The Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter, has announced the University’s new Head of Campus at Dubbo. Dr Beverley Moriarty, who is Associate Head of the School of Teacher Education at Dubbo, will take on the Head of Campus role for three years, effective from Wednesday 15 July. Professor Goulter welcomed Dr Moriarty’s appointment and looks forward to working closely with her to develop further the campus at Dubbo. Dr Moriarty said she was honoured to accept the new role. “These are exciting times for the higher education sector and I am delighted that I can contribute to realising the opportunities for Charles Sturt University as it moves ahead as the University of Inland Australia,” Dr Moriarty said. “I also want to acknowledge the contribution of my predecessor, Mr Gary Shipp who has taken on an important new role in the University as Special Adviser, Indigenous Affairs.”

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Human Movement Studies is hosting a three-day symposium in the NSW Blue Mountains for national and international experts in exercise and exercise rehabilitation. Professor Frank Marino, Head of the CSU School of Human Movement Studies at Bathurst, said The Future of Fatigue in Exercise: An International Symposium on the Limits to Exercise Performance, which runs from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 July, is the first symposium of its kind in Australia. “The symposium provides an opportunity for leaders in the field from around Australia and the world to come together to discuss a range of issues related to exercise, rehabilitation, health and wellbeing. We expect it will advance our research and the way in which we work together to solve problems that affect many of us, particularly athletes, at some stage in our lives.” Presentations at the symposium include Anticipating fatigue during exercise by Professor Marino and Cancer-fatigue in exercise by CSU’s Dr Jack Canon.

The Western Division of the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) NSW branch will meet this week at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Orange Campus where construction of one of the $64 million dentistry and oral health facilties is being completed. Meeting in the new lecture theatre at CSU at Orange on Friday 24 July, ADA divisional members will hear talks by CSU’s Professor of Dentistry, David Wilson, on oral pathology and oral medicine. Dr John Whitworth from Newcastle University in the UK will give a presentation on endodontics, or root canal surgery. Dr Peter Duckmanton, an endodontic specialist from Sydney and current president of the Australian Endodontic Society, will also give a short presentation on endodontics. “ADA divisional members are looking forward to seeing the CSU Orange Campus developments while discussing the latest technology and practice methods in dentistry and oral health,” says Dr Sabrina Manickam, CSU Senior Lecturer and External Relations Coordinator in Dentistry and Oral Health Therapy.

As part of the research for her Honours degree in Pharmacy, Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Sarah Kissiwaa is calling on smokers in Orange to assist her by completing a survey on a ‘quit’ program to be available in pharmacies. “Although there have been enormous declines in the prevalence of smoking over the last decade, smoking is still responsible for too many deaths and there is a lot more we can do to help smokers quit,” Ms Kissiwaa says. The survey will give critical information towards developing the ‘quit smoking’ program. “Quitting is the hardest thing anyone can do, but the consequences of not quitting are much worse.” Ms Kissiwaa recommends the use of nicotine replacement therapy and speaking to a pharmacist or doctor and getting as much support from family and friends as possible. The surveys are available in print and online.

The emerging market of conservation real estate will be in focus at a free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange next week. Local residents are encouraged to attend the lecture where Nature Conservation Trust of NSW chief executive officer Mr Rob Dunn will explain the work of the Trust, outline how it is helping to protect private properties with high conservation values, and examine the emerging market of conservation real estate. The Nature Conservation Trust is a non-profit organisation that aims to protect rare plants and animals on private land. Many of the state’s unique plant and animal species survive outside National Parks on unprotected private land. However, many of these sites are under increasing threat from factors such as climate change, drought and general neglect. The properties protected by the Trust include small lifestyle blocks, major wilderness properties and large agricultural properties in the Riverina and Central West.

Researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are seeking participants aged 50 years or more for a study of the long-term side-effects of hormonal therapy on musculoskeletal structure and function in prostate cancer patients. Dr Jack Cannon, lecturer and researcher at the CSU School of Human Movement Studies at Bathurst, says, “Men who have received hormonal therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer are at significant long-term risk of osteoporosis, frailty, falling, and reduced functional ability. The results of this study of muscle strength, body composition, and bone mineral density will help to determine the long-term side-effects of hormonal therapy on musculoskeletal structure and function in such patients. This will assist in the development of interventions aimed to minimise long-term musculoskeletal risks and reduce secondary health conditions in these individuals. Testing will require only a single visit to our laboratory for about an hour, and anyone from the wider Central West region who has been treated for prostate cancer is invited to participate,” Dr Cannon said.

The Dean of the Faculty of Science at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Nick Klomp, a notable science media personality, will present entertaining public talks about science at the University’s various campuses during August. Members of the community, government and industry representatives, and future students are invited to attend to learn about initiatives currently planned or being implemented in various science disciplines at CSU, such as: the opening of dental clinics on five CSU campuses; a recently completed, environmentally sustainable building that has already won building awards and been awarded six green stars as a world class example of building sustainability; new courses and international opportunities for CSU students; the new $44 million state-of-the-art ‘science precinct’; and current science research at CSU that will ultimately contribute to results which significantly improve industries, communities and the environment. Presentations, which will be open to the public, will be held between 4pm and 5pm, followed by refreshments.

A passion for education, the pursuit of excellence and a commitment to children were attributes recognised in three students at Charles Sturt University in Ontario, Canada, who were awarded the Kate Graham Learning Communities Awards in December 2008. The winners, Mr Roland McDougall, Ms Melanie Childs and Mr Farran Glynn, were presented their awards by Ms Kate Graham and her husband Paul during ‘Careers Week.’ The $400 in prize money for the award was raised by CSU Ontario’s 2007 and 2008 graduating students after Ms Graham was involved in a serious car accident which interrupted her Bachelor of Primary Education Studies. The three students to receive the Kate Graham Learning Communities Awards in 2008 were recognised as representing Ms Graham’s dedication to learning. Read more about the CSU Ontario School of Education here.

At its final meeting for 2008 on Thursday 18 December, the University Council of Charles Sturt University (CSU) congratulated Associate Professor David McKinnon and Dr Lena Danaia from the School of Teacher  Education for winning a prestigious 2008 Australian Award for University Teaching. The Chancellor of CSU, Mr Lawrie Willett, AO, said “The Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) award reflects the dedication and expertise of Professor McKinnon and Dr Danaia, and that of their School, the Faculty of Education and the whole University. We are proud of their contributions to the education of the professions for our regions and the nation. This award reflects Charles Sturt University’s mission to provide education and research to national and international standards, for the people of inland Australia.” Read more about the ALTC award here.