A theatre-for-young-people production by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students has begun a week-long tour starting on Monday 4 June that will deliver nine performances to students at 10 Central West schools. The theatre/media students from the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst are touring their new production Lost and Found to schools in Bathurst, Trunkey Creek, Rockley, Cullen Bullen, Mandurama, Manildra, Mullion Creek and Dubbo. CSU lecturer and co-director of the show, Mr Daniel Aubin said, “Lost and Found uses physical theatre, story-telling, circus and music to engage, amuse and amaze. With themes surrounding memory, relationships, family, communication and health, Lost and Found has a lesson for every child. We aim to entertain, educate and strengthen the relationship between the University and Central West schools. It’s been a pleasure working with this talented cast to investigate the themes and different methods of theatre-making.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Dentistry and Health Sciences lecturer, Dr Sabrina Manickam has been nominated for the People's Choice Community Hero Award by member for Orange Mr Andrew Gee in an announcement made last Wednesday. Dr Manickam was recognised for her contribution to the field of education and research in dentistry. "The nomination was completely unexpected but I hope it will encourage other young city professionals to relocate to rural areas," Dr Manickam said. Dr Manickam moved to Orange from Sydney 13 years ago. "Living and working in a rural area is a wonderful lifestyle choice and you do feel like you're really making a contribution.” Mr Gee said the Assistant Head of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at CSU had earned recognition through her dedication and commitment to her chosen career path. "Dr Manickam has excelled in what is a male dominated field," he said.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will celebrate its cultural diversity on Wednesday 21 March which is national Harmony Day. “The past 10 years has seen an encouraging change in dynamics and cultures on the campus,” said Head of Campus, Dr Heather Robinson. “I think this comes with the increased diversity in courses offered on the campus. The undergraduate student body is a wonderful mixture of young people of all cultural backgrounds and we continue to host postgraduate students from Asia, Africa and Europe. It makes for a rich and diverse campus experience.” With the theme for Harmony Day 2012 Sport - play, engage, inspire, CSU will host a game of frisbee and a barbecue from midday at the CSU sports oval, with all staff, students and visitors welcome to attend.

Having raised more than $16 000 in the past two years, Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange hope to donate another large sum to the NSW Cancer Council on Saturday 10 March. This follows staff involvement in Relay for Life, an annual community event where teams participate in an overnight relay-style walk or run to raise funds for the NSW Cancer Council. Team coordinator and lecturer in anatomy and physiology in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU, Dr James Wickham, believes the commitment of University staff to the community plays a big part in their fundraising success. “We have a smaller number of staff taking part this year, but they’re just as enthusiastic as ever,” Dr Wickham says. “Charles Sturt University staff enjoy participating in community events and this is for a good cause, so we can always rely on our family and friends to help us donate money for cancer research.” To support the CSU team in Relay for Life click here.

Eight Charles Sturt University (CSU) students from rural NSW communities will be presented with Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW Foundation scholarships at a celebratory presentation at Duntryleague Orange Golf Club on Thursday 12 July. The Head of Campus at CSU in Orange and the Associate Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr Heather Robinson, said, “The University thanks the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation for its support of our students and rural communities. The RAS NSW Foundation scholarships recognise students’ passion for rural issues and their determination to make a positive difference in rural and regional communities. We welcome RAS Foundation Chairman, Mr Michael Millner, and RAS Foundation Executive Officer, Ms Jocellin Jansson, to Orange. Mr Millner will present the scholarships to students who are from Schools and disciplines at CSU campuses in Orange and Bathurst.”

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.”

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) veterinarian said the Hendra virus is very unlikely to pose an immediate risk for horse owners in southern NSW. However, senior lecturer in Equine Medicine with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Dr Kris Hughes, said a confirmed case of the Hendra virus at Wollongbar on the north coast does serve as a warning for all horse owners, veterinarians and other individuals dealing with horses in the region to be vigilant. “The risk is very low given our geographical location, but people should be aware of any changes in their horses’ behaviour, neurological signs and respiratory signs,” he said. The Hendra virus is transmitted to horses by flying foxes and is known to emerge only in autumn and winter in Queensland and northern NSW. In rare cases it can be transmitted from horses to humans and four of the seven people ever diagnosed with the virus have died. Dr Hughes hopes a vaccine being developed by the Australian Animal Health Laboratory will be available and widely distributed next year.

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.”

Dr Heather Robinson has been welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in her new appointment as Head of the Orange Campus. CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter said, “I have much pleasure in announcing that Dr Heather Robinson has been appointed Head of the Orange Campus of Charles Sturt University. Heather will hold this appointment concurrently with the position of Associate Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences. I congratulate Heather on her appointment and look forward to working with her in this role.” Dr Robinson, who has worked at CSU in Orange  for the past six years, is keen to build on the relationship between the University and the community. “I believe it’s important to retain the history of the campus, but it’s also exciting to see health courses strengthening. The potential of a medical school is a natural progression for the Orange Campus and would further increase Charles Sturt University’s contribution to the community and regional Australia as a whole.”