An initial survey of NSW households by a Charles Sturt University researcher has found most householders are looking at ways to become more energy efficient by using less electricity. However, while environmental concern is one reason people aim to reduce their usage, according to CSU postgraduate student Ms Jodie Kleinschafer it is the “larger than expected electricity bill” that is the more immediate motivator. “When ‘average’ householders get larger than expected electricity bills, they start to look for ways to reduce the electricity they use,” said Mrs Kleinschafer, who is undertaking a three year, $100 000 research project funded by Country Energy. So far, Mrs Kleinschafer has surveyed 80 households, and in conjunction with Country Energy will survey a further 4 000 regional NSW households in the next two months. She said the findings of her research would enable electricity retailers to manage increasing electricity demand in a way that still satisfies the needs of residential electricity consumers.

Increasing awareness of the social development needs of the Asia-Pacific region is one of the aims of an international conference being co-organised by Associate Professor Manohar Pawar from Charles Sturt University (CSU). The conference, which will be held in Nepal from Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 November, is held biennially by the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD). Professor Pawar, from the CSU Institute for Land, Water and Society, is president of the ICSD Asia-Pacific branch. “This conference, with its themes of social development, transition and local partnerships, is being held at a time of international financial uncertainty,” said Professor Pawar. “Some world leaders have responded by pleading for global partnership and cooperation to deal with the financial crisis, though the whole world may not be responsible for such a crisis. Similar to the financial crisis, the world is experiencing severe and intensive crises such as poverty and hunger, climate change, disasters and drought, war and violence, and mass displacement of people. It is also timely to call for global partnership and cooperation to attack these crises.”

The Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter, presented over $1 300 to representatives of the Central West Women’s Health Centre in Bathurst for its Emergency Fund on Thursday 6 November. The money was raised by CSU staff and community members at the ‘Reclaim the Night’ march in Bathurst on Thursday 30 October. Speaking at the presentation, Professor Goulter, thanked the community for its support of this event and underlined the importance of the ‘town and gown’ co-operation that was mentioned by Sister Pat Linnane in her speech to the gathering at the march. “Violence against women and children has an enormous impact on the ability of victims to learn, work and live to their full capacity. I am proud that this event was so well supported by the wider community and by staff and students from CSU who affirmed the right of women and children to walk freely and safely in any community.”

An information session will be held in Griffith on Thursday 20 November by TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Griffith City Council for those interested in studying the integrated Diploma to Degree program. The three year program is currently offered through Riverina Institute’s Griffith Campus. Combining university and TAFE studies, the program enables students to gain a Bachelor of Business Studies through CSU as well as three further nationally recognised qualifications including a Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Management and a Certificate IV in Frontline Management through Riverina Institute. “Students benefit from expert tuition from both TAFE and university lecturers and have access to the resources and facilities of both institutions,” explained Riverina Institute’s Head of Griffith Campus, Mr Tony McBride. “The integrated program is proving an excellent model for delivering high quality education and student support,” said CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers.

For Dubbo school leavers pondering their future, twenty one year-old Charles Sturt University (CSU) early childhood education student Ms Mary Crean has a suggestion; study at CSU at Dubbo. “The Campus is special in that it has small class sizes. That means we have more one-on-one time with our lecturers and we have more access to one-on-one help. I love my smaller classes because we’re all close friends, help each other out and learn from each others’ experiences. This creates a great atmosphere to learn in.” To find out more about the University at Dubbo and the many courses available on-campus or by distance education, CSU staff and students will be at Dubbo Centro shopping mall in Macquarie Street, Dubbo, to answer questions and guide prospective students through   the next steps on their career pathways.

The oddly shaped water tower at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange is now home to a pair of rare Peregrine Falcons and, more recently, their eggs. “We noticed a pair of falcons hunting at the campus and mounted a roosting box high up in the water tower, on the south window to encourage the raptors to hang around,” said CSU lecturer Ms Cilla Kinross. “They took to the box very quickly and no end of carnage was brought in to consume.” Two cameras have been temporarily mounted near the nest which now contains at least two eggs. “We’ve been receiving brilliant close-up footage of our new acquaintances and we are currently in the process of upgrading audio/video equipment with a website link for all to see and enjoy,” Ms Kinross said.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic Professor Cilla Kinross, the coordinator of Biodiversity Day, a free community event on Sunday 17 October, says, “Our role as educators plays a big part in why Charles Sturt University gets involved in community events like a Biodiversity Day”. Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, or on an entire planet, and 2010 was declared the International Year of Biodiversity. The Biodiversity Day will focus on the importance of biodiversity through a program of talks relating to biodiversity of the Central West, as well as fun events for the whole family. In the International Year of Biodiversity, CSU is conscious of its involvement in research and education within the local community and further afield to ensure more is understood about biodiversity. “The Biodiversity Day aims to give the general public a better understanding of our flora and fauna and its natural habitat.There will be events for the whole family throughout the day and prizes to be won,” Dr Kinross said. The Orange Biodiversity Day will take place at the Orange Botanic Gardens on Sunday 17 October. For bookings, timetable and further information, please contact Professor Cilla Kinross on ckinross@csu.edu.au  or phone 6365 7651.