Charles Sturt University (CSU) senior lecturer in Human Movement Studies, Dr Deborah Clarke wishes NSW  students well in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams but knows that good luck has very little to do with the outcome. “It’s all about preparation and these students have spent the past year preparing for these exams in one way or another,” she says. “The ones that often do well are those who have done the extra work, using resources such as study groups, tuition in their weaker subjects and online services.” Dr Clarke has been involved in the continued development of online resource, NSW HSC Online. “This is a great preparation tool for students with practice exam papers and relevant study material for 61 HSC subjects.” Developed in collaboration with the NSW government through Education and Communities, NSW HSC Online provides access to quality education resources for all students, particularly those in rural and regional areas.

The largest group of staff from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will gather for Ride to Work 2011 at Bill’s Beans café on Wednesday 12 October. More than 15 staff members will leave their vehicles at home for the event. Lecturer from the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Orange and bicycle enthusiast Dr James Wickham has organised local support for the event and is thrilled that other staff members will join him on what is his daily ride to work. “Charles Sturt University supports sustainability and, even though our offices are some of the furthest from the CBD, we have a large number of staff members who ride regularly to work in any weather conditions.” The group will leave Bills Beans café at 8.15am and plan to ride into the CSU front gate at 8.30am.

The FalconCam Project is reaching new heights with a family of Peregrines currently located in the water tower at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange. Three eggs recently hatched and every move the as yet un-named chicks make is being captured on cameras and the live footage can be viewed around the world. “Our website is receiving 950 to 1 100 visitors per day which is about seven times more than the normal daily average,” explains project coordinator Mr Scott Banks. “We have been receiving comments and well-wishes from around the world including Canada, USA, Netherlands and Poland.” A public screen and information was recently set up at the CSU Library 24-hour Learning Commons area. “There’s 24/7 nest coverage now thanks to the updating of software for the website.” Updating the software and the recent purchase of a new high definition camera has all been made possible from fundraising. “One of our biggest benefactors, the 30 Squadron Beaufighter Association will visit Charles Sturt University later this month so we can show them the project.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic Dr Cilla Kinross will welcome the public to the first Wetland and Streambank Field Day on Saturday 22 October as part of her work with the Summer Hill Creek Care group and the Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA). Topics will include identification of wetland and riparian, or stream bank plant species, frog monitoring, rehabilitation techniques and weed control.  “People will get the chance to get their hands dirty and help plant wetland species while learning about how and what to plant in the wetlands at their place,” said Dr Kinross from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Orange. Specialists will be on hand during the day to answer questions. The day will start at 9.30am with morning tea and run until 2pm.  Lunch will be provided and will have a ‘wetlands’ theme of duck soup and watercress salad plus a barbecue. “We encourage everyone to bring their gumboots and a hand trowel as it will be a hands-on kind of day.”  

The newly formed Orange Equestrian Club (OEC) will hold its first sporting event at the Equine Management Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Saturday 15 October. “We’d like to encourage the Orange community to join the Club,” said Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management student at CSU and OEC treasurer, Mr Dennis Kunz. “Orange has a strong equine presence and, with the establishment of this group, we hope to offer more competition and educational events for the community.” The OEC sporting day will include barrel racing, bending, flag racing, apple bobbing and an egg and spoon race. “It’s a fun way to let people know about the Club and to announce details of the OEC Dressage and Showjumping Clinic to be held on Saturday 19 November with internationally renowned instructor Ms Megan Joerg.”  

With the Australian carbon tax on the horizon, Charles Sturt University (CSU) will provide an international perspective on how businesses can effectively account for their energy costs with a presentation on Wednesday 3 August. Professor Ulrich Nissen, from the University of Applied Science in Germany, will give a presentation on accounting for energy costs. Event organiser Dr Dianne McGrath with CSU’s School of Accounting and Institute for Land, Water and Society said Australian companies acknowledge they need to account for current and future energy costs. “This is where accounting professionals can assist. Business managers and accountants will need to develop skills and qualifications in energy cost management for now and especially the future, issues Professor Nissen has recently addressed by modifying university teaching in accounting in Germany,” Dr McGrath said. Professor Nissen’s presentation will commence at 9am until 11am on Wednesday 3 August via video conference in the Business Faculty building, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

Three students studying dental science, medical radiation science and journalism at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst, Orange and Wagga Wagga have been named the winners of the inaugural Residence Life International Travel Scholarships.  The new competitive scholarship scheme was established to recognise the outstanding work and commitment to continual improvement demonstrated by students within the CSU Halls of Residence.  Mr Oran Yota, a Bachelor of Dental Science student  in Orange, will use his $2 500 scholarship for a trip to Wattana Hospital in northeast Thailand. “I will be looking at the hospital’s dental programs, how dentists are perceived in other cultures and how they teach people in the local community,” Mr Yota said. Ms Madeline Jensen, a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science student at CSU in Wagga Wagga, will put her $1 250 scholarship towards an overseas volunteering program in Vietnam working with orphans with disabilities in June. Ms Gabrielle Timmins, a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) student in Bathurst, has also been awarded $1 250. She is developing a documentary examining young entrepreneurs in India, sustainable tourism initiatives and the transformation of rural India.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is addressing the critical need for professionals in regional Australia, such as accountants and nurses, with a program that encourages TAFE diploma students to enrol in CSU degrees. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers said CSU will guarantee entry into most of its undergraduate courses to people who have completed diplomas and advanced diplomas from any TAFE institution in Australia. “In addition, TAFE students who have also completed a Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) and gained  a Tertiary Entrance Score of 157 or over are also eligible for guaranteed entry into Charles Sturt University undergraduate courses,” Professor Chambers said. This program is in addition to the existing scholarship program between CSU and a number of regional and metropolitan TAFE institutions across NSW and Victoria. “Charles Sturt University is committed to supporting the aspirations of TAFE graduates.  It provides pathways to its professional degrees from TAFE diplomas and advanced diplomas based on substantial credit for prior learning,” Professor Chambers said.  

Students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange are raising money in support of the endangered bird, the Peregrine Falcon. They recently held a bar night and movie night which raised $500 for the CSU Peregrine Falcon Fund. “The students are pleased to be able to assist and would be happy to organise another fundraising opportunity down the track,” said CSU student support officer, Mr Nik Granger. More than 70 students attended the evening, which included a talk on the Peregrine Falcons and screening of the recently launched FalconCam Project film before the main feature film, The Hangover. President of the Orange Student Representative Committee (OSRC), Ms Ally Horan, said that the committee matched the funds raised by students increasing the contribution to the project to $1 000.