to tradition, pose for human emotional relationships,” Dr Novak said. “And yet these many-facetted relationships are the source of endless variety and enrichment for human existence. A similar situation exists in modern science. Advances in science and technology have terrified or alienated many people who are afraid to explore the richness and diversity of nature and of us humans. I hope that this book can allay some of those fears.” Dr Novak is a lecturer in CSU’s School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) farm manager, Mr Steve Mannix, will close the farm gate for the last time on Friday 26 August after 17 years of working on the Orange Campus. Having studied an advanced diploma in horse management in 1990, Mr Mannix returned to the campus to lecture in equine studies in 1993. He then became the Manager at the campus equine centre before taking the role as farm manager in 1999. Mr Mannix leaves his position to concentrate on his equine business, Kintail Equine Services. “I have some great memories at the Orange Campus,” Mr Mannix said. “It’s where I met my wife who is also my business partner, and I’ve really loved working with the people and animals here. The student participation on the farm has been great, too.” Head of Campus, Dr Heather Robinson says Mr Mannix has contributed enormously to the campus. “Holistic management has been a key factor in the success of the business even through the toughest droughts, and Steve has worked hard to ensure the farm’s ongoing profitability. Steve’s also a wonderful personality on the campus. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff member, Ms Jenna Sharp, will be presented with two significant awards by the Vice-Chancellor of CSU this week, adding to her impressive collection. The School of Biomedical Sciences administration assistant, Jenna recalls her year of success began when she convened the annual CSU administration conference, Admin Focus, for which guest speaker Ms Mary Brell nominated Ms Sharp for a Rotary Young Leadership Award. Ms Sharp went on to win the Orange City Council Youth of the Month award in June, and will now receive $6 000 as part of the award for performance excellence through the CSU Faculty of Science Award and CSU Vice-Chancellor’s Award. “I’m really excited to be receiving these awards,” Ms Sharp said. “I enjoy my job immensely and to be acknowledged for my work is very encouraging.” Ms Sharp is studying a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) degree full-time through CSU. “The money I receive for these awards is going straight to my university fees so I’m thankful for all the support CSU has given me.”

The annual Charles Sturt University (CSU) Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence will be presented at a ceremony at the University in Bathurst on Monday 5 September. The Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Ian Goulter, said, “The 2011 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence acknowledge the commitment, dedication and ongoing excellence demonstrated by both academic and professional staff across Charles Sturt University. I thank the award recipients for their efforts which collectively contribute to the continued success of the University.” The ceremony will start at 1pm at the James Hardie Room, Centre for Professional Development (S17) atCSU, Panorama Ave, Bathurst. A ceremony for the presentation of awards to CSU staff at its southern campuses was held on Monday 29 August.