Former and current police officers and school teachers are sought to participate in Charles Sturt University (CSU) research about decision-making in their careers. The study by Ms Loene Howes, a psychology student and a teacher for 14 years, will focus on the career decision-making of police officers and teachers who stay in these professions or enter new careers. “In particular, I need former school teachers and police officers who have gone into other fields, as well as current police officers and school teachers, to complete an anonymous online survey,” said Ms Howes. "The survey usually takes 10 to 30 minutes to complete, depending on how many questions are relevant to the experience of the individual completing the survey. I hope my research will be of use to police officers and teachers considering career change, counsellors assisting police officers and teachers with career transitions, and police and education departments in addressing the needs of staff and keeping experienced staff in the professions.” The survey can be found here. 

Thousands of native trees and shrubs will be planted at Charles Sturt University (CSU) as staff and students help mark National Tree Day. CSU Green has organised for native trees, shrubs and grasses to be planted at CSU in Bathurst on Friday 29 July, in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 30 July and in Orange on Thursday 18 August. CSU has set a target of using 10 per cent of University land to increase biodiversity by 2011, and 20 per cent by 2015. CSU Green communication and education officer, Ms Nicole Maher said it is a practical way for people to make a difference to the local environment. “It’s really satisfying to walk past the site in the months and years that follow, and watch the plants you put in growing into a beautiful natural area,” she said. “By getting involved in something like this, people get a far greater appreciation for the incredible native flora and fauna that we have right here on our campuses.”

An animal science student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga has been named as a finalist in a national meat judging competition. Seven agricultural, animal and veterinary science students represented CSU at the annual Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) competition in Armidale from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 July. During the grading of beef, lamb and pork carcases and retail cuts, the CSU side competed with teams from other Australian universities as well as top teams from USA and Japan. “This provided an excellent opportunity for Charles Sturt University students to network with students from other universities interested in the production of high quality meat to the domestic and export markets,” said lecturer in animal production with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Dr Belinda King. Two of the seven CSU students made it into the final round. “However, after an excellent oral presentation, Ms Naomi Hobson was one of the 10 students named as finalists and selected for further training with Meat Standards Australia. She now can win a place in the Australian team to complete in the ICMJ competition in USA in January 2012.”

The expenses of attending university have been demystified in a new booklet published by Charles Sturt University (CSU), giving students the power of understanding when it comes to their study options. CSU’s Student Equity and diversity officer, Ms Carissa Perkins is excited to launch the publication. “The Making University Affordable booklet was developed by Charles Sturt University to instil a sense of empowerment, arming students with the knowledge they need to plan and succeed at university,” Ms Perkins said. “Making University Affordable addresses the costs to consider when thinking about further study and how to plan for them, and demonstrates how attending university increases future job prospects and earning capacity. The booklet helps, no matter what life stage students are in. Whether they are a school leaver, wanting a change of career, are returning to work or looking at increasing their skills, this booklet aims to inform those who presently feel future study is beyond their means by showing them practical and achievable ways they can make it happen.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will launch its first Equestrian Club to celebrate the horse’s birthday on Monday 1 August. The manager of the CSU Equine Management Centre, Ms Cheryl Gander has invited people from around Orange to join. “There are many Orange residents who love horses and use our facilities regularly so I’m hoping they will join the club along with Charles Sturt University students.” Ms Gander says the horse’s birthday is always the first day of August in the southern hemisphere so that horses’ ages can be standardised for comparison because of the historical lack of records of actual birth days. “We like to celebrate their day by giving each horse at the Equine Centre extra feed, an apple each and a lot of attention.” To join the CSU Equestrian Club, contact Ms Gander on (02) 6365 7850.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff member, Ms Jenna Sharp, will be presented with two significant awards by the Vice-Chancellor of CSU this week, adding to her impressive collection. The School of Biomedical Sciences administration assistant, Jenna recalls her year of success began when she convened the annual CSU administration conference, Admin Focus, for which guest speaker Ms Mary Brell nominated Ms Sharp for a Rotary Young Leadership Award. Ms Sharp went on to win the Orange City Council Youth of the Month award in June, and will now receive $6 000 as part of the award for performance excellence through the CSU Faculty of Science Award and CSU Vice-Chancellor’s Award. “I’m really excited to be receiving these awards,” Ms Sharp said. “I enjoy my job immensely and to be acknowledged for my work is very encouraging.” Ms Sharp is studying a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) degree full-time through CSU. “The money I receive for these awards is going straight to my university fees so I’m thankful for all the support CSU has given me.”

Orange primary and high school students will get an insight into science and science careers during Science in the Bush Orange, at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Friday 2 September. While attending workshops, shows, talks, and the popular Science in the Bush Expo students will use environmental sensors and basic programming to find out how robots work and will watch a laser light show to demonstrate how lasers work. Program coordinator, Ms Catherine Beehag, says, “Science in the Bush is a unique opportunity for school students to engage with scientific ideas that capture their imagination, whether it’s the Charles Sturt University’s Delving Under Your Skin workshop, or the Australian Museum’s Mini-Beasts Magnified”. “The whole program picks up on the recognition that in Australia we must do more to interest kids in science,” says Dean of Science at CSU, Professor Nick Klomp. “We want them to feel the excitement of science and discovery so we can produce our fair share of scientists in inland Australia.” The program has 90 different timetabled activities over two days, and involves local and national scientific organisations.

A leading advocate for the establishment of a new rural medical school at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will meet local councillors in Orange on Tuesday 28 February to update them on the University’s bid. Professor John Dwyer, founder of the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance and medical consultant to CSU, has been invited to address Orange City Council about the University’s proposal to establish a medical school. Professor Dwyer has been studying the reasons for the rural doctor shortage with colleagues from CSU for the last two years. He has argued recently that projected health budget savings from the federal government’s proposed introduction of means testing for health insurance rebates should be redirected to establishing a new rural medical school at CSU. If the bid proves successful, the School will be located at CSU in Orange. Professor Dwyer will address Council at 5.30pm Tuesday 28 February at the Council Chamber, corner of Byng Street and Lords Place, Orange.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers are asking beef producers to help them find out more information about a condition affecting up to 10 percent of calves. Researchers from the Fred Morley Unit are undertaking one of the first studies of the impact of scours (diarrhoea) in calves in Australian beef herds. It is the most common symptom of illness in young calves reducing growth rates and causing death in a small number of cases. Senior lecturer with the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Dr Jan Lievaart said,  “Most of the research into calf scours in beef cattle has been done in Northern America and this project aims to get hard data for the Australian situation to see if there are any differences”. Surveys have been sent to 1 000 beef producers in the Hume Livestock Health and Pest Authority area and researchers hope to follow up by collecting samples from affected animals to identify the types of pathogens causing the infection. Producers who return their surveys will receive free entry to the EH Graham Centre  Beef Field Day on Thursday 4 August.