Agribusiness firms on the NSW North Coast that want to make the most of Australia's free trade agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan and Korea can gain more information on opportunities on offer in an education program run by the Charles Sturt University Centre for Customs and Excise Studies.The program includes a workshop being run next week in Port Macquarie, which concentrates on market opportunities, provides technical training on the regulatory requirements to enter each market, and provides advice on how to best to manage their supply chains, so that producers retain maximum value in their businesses.The program will be led by CSU senior lecturer Mr Brent Juratowitch, and will run from 9am to 4 pm on Wednesday 15 February at CSU in Port Macquarie, MacInnes Rd, Port Macquarie. He will be accompanied by presenters from the private sector with relevant experience in claiming FTA market benefits.Mr Juratowitch said topics covered include market selection, market trends, product classification, tariffs and duties, valuation, regulations, supply chain management, and how to participate in Authorised Economic Operator schemes."The workshop is part of a six-week program that also includes online business forums, mentoring and tailored advice," he said."Once enrolled, a participant can access an online platform containing FTA fact sheets, business guides and other materials. They can then review this material in their own time and can contact presenters with specific questions relating to their business."The one-day program is subsidised by the Australian Government and supported by the Export Council of Australia. The full cost to participants is $100 which includes all the materials, workshop, business advice and mentoring. Participants can enroll online inthe FTA program.

With ever-increasing demand for courses in Port Macquarie, Charles Sturt University (CSU) is due to open a residential facility for 250 students for the beginning of Session One in February 2018.Located next to the Port Macquarie campus, three accommodation buildings will initially provide 112 rooms that include a bedroom with desk and ensuite bathroom for each student, communal lounge rooms and kitchens, and access to student recreational areas in a separate building.Head of CSU in Port Macquarie, Professor Heather Cavanagh, said the University was excited to be able to offer secure accommodation for students enrolled in various degrees at Port Macquarie including science, health, paramedic, business and social welfare."The accommodation is an important addition to the services on offer at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie, particularly for prospective students from outside the local area," said Professor Cavanagh.CSU will lease the facility from Sydney-based Chase Property Investments, which is working with commercial builder Intelligent Building Systems International, from Brisbane, to complete the planned facility which is due to total 250 beds by February 2018.The next academic session for students attending the Port Macquarie campus is due to commence with Orientation Week from Monday 20 February.

Charles Sturt University's (CSU) new campus in Port Macquarie will be officially opened by the Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP on Thursday 17 November 2016.Mr Hartsyker is the Member for Cowper and Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister and will be joined by CSU Chancellor Dr Michele Allan at the opening which will take place from 12pm to 2:30pm at CSU in Port Macquarie next Thursday.The official opening will be followed by more celebrations including a Schools Day for local year 7 high school students on Friday 18 November and a Community Open Day from 10am on Saturday 19 November.Head of Campus for CSU in Port Macquarie, Professor Heather Cavanagh said, "The official opening of our Major Innes Road campus is the culmination of five years of determined hard work and represents, to date, a $27 million investment by the University and a $20 million investment by the federal government in this region."Charles Sturt University already contributes significantly to the economy of the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area and we only expect this to increase over the coming 10 years."Having Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie is helping to establish our city as the centre for higher education and research on the Mid-North Coast."On Saturday 19 November, we invite all the community to come and explore our campus at Lake Innes. From 10am take the time to enjoy guided tours, food, entertainment and presentations about the courses on offer and the exciting plans for future development of the campus and facilities."CSU in Port Macquarie currently has more than 550 undergraduate students studying on campus and employs 93 people. With new courses available in 2017 and international students set to join the cohort for the first time, student numbers are expected to increase.CSU is a leader in regional higher education, offering people across NSW the opportunity to access professional education regardless of background or location. CSU's courses, graduates and research help our communities to thrive and prosper economically, socially and environmentally.

A new study funded through a Charles Sturt University (CSU) grant scheme has found that a playground in Port Macquarie is achieving its goal of social inclusion.Opened in 2014, Livvi's Place in Westport Park was planned and designed as an inclusive all-abilities play space by the group Touched by Olivia and Port Macquarie Hastings Council.Touched by Olivia funded the study through a $2 500 grant from CSU's Rural and Regional Community Initiated Research Grants Program. The not-for-profit group wanted to assess if Livvi's Place was meeting its goals of social inclusion, including accessibility and inter-generational play.The research was undertaken by sociologist Dr Janice Ollerton, an independent researcher, and Associate Professor Rosemary Black from the School of Environmental Sciences at CSU in Port Macquarie.The study, involving 193 online and face-to-face surveys of park users during April and May 2016, found that Livvi's Place promotes a sense of social inclusion. During the research, users of the playground expressed feelings of safety, welcome and belonging.Dr Ollerton said, "We found that the main user group is families with children under 13 years and predominantly preschool-aged children. Livvi's Place is especially popular with families of children with disabilities."Professor Black said, "We also found that Livvi's Place encourages its users to be themselves, live in the moment, and enjoy their experiences there."The friendships formed, conversations started, and playful interactions experienced at Livvi's Place demonstrate how it helps people connect and become members of the local community."Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Director Ms Tricia Bulic said, "Livvi's Place is a playground destination of choice for locals and visitors alike, and Council are pleased to have partnered with the community to provide such a safe, welcoming and interactive play space that all families can enjoy."The findings also revealed that people recognised creative learning took place through play at Livvi's Place and together with the relationships forged at the playground, suggests it's a space where people can feel part of the local community.Areas for improvement were identified by some respondents that, if implemented, may enhance inclusive play and improve the safety aspects of Livvi's Place.The Rural and Regional Community Initiated Research Grants Program is part of CSU's Community-University Partnerships (CUP), which aims to support the development of the regions. Read more about the grants available through CUP here.

Working part-time in a local butchery as a teenager has given Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Mr Macky Lawrence, from Kempsey, a better appreciation than most of what makes a good cut of meat.This knowledge came to the fore at the recent Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Competition at CSU in Wagga Wagga.The Bachelor of Agricultural Science student was selected in the national training squad and has the chance to be selected in the Australian team to tour the United States next year.More than 130 students from ten Australian universities, along with teams from the United States, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia took part in the ICMJ competition held at CSU in Wagga Wagga.The annual event is held by the Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association to highlight the diverse range of careers in the meat industry."I met so many different people taking part in the competition," said Mr Lawrence. "Other university students who are studying similar degrees to me, alongside industry professionals who will provide great links and networks in the years to come."Students are required to judge beef, lamb and pork carcasses and primal cuts, along with identifying a range of beef primals and beef, lamb and pork retail cuts.Mr Lawrence was part of the 15 member CSU meat judging team made up of students from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, which trained for three months leading up to the competition."A big thank you to my coaches who got up at ridiculous hours in the morning for training sessions in the lecture rooms or at the abattoir," he said. "I highly recommend the competition for people in considering it in future years."Mr Lawrence said it might sound like an unusual extra-curricular activity but meat judging is a great way to learn more about an industry he's passionate about."Living on a family owned beef cattle property in the Macleay Valley I wanted to know more about what happens to our product from paddock to plate," Mr Lawrence said."Taking part in this program has shown me the end result we should be aiming for to meet consumer demand.""It's also shown me what we as producers can do to help processors deliver what consumers want, that is, a consistent premium product".The national training for the Australian squad will be held in Brisbane on Saturday 20 August to Wednesday 24 August.

In conjunction with Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Foundation Day, the 2016 Wellness and Wellbeing Expo will be held in Port Macquarie on Wednesday 20 July.The Expo is part of CSU's holistic approach to workplace health and safety. Similar events have been held across the University.Staff and students will have the chance to obtain information on numerous health and wellbeing services available to them at the University and in the local community, as well as attend workshops on yoga or Zumba.Foundation Day is also a University-wide event to celebrate its past, present and future. At Port Macquarie, there will be a Wear Red, Go Red, Eat Red Day from 10am to 2.30pm in the courtyard.Further information about Foundation Day is available in CSU News here. More information about the 2016 Wellness and Wellbeing Expo is available here.

Prominent Australian author and social commentator Dr Hugh Mackay (pictured) will deliver an Exploration Series public lecture hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie on Monday 9 November.Dr Mackay will consider the nature of communities, social cohesion, and the concept of connectedness, as explored in his latest book The Art of Belonging, in which he proposes it's not where you live, but how you live.Head of Campus at CSU in Port Macquarie Professor Heather Cavanagh said, "Dr Mackay's presentation is the fourth lecture in the Explorations Series in Port Macquarie for 2015. These public lectures aim to share the latest thinking with the community and encourage people to think about issues facing society today. As a social researcher and author Dr Mackay has published 16 books, has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and awarded honorary doctorates by Charles Sturt University and three other universities. I encourage all to attend for a thought-provoking presentation."This free CSU Explorations Series public lecture will be at The Glasshouse (level 2, meeting rooms) on the corner of Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie, from 5pm to 7pm Monday 9 November. Tickets are free and available now from the Glasshouse box office.

A further opportunity for students to access courses at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie has been confirmed this week. CSU and North Coast TAFE have finalised an agreement to offer the CSU Pathway Program (Diploma of General Studies) in Port Macquarie starting in 2016. The diploma is a unique 12-month course that provides students who might not otherwise be eligible for entry to CSU, or who need additional preparation, the opportunity to receive guaranteed entry into most CSU degrees. The diploma is run in partnership with TAFE and has had more than 330 enrolments since its inception in 2010. Director of Academic Success at CSU Ms Liz Smith said, "We're really excited that the Diploma of General Studies will be available in Port Macquarie from 2016. This diploma is currently offered in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Bathurst and Blacktown, and has been seeing great results from students keen to take advantage of a pathway to their chosen degree. There are many reasons students don't meet the entry criteria to university and this program provides an excellent opportunity for school leavers especially. Not getting the ATAR you hoped for doesn't mean that university isn't an option." Students can apply for the Diploma of General Studies now at http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/diploma-of-general-studies or enquire on 1800 334 733.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a Christian-Muslim inter-faith dialogue between two theology scholars in Port Macquarie on Saturday 5 September. The forum is part of a national series sponsored by the CSU Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACCC) in Canberra. It will feature CSU Professor of Theology the Reverend Professor James Haire, AC, KSJ, and leading Indonesian Muslim scholar and public intellectual Professor Azyumardi Azra, CBE. Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers, Chair of the Board of the ACCC and former CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), will chair the forum titled 'Can Christianity and Islam Co-exist? A National Dialogue'. The Executive Director of the ACCC, the Right Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard said, "This important and timely dialogue will address Christian-Muslim relations in the Australian-Indonesian context and seek to build fresh understanding of how people of different faiths and cultures can grow together in understanding and appreciation of one another." Registration on 6581 8888 is essential for this free forum which will be from 6pm to 8pm Saturday 5 September in the Ross Family Studio at The Glasshouse 32/40 Clarence Street Port Macquarie.