It’s a long way from Milano, Italy to Borenore just outside Orange. Equine Business Management lecturer, Amanda Warren-Smith, has just returned from the second International Equitation Science Symposium which was held in Milano and explored the latest research in horse behaviour, training and welfare.  Amanda’s paper at the symposium, An audit of the application of the principles of equitation science by qualified accredited equestrian instructors in Australia looked at whether accredited equestrian instructors in Australia have an understanding of the principles of learning theory. The symposium was attended by almost 200 delegates from all over the world. From there it was straight to the Australian National Field Days (ANFD), where Ms Warren-Smith is assisting in the coordination of the ANFD Equine Expo.  The Expo gives Equine Business Management students a chance to use their event management skills as well as equestrian skills such as dressage and jumping acquired through their studies.

Last year, for the first time, India passed China in economic growth, when India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by more than 8 per cent. The second quarter of 2006 saw a massive 8.9 per cent growth in the Indian economy. No wonder then that Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a high profile seminar discussing trade between India and Australia tomorrow (18 October). Speakers such as Professor Kevin Parton, Head of School of Rural Management at CSU Orange will highlight future prospects for trade in areas ranging from agribusiness to minerals and service industries. “India certainly is becoming a much more important trade partner for Australia, with products such as coal, and in future probably uranium for important energy sources for the growing Indian economy.  It is fairly obvious that India can provide us with IT and financial services”. India is also the guest nation at this year’s Australian National Field Days (ANFD) to be held in Orange from 17 October.

According to a report published in March of this year, the well-documented nursing workforce shortage is an international problem. Nurse resignation rates in the USA are around 12-15 per cent per annum, while the annual attrition rates in New South Wales are closer to 20 per cent. Susan Bragg, a PhD student with the School of Health Science, is hoping to explore the reasons why NSW rural registered nurses resign from hospitals by interviewing nurses who resigned from a NSW rural hospital for reasons other than maternity, retirement or geographic relocation. “The idea came to me after I left the hospital system, and then we kept hearing about the nurse shortage. I wondered why no one was listening to the nurses who had resigned. I strongly believe that the nurses who have left the system hold the reason why. I think there are quite a few issues impacting on why nurses leave and hopefully I can summarise those in my thesis and then the system may pay attention.”

“I feel very confident in promoting the University as a great place to work.” Karen Kime is Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) new Indigenous Employment Coordinator. Although she only started in the position in June, already she has held cross cultural training workshops and Indigenous staff forums. “The workshops were about the different communication styles that many of our people have. Things such as eye contact, and women and men’s 'business', are sensitive issues. Silences are often used to show respect. Body language is very different. The forums meanwhile are a fantastic way for our people to be able to get together, to network, learn University processes, and to get some training which is specifically targeted for their needs.” Next up will be the introduction of pathways between TAFE, schools and CSU and the development of a mentoring scheme “to encourage people to see CSU as a potential and relevant employer - where one could have a career. In addition, our people contribute to an interesting and dynamic workforce; one that reflects the cultural makeup of the region it serves.”

This year’s National Drama Australia Conference had more drama than usual for Associate Professor Dr John Carroll, who was named the recipient of the 2006 Drama Australia Award for Excellence in Drama Education. The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Associate Professor in Communication Research also launched a new book at the Turning The Tides conference which addressed such issues as online drama, digital performance and drama learning. Professor Carroll says Real Players? coauthored with David Cameron of CSU and Michael Anderson of the University of Sydney is “aimed at drama educators, secondary teachers and the university community, as well as a broader group of people who are interested in what’s happening in new technology and performance. It covers the shift that is going on in how young people are relating to new media, and how they are creatively using alternative channels of information.”

According to Head of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Rural Management Professor Kevin Parton, “animal production is a high priority,” at the Orange Campus where, this Friday, the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) will hold its More Beef from Pastures Regional Expo. CSU is an inland university offering courses that give practical solutions to agricultural management. “The Meat and Livestock Authority has over 40 000 livestock producer members and to be able to work alongside them and discuss CSU’s cattle production and management teaching in our Agricultural Business Management degree is an important part of our collaboration with industry. We look forward to presenting our courses to the participants at this Expo,” Professor Parton said. There will be up to 200 people attending the event including over 150 primary producers. The MLA More Beef from Pastures program offers practical information, guidelines and tools in eight key areas of business. The Expo, to be held at the Machinery Centre, CSU Orange Campus this Friday 27 October.

Residents of the Orange region will have the opportunity to assess and discuss Cadia Valley Operations’ present and future environmental management programs at a public seminar at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Tuesday 7 November. ”The development of this mining site will ultimately affect the prosperity of entire region,” says Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Rural Management Adjunct Professor David Goldney, who will chair the CSU Orange Campus seminar. Cadia Valley Operations Environment and Community Relations Manager Greg Morris will address the seminar, exploring major issues facing the operation now and into the future. This includes the development of a new Cadia East Project, an extensive zone (830Mt) of gold and copper minerals. Mr Morris says the proposed Project “has the potential to extend the current operational life of the mine by 30 years”. Cadia Valley Operations, comprising the Cadia Hill Open Pit and the Ridgeway underground mine, is the largest gold and copper producer in New South Wales and the largest employer in the Orange district. With a current mine life predicted to end in 2013, a $100 million feasibility study is being conducted which will see an estimated 18 million ounces of gold and 2.9 million tonnes of copper extracted from the 1.9km deep open pit. “Cadia Valley Operations is working with CSU on several projects involving operations, environmental assessments, rehabilitation research and the positive impact our work has on the local economy,” Mr Morris says. “This seminar will give those who attend an insight into our collaborative research program.” The public seminar will be held at CSU Orange Campus on Tuesday 7 November from 1 to 2pm in Lecture Theatre One.

Sprung Festival 06, a showcase of performance, media and theatre from final year Communication students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) is underway for 2006. Running for the next three weeks, theatre / media students will “dazzle” audiences at various venues around Bathurst, according to Annabel Scholes, lecturer in the School of Communication at CSU’s Bathurst Campus. She says the students have used a variety of performance skills learned over the past three years to make theatre which is “fun, entertaining and witty.” Shows include a twisted coming of age tale set in a circus tent, reality television theatre, musical comedy, a psychological thriller set in a psychiatric ward, a high school rock concert, absurdist drama and a classic love story from Greek mythology.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Equine Business Management might sound like all course work and no horseplay, but lecturer Amanda Warren-Smith says this is far from the case. Students regularly take part in competitions, especially one day eventing (ODE). Most recently, a ODE was held at the University’s Orange Campus on Sunday 29 October. Organised and conducted by all first year students of the Equine Business Management course, the day catered for riders who are just starting out in eventing through to those who are about to take the step into the international level of competition. Ms Warren-Smith says it is a very demanding sport comparable with a human triathlon. “The horse needs to be flexible and in-tune to the rider for dressage, have the speed and endurance necessary for cross country, and then be agile and controlled enough to complete a successful showjumping round.” CSU’s next horse competition will be held in March 2007.