Visiting UK historian Professor Clyde Binfield will speak about renowned architect Edwin Lutyens at a public lecture hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Friday 6 July. Lutyens buildings are found in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, the United States and India. Presented in association with the Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society Riverina Inc. and Wagga City Council, the lecture will explore the rise, fall, and rise again of Lutyens’ reputation. Professor Binfield believes architecture should be read, explained and enjoyed, and, he says, for the historian, there can be no such thing as a boring building or a dull place.

Three international students have experienced the ultimate taste test, maturing their cheese making skills at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Cheese Factory. The students, Wai Yee Fung, Pei Leng Chong and Hooi Chee Tan from the University of Science, Malaysia (USM) gained experience in commercial cheese production during an eight-week internship at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus. The students, who are studying for degrees in food technology and chemical science at USM, have produced sample batches of Sorke, Paneer and Juusota cheeses, none of which are commercially available in Australia. The public’s tastebuds were tempted when these cheese varieties were ”taste tested” at the popular Farmers Markets in Wagga Wagga during the June long-weekend. Barry Lillywhite says it is possible these cheeses could go into full commercial production at the CSU Cheese Factory.

The finals of Animal Idol will be held on the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) tomorrow. The brainchild of Professor Martin Sillence in the CSU Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences School and course coordinator of the new Bachelor of Animal Science, Animal Idol has first year Animal Science students compete in an Australian Idol-style competition. “It is designed to improve presentation skills,” said Dr Sillence. “Each week a different topic is researched and I set a distinct theme and context. Once students gave a presentation aimed at school children, another was an ‘unplugged’ presentation with no power point or other electronic devices. There is a panel of judges drawn from CSU - perhaps one is a little bit ‘Marcia’, and two are a little bit ‘Dicko’. The students vote by SMS to eliminate one of the presentation teams. It is novel, but it seems to be working. I have been amazed by the standard of presentations and the way the students have improved from week to week.”

Wine innovation has arrived at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) with Dr Jim Hardie accepting the role as Professor of Winegrowing Innovation. Dr Hardie has more than 30 years experience in viticultural research and vineyard management including ten years with Brown Brothers Vineyards at Milawa in north east Victoria where he established the Whitlands Vineyard, a pioneering project in cool climate viticulture. Dr Hardie is a strong advocate of international collaboration, with particular interest in applying new knowledge and technology to produce premium quality wine and other grape products. Dr Hardie says his goal is “to accelerate the contribution of CSU and its collaborators in the NWGIC toward intellectual leadership and value-adding, high impact, technical innovation within the Australian wine industry”.

Team Barracuda took out the finals of Animal Idol on the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) last week. Each week, first year animal science students presented on a topic chosen by their course coordinator, with the added challenge of delivering their presentations in varying contexts, such as gearing the talk towards school children, or ‘unplugged’ without the benefit of electronic devices such as Powerpoint or overhead projection. The teams were then judged by an Australian Idol style panel. Cassandra Macdonald from Team Barracuda accepted the trophy, certificate and first prize of $1 000 at a barbecue last Friday 15 June, saying the experience was “good fun and a good experience. It definitely built up my confidence”.

Innovative and interesting jewellery pieces designed and produced by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be showcased at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Presented by the School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Continuum exhibition reveals the work of current CSU students studying Bachelor of Arts in jewellery. The exhibition will focus on the recent works of third year students who designed and manufactured pieces for Lee Lin Chin, the SBS World News presenter recognised in Australian fashion circles for her distinctive style. Ms Chin will also have the opportunity to select her favourite piece from the collection. The Continuum exhibition, located in the Art Gallery’s Art Education Room, will go on public display from Tuesday 19 June and will be officially opened on Friday 22 June at 6pm.

A decade of innovative Australian wine and grape research will be celebrated at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) located on Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus this week. A gala dinner on Wednesday 20 June will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the NWGIC, a collaborative project between CSU, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the New South Wales Wine Industry Association. A Wine and Grape Industry symposium, The NWGIC in the future of the Australian Wine Industry, will be held in conjunction with the celebrations on Thursday 21 June. Newly appointed head of the NWGIC Professor Thomas Henick-Kling says the past ten years have been marked by great success for the CSU collaborative project providing innovation and improved income for the Australian wine industry.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has enthusiastically welcomed the reformation of the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture (ACDA), which will develop strategies to raise the profile and strengthen student recruitment into agricultural science programs. CSU played a lead role in bringing about the reconvening of the ACDA. CSU Professor Jim Pratley, who was elected as interim Secretary-Treasurer, said the ACDA will increase opportunities for students. “There is a strong common view that there are exciting careers in agriculture and the job market is buoyant”. CSU Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences Head of School John Kent said, “We need Australia's best and brightest coming into agricultural studies to meet the challenges of the future, which includes feeding the rapidly increasing world population, coping with new technology as well as environmental and climate changes”.

Freyer Colvin, a second year Equine Sciences student at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus, is also a skilled young horse rider who will soon represent Australia at two elite international equine competitions. Ms Colvin, as a member of the Australian Pony Club’s under 21 team, will compete at the one day Interpacific Rally in the United States on Tuesday 17 July. Freyer will then go on to the Nation’s Cup showjumping competition two weeks later in Washington State. Freyer, who has been riding horses since the age of six, says she is excited about her forthcoming trip, and proud to fly the flag for Australia, CSU, her home town of Launceston, and the state of Tasmania. The 19 year old says the excellent equine facilities located at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus allows her to achieve her academic goals while at the same time continuing to train and compete at an elite level.