The work of a Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff member to provide high quality accommodation for CSU students has been recognised by the Australasian Association of College and University Housing Officers (AACUHO), the national body for University accommodation professionals. Mr James Kelly, from the CSU Division of Student Services, won the Fran O’Brien Award at the Association’s conference in the National Museum, Canberra in April. Overseeing accommodation for about 1 200 CSU students, Mr Kelly is the Manager of Residential Operations on the University’s Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange campuses. The award recognises and encourages outstanding newcomers to student housing and includes financial support for Mr Kelly to attend the 2009 conference. Mr Kelly joined the University in 2004. “Through his dedication and enthusiasm, James has made a valuable contribution to the development of the residential community at CSU,” said Executive Director of CSU Division of Student Services, Mr Andrew Callander. “James has been able to enhance the community support focus of the residential operations.”

The work of five Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics has been recognized by their inclusion in the latest Who’s Who of Australian Women, the book which honours inspirational women from all walks of life. Among the new entries in the 2008 edition are Strategic Research Professor in Professional Practice, Joy Higgs AM, Professor of Social Work and Human Services Margaret Alston, the Head of the University’s School of Biomedical Sciences and chair of the CSU Human Research Ethic Committee, Associate Professor Lyndall Angel, senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education, Ms Tracey Simpson and Associate Dean of Policing and International in the Faculty of Arts, Associate Professor Tracey Green. Published by Crown Content Pty Ltd, the third edition has the theme of Leadership & Beyond and profiles over 6 200 eminent but diverse women, ranging from 104 year old Linda Vipont, OAM to NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir, AC, who is mentioned throughout the publication as an inspiration to many. Launched in 2006, the publication is a celebration and acknowledgment of women and redefined the boundaries of success.

The importance of research into a major Australian agricultural and environmental weed - serrated tussock - has been acknowledged with a national scholarship awarded to Charles Sturt University (CSU) student, Ms Sonia Graham. The PhD student is one of two university students in Australia to be awarded the three year, $15 000 AW Howard Memorial Research Fellowship. Presented to the Canberra-based Ms Graham by AW Howard Memorial Trust chairman, Professor Rob Lewis, the fellowship will be used to assist with her research. Serrated tussock has spread across farming lands making large areas of NSW and Victoria unproductive. Ms Graham’s study looks at the ways farmers and State and local governments work together to control the weed. The AW Howard Memorial Research Fellowship commemorates the unique contribution of the late South Australian farmer, Mr Amos Howard, in the use of subterranean clover as a major pasture plant in Australia. 

Outstanding academic performance by Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduate Mr David Waters for his research into the world’s tallest flowering plant, the Mountain Ash, has seen him receive the highly prized Charles Sturt University Medal. Mr Waters, from the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Wagga Wagga, was presented the medal while receiving his first class honours in his Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Horticulture). The medal allows CSU to give special recognition each year to graduates whose academic performances are “superlative”. Mr Waters’ research involved an anatomical examination of the epicormic structure of the Mountain Ash or Eucalyptus regnans. The species regenerates by seed after high intensity fire, in the mountainous regions of Victoria and Tasmania. Previously, there have been suggestions that its poor re-sprouting ability was due to a lack of epicormic buds that have been found in other eucalypts. However, the research proved conclusively that the species has an epicormic structure typical of other eucalypts. “David has provided a unique perspective on why Mountain Ash can resprout in some circumstances but not others,” said CSU senior lecturer and research supervisor, Dr Geoff Burrows.

‘Get tussock before tussock gets you’ is the topic of a free information session about the destructive weed. Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dr Aaron Simmons has been passionate about pest and weed control since beginning his PhD at the CSU’s Orange Campus in 2003. Now he and fellow associate Ms Linda Ayres, from the NSW Department of Primary Industries, will discuss with farmers the factors associated with successful serrated tussock control. Serrated tussock is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia’s agricultural areas. Because of its invasiveness, it spreads potential economic and environmental impacts costing Australia more than $55 million a year. The information session will be held from 8am to 10am on Tuesday 29 April in the hall at Euchareena, north of Orange. A free breakfast is available. RSVPs are essential. Contact Dr Aaron Simmons on 6365 7630 or send an email.

It was a family affair when Winemaker and Managing Director of Casella Wines, John Casella, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in April 2008. Dr Casella received the doctorate in recognition of his contribution to the Australian wine industry, particularly through the creation of new export markets, the economic health of the Riverina region of NSW, and to wine education and research programs at CSU. Founded in 1969 by his parents, Filippo and Maria Casella, Casella Wines dramatically increased production under Dr Casella, who also oversaw the launch of the [yellow tail] brand into the United States in 2001. The [yellow tail] brand is the most successful launch of an Australian wine brand in the history of the Australian wine industry. In addition to praise of his management of the family business, Dr Casella was honoured for his commitment to developing the skills and capacity of young people in the Riverina. He attended the CSU graduation ceremony in Wagga Wagga with his parents, his wife and four children.

The review of Aboriginal education across NSW three years ago will be scrutinised in a public lecture at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dubbo Campus on Wednesday 9 April. Adjunct Professor in the CSU Faculty of Education, Alan Laughlin, will speak about the NSW Aboriginal Education Review of 2004, which was one of the widest assessments of the opinions of Aboriginal people carried out in NSW. “Three years on, many of the recommendations have been implemented. Clearly, generational change is needed, but what has been the impact to date?” Professor Laughlin asks. “The review involved over 400 meetings and more than 4 000 interviews with parents, teachers and students, and 200 oral and written submissions were received. A comprehensive set of recommendations was presented to the NSW government to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children.” Alan Laughlin was the Deputy Director General (DDG) of Education in the NSW Department of Education and Training. He has held every position from teacher through to the level of DDG in his 40 year career.

Staff at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Orange Campus rolled up their sleeves last week and planted over 200 trees as part of a biodiversity project coordinated by the Summer Hill Creekcare group near Orange, which received a grant from the Central West Catchment Management Authority. CSU land management lecturer and group coordinator, Ms Cilla Kinross, said the tree planters used a mixture of native species including Eucalypts, Wattles, Casuarina and nectar-producing shrubs grown from seed by University staff volunteers in the Orange Campus nursery facilities. “This second tree planting day was a great success,” said Ms Kinross. “Thanks to the local assistance, the site is now ‘complete’ – it is fenced and we planted 500 trees and shrubs. In fact, closer to 600 plants were put in over the two days and with some help from TAFE students as well.”

With the NSW equine industry given the all-clear following the outbreak of equine flu that threatened the national horse industry, Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Equine Centre is back in business. Centre manager Ms Cheryl Gander is excited to have the Centre up and running again. “The Orange Campus Equine Centre provides the perfect location for students to be involved in all aspects of horse enterprise management, including breeding, training for different disciplines, show and sale preparation, different handling techniques and research,” Ms Gander said. The Centre, which is part of the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, has an indoor and outdoor arena, exercise track, cross country course, treadmill, horse walker, stables, veterinary laboratory and 80 hectares of horse pastures. For enquiries regarding agistment, breeding and facility hire, contact Ms Gander on 02 6365 7850.