Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff will explore their skills as middle level managers after securing places in an Australia-wide industry-based leadership training program. Mrs Debra Bell, from the Division of Human Resources at CSU in Wagga Wagga, and Ms Amanda Davies, from the School of Policing Studies at CSU in Goulburn, were awarded scholarships valued at $8 000 each in the Australian Applied Management Colloquium. As part of the six-month intensive management development program, the women will attend two residential schools at Thurgoona in May and again in October. Mrs Bell said, “I am excited to secure a place in the competitive program and to explore my middle management skills and gain further confidence with people from other organisations. Charles Sturt University has also supported staff involvement in the program.” Ms Davies said, “The opportunity to participate in this management development program complements the University’s commitment to support rural and regional communities, and enhance workplace management capacities.”

CSU Media wishes all our readers a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year. The team says a big ‘thank you’ for your support of CSU News during 2008. CSU Media is looking forward to an exciting 2009 when CSU will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Charles Sturt University will be closed from 12.30pm Wednesday 24 December until 9am Monday 5 January 2009.

If the thought of a 25 metre tapeworm is enough to make you squirm then a seminar by Dr David Jenkins from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences may give a new perspective on these parasites. The Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is hosting the seminar, ‘What you should know about tapeworms but were too afraid to ask’ in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 19 April.  In his entertaining presentation, Dr Jenkins will examine the life cycles of taeniid cestodes, a group of tapeworm of medical and veterinary importance. These tapeworms infect humans and animals, ranging in size from 3 millimetres to 25 metres. A Senior Research Fellow at CSU, Dr Jenkins has spent 30 years researching tapeworm and hydatid control in Australia and overseas. “Along with providing information about a selection of these wonderful animals, the seminar will give a few life style suggestions to reduce your chances of becoming infected at home or abroad,” he said.

An exhibition of contemporary Australian prints will be featured at Joyes Hall at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga during graduation week. The fair & square print exchange portfolio has been compiled by Melbourne artist Ms Rona Green and features prints from 44 artists. Ms Green asked other artists to create a new work and she’s given them to the CSU Art Collection through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. CSU Art Curator, Thomas A. Middlemost, says it’s a snapshot of Australian printmaking. “The exhibition includes portraits, landscapes and abstract art,” he said. “The portfolio will give greater contemporary depth to the extensive body of printmaking in the CSU Art Collection.”  The CSU Art Collection is comprised of twentieth century Australian works used for research and teaching. The fair & square exhibition opening will be held at Joyes Hall CSU in Wagga Friday 1 April at 6pm. It will be on display to the public during graduation from Wednesday 30 March to Friday 1 April and throughout April by appointment with the CSU Art Curator on 02 6925 3666.

It was a true a celebration for one Wagga Wagga family during the graduation season at Charles Sturt University (CSU). Mrs Susan Moi was awarded a Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare) on Thursday 31 March. During the same ceremony, her daughter, Ms Yangi Moi, was awarded a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours Class 2 Division 1. In addition, Ms Moi received the Lila Kirilik Social Action Memorial Award for 2010.  The annual prize was awarded by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga to Ms Moi for demonstrating social justice in her workplace learning at Centrelink in 2010. During her placement with the agency, Ms Moi researched a framework for providing support during emergencies in rural Australia, such as bushfires, droughts or farm accidents. A Centrelink working party is now examining how to implement the framework. Ms Moi is a youth liaison worker at one of Wagga Wagga’s welfare agencies. “I enjoy working with young people and have a passion for helping people,” said Ms Moi. As her four children got older, Mrs Moi began her studies at the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute before completing her degree at CSU last year. She is now a domestic violence worker in Wagga Wagga.

Members of the Philosophy Group at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will stage a public philosophy performance and dinner on Tuesday 24 April to promote philosophical discussion in an amicable environment. Dr Emma Rush, a lecturer at the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences,  said, “The presentation of the topic, ‘Wisdom in the Age of Technology’, in a pleasant setting with food and wine, reflects that of a Platonic symposium. Dr Edward Spence, lecturer and researcher at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries will give a 30-minute talk on the origins and sources of wisdom in ancient Greece and its relevance and importance in our lives in the Information Age. This will be followed by a 30-minute performance of an original philosophy play, Wise After the Fact. Following the talk and the play, the audience is invited to participate through lively discussion.” The Philosophy Group at CSU runs a weekly seminar series in Wagga Wagga during academic semesters.

The winner of the first Veterinary Science Medal at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has endorsed the veterinary science program. “The course, which began in 2005, has achieved what it set out to do,” said the recently graduated veterinarian, Dr Greg Dale. “That is, produce veterinarians who want to live and work in regional Australia to deliver veterinary services.” Dr Dale should know. “I grew up in Sydney and I have no desire to return to the big smoke. I have recently accepted a job at Kempsey in regional NSW. Members of the inaugural veterinary science class at Charles Sturt University secured jobs prior to their graduation last week and everyone is working in regional Australia. The highlights of the new program include its practical component. Not just working in clinics, but spending time on farms has broadened our experience, and given us a better understanding of animal production systems. I believe this has provided us with the grounding to offer relevant advice and practical solutions to producers.” Dr Dale also praised the new purpose-built facilities at CSU, including the Kay Hull Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Veterinary Clinical Centre.   

For the second successive year, a small group of Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will take the skills acquired during their studies to help young Fijians living in an orphanage in the capital Suva. Three students from St Martin’s College at CSU in Wagga Wagga will spend a week from Saturday 25 June volunteering at St Christopher’s Orphanage. Head of St Martin’s College, the Reverend Jenny Willsher is organising and participating in the trip. “This volunteer work will assist the students to further develop leadership skills and give them an opportunity to learn more about themselves and how they can be more effective in their own communities – especially rural Australia, once they have completed their Charles Sturt University studies.” The three volunteers include arts and education students from Armidale, Leeton and Sydney. At the orphanage, they will work in the pre-school, undertake tutoring of primary and high school students as well as do some cleaning and work in the vegetable gardens. “This year we have also been asked to help cover the university fees for one of the girls from St Christopher’s who is studying medicine with the Fiji School of Medicine,” said Rev. Willsher. “Students from St Martin’s College are currently fundraising. We will take all funds raised with us when we visit.”

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) National Radio News (NRN) was Highly Commended in the ‘Excellence in the Spoken Word’ category by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) at its annual conference in November 2006. NRN manager, Mr Peter Hetherington, said “The highly commended award is a well deserved result for the whole NRN team which consists of only three full-time journalists and six casual cadets who are CSU communications students.” Mr Hetherington said this was the first time in several years NRN has entered in any awards. “It lifted the morale of the staff to be competing on a national level, with the standard of the NRN entries very high. It also showcased the ability of cadet staff to a broader audience, and demonstrates the unique news experience NRN offers to students who are selected for cadetships.”