Rehabilitation expert Dr Gavin Williams will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Tuesday 30 April to work with third-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy students at the School of Community Health on methods to help brain injury patients re-learn how to run. Dr Williams developed Australia’s first running group for neurological patients and has considerable research experience in the treatment and measurement of mobility disorders following neurological injury. CSU physiotherapy lecturer Ms Kerstin McPherson said Dr Williams would work with students in the campus rehabilitation gym, deliver a lecture and then run drills with students on the sports oval. “This is an excellent high-level educational opportunity for our students, and for local practitioners,” she said. “Rebecca Moore from Orange Base Hospital, who regularly supervises Charles Sturt University students during their practical work placements, will also attend, and Dr Williams’ visit is an example of the strong and ongoing relationships the physiotherapy program in Orange has developed with local practitioners.”

The 2013 vintage harvest has concluded at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange, with strong yields and excellent quality in all varieties picked. CSU Winery marketing manager Mr Justin Byrne said the second crop of Riesling to be harvested at CSU in Orange yielded six tonnes. “It’s just as well, since the 2012 Charles Sturt ‘R’ Riesling has been very popular and is likely to run out soon, so it is good to know we have a great follow-up in the 2013 vintage,” he said. The harvest also included three tonnes of Pinot Gris, a good crop of 40 tonnes of Chardonnay destined to become both sparkling and table wine, and 17 tonnes of Sauvignon Blanc. “The question remains as to whether the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc will be better than the 2012, which is in the market now,” Mr Byrne said.  “We have to wait until the spring to see.” The red varieties also performed well, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon relishing the warm growing season. “The Cabernet Sauvignon is the last of the varieties to be harvested at Charles Sturt and will spend at least 18 months in barrel before bottling for release sometime in 2015. So patience is required,” Mr Byrne said.

Senior high school students in Orange will get the chance to discover more about university life and potential career paths when the University Road Show comes to town on March 11 and 12. A joint venture by Charles Sturt University (CSU), Southern Cross University and the University of New England, the road show will visit schools throughout the region and feature presentations on a range of topics including admission, university life and study options. Orange High School will host one of three events in town this week, and career advisor Mrs Jenny Teitzel said the road show is an opportunity for her students, and students from surrounding schools, to get a better idea of their options after school. “Regional universities are a common option for school graduates from Orange and the surrounding area who are going on to further education, but it can be difficult for regional students to travel the distances required to attend Open Days at all the universities they may be considering,” she said. “The Road show is a great opportunity for students to hear from a number of universities in one session. Having them come to town so the students can hear from them directly makes a real difference. We’ve found in the past students learn a lot from the sessions and enjoy the chance to ask questions of the three universities." Now in its eleventh year, the University Road Show will visit more schools than ever before, sharing information with around 5,000 students at 120 schools across NSW. CSU Prospective Student Adviser Ms Rebecca Morgan said the road show allows the universities involved to provide students with accurate and timely information to senior high school students considering further education. “By pooling resources, Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross and the University of New England are able to provide excellent advice to students in one visit, maximising the study options presented to students while minimising the amount of time students need to be away from the classroom,” Ms Morgan said. The University Road Show will be in Orange on March 11, visiting James Sheahan High School with students from Orange Christian School attending. On March 12 the Road Show will visit Orange High School with students attending from schools in Blayney, Yeoval and The Canobolas Rural Technology High School, and a third session at Kinross Wolaroi School.

First year Bachelor of Physiotherapy student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange, Mr Scott Simpson, will be presented with one of two inaugural Catherine Bonnes AM Scholarships next week. The $1 000 scholarship has been awarded to Mr Simpson by the Broken Hill and District Hearing Resource Centre Inc., a not for profit organisation assisting people who are deaf or hearing impaired and their families or carers. CEO Ms Anne Woods said Mr Simpson, who is hearing impaired, had impressed the scholarship committee with his commitment to the deaf and hearing-impaired community and his drive to succeed in his chosen career. “The scholarship is designed to assist deaf or hearing impaired people with the cost of tertiary study,” she said. “It is funded through community donation, with administration costs provided through the Centre, and we hope to expand it in the future.”

Physiotherapists from Orange, Bathurst and Canowindra will share their experience with students at Charles Sturt University in Orange on Friday in a workshop designed to foster industry connections.   Physiotherapy lecturer Ms Kerstin McPherson from the School of Community Health said the collaboration of local professionals was an important part of the University's approach to preparing students to join the industry.   “It is fantastic that we have local clinicians sharing their knowledge and being involved in teaching,” she said.   The workshop will be run by problem-based learning tutor Dr Sarah Hyde and is designed to encourage the clinicians to share their professional knowledge with the students.   “Dr Hyde’s PhD focused on the problem-based learning approach the CSU physiotherapy program has adopted,” Ms McPherson said.    “Problem-based learning fosters communication skills, group dynamics and clinical reasoning. It builds confidence in students as they gain clinical skills and enhances their ability to contribute on clinical placements.”

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has stated surprise over the latest public debate about breastfeeding in public. A rally of breastfeeding woman was held in the heart of Sydney on Monday 21 January in protest against on-air comments on television show Sunrise about a need for nursing mothers to be “discreet” and “classy” when breastfeeding in public. Ms Pam Shackleton, a lecturer in nursing and midwifery from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at CSU in Wagga Wagga, said, “Of course women should and will breastfeed when and where their babies demand. Modesty and discretion have nothing to do with the issue of breastfeeding. It is well established that ‘breast is best’ and as a midwife and an academic, I support the right of women to breastfeed their babies in public in a manner they see fit.  Babies don’t wait when they are hungry; breast feeding is natural and gives the little people the best start in life.  When it comes to breastfeeding, women don’t need to be told how to do it in public.”  

There was a genuine display of delight and surprise by first-year Charles Sturt University (CSU) student, Ms Courtney Turner, when the 18 year old learnt of her $20 000 win in the ‘You + CSU’ competition. While at work for Australia Post in Wagga Wagga this week, Ms Turner was told she had won the competition. After attending Kooringal High School in 2012, Ms Turner received an early offer to study a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at CSU in Albury-Wodonga this year. In its second year, the ‘You + CSU’ competition required entrants to upload a video describing what their ultimate CSU experience would be like. In addition to winning $20 000 towards the cost of her first year education expenses, Ms Turner is the University’s Digital Ambassador for 2013. Ms Turner has credited one of the ideas in her video to her father. “My careers advisor at school let me know about the competition in the middle of last year,” Ms Turner said. “During a subsequent family brainstorming session, my father came up with the idea of world domination and I thought to use a white board and the Ten Commandments. Winning this competition will not only benefit me but help ease the financial pressure on my family at home.” Ms Turner plans to live on campus at Thurgoona during her first year at CSU. You can watch Ms Turner’s reaction to her win and view her winning 'Me + CSU = World Domination!' video here. Further information about how to apply to study at CSU is available here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will close for the Christmas-New Year break from 12.30pm on Friday 21 December and will re-open on Wednesday 2 January 2013. Best wishes to all our readers from the CSU Media team.

Students from a range of courses at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will graduate at a ceremony on Tuesday 11 December. The Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Dr Heather Robinson, said, “I’m delighted that 114 students from agricultural business management, pharmacy, clinical sciences and other courses, along with about 350 guests, will attend the Charles Sturt University graduation in Orange this year. Many of these graduates will take up employment in regional NSW and make a significant contribution to their communities.” The Occasional Address will be delivered by the federal Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health Services and Indigenous Health, The Hon. Dr Andrew Laming, MP.