The Internet is often described as ”interactive” but what does that really mean? A public lecture to be presented by Charles Sturt University Division of Student Services deputy director Les Burr will look at the way the internet is rapidly becoming a commodity and its users are becoming consumers. Latest research has found that more female students go online than male students, as do older students compared to younger ones. Students from rural areas use the Internet more than their city-based counterparts. “This is a direct contradiction of the three things that are said to be hurdles to studying online, that it is male-dominated, that it is only for the young and that those living in rural areas are disadvantaged,” says Mr Burr The lecture will be held at the Tumbarumba Shire Council Chambers, Tumbarumba on Wednesday 28 March from 6pm.

Is mathematics and romance linked? Can numbers really influence your dating life? In the context of human behaviour, mathematics can provide unique and exciting insights. Residents of Wagga Wagga are invited to attend a dalliance at a Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Wagga Wagga City Council public lecture by Dr Clio Cresswell, a well known mathematician, author and writer who features regularly on television, radio and in print. Dr Cresswell will use equations to explain love, marital bliss and even the number of dates attendants should enjoy before settling down. The lecture will be held at Wagga Wagga Civic Centre Historic Council Chambers from 6pm on Thursday 29 March. Lovers will not only leave with some great romance tips, but also a rekindled sense of how amazing mathematics is.

Several Charles Sturt University (CSU) Visual and Performing Arts students are hoping they get their break into the world of entertainment with the popular Australian Idol television show holding auditions at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus today Tuesday 3 April. CSU students have joined other hopeful performers, aged between 16 and 30, from across country NSW who have converged on Joyes Hall. It is the first Australian Idol audition to be held in Wagga Wagga and the Riverina region of NSW. Australian Idol judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson is providing his caustic comments and critical acclaim during today’s auditions. Production manager Claire Worlidge says “everybody has been really looking forward to the auditions; there’s a real buzz across the campus”.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will take over providing all services to its students such as sports clubs, medical, counselling and advisory on Wednesday 4 April. On the Wagga Wagga Campus, CSU Executive Director, Financial Services Jim Hackett will accept the handover of these services from local CSU Student Association president Bernie Moorehead. “CSU students will not notice any difference in the level of services they receive at the University with the change,” said Mr Hackett, who is also overseeing the takeover of student services across all CSU. “CSU has taken the stand that the student services provided by the CSU Student Association were an important part of the whole university experience, so the University has stepped in to continue these services, which are particularly important on our regional campuses.” The move has occurred as the result of the voluntary student unionism legislation passed last year by the Federal Government.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery has won a Blue-Gold Award at the recent Sydney International Wine Competition for its 2004 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, which was also named in the Top 100 Wines of the Competition. Wine Judge Kym Milne rated the CSU wine, produced from Hilltop grapes at the CSU Wagga Wagga Winery, as having very complex aromas and a very elegant palate. Mr Milne agreed with another judge, Robin Moody, who said the medium bodied dry red was a big wine that went well with food. CSU head winemaker Andrew Drumm said he was particularly pleased with the last comment as this was always one of his aims. CSU Winery’s 2003 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon has already won numerous awards but Mr Drumm believes 2004 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is a better wine. He believes the much sought after Blue-Gold Award is testament that CSU students are learning practices that are sought after within the Australian wine industry.

What is it like to be young and live in the inland city of Wagga Wagga? In keeping with the Charles Sturt University (CSU) pledge to enhance communities in rural and regional Australia, the voice of Wagga youth will be encouraged to speak out and be heard at an upcoming forum at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus. The forum aims to bring together CSU students and young people from the community to discuss issues of concern, opportunities, hopes and anticipations. High school students, teachers, parents and people from various youth and church groups have also been invited. It’s the second such event organised by the CSU Institute of Land, Water and Society, the Civic Trust of Wagga Wagga, members of MY CREW (Many Young Courageous Responsive Empowering Women) and Wagga City Councils’ Youth Voice Committee.

After more than three decades of outstanding service to Charles Sturt University (CSU) and its predecessor institutions, Human Resources executive director Mr Reg Shaw has retired from the world of tertiary education. A dinner, hosted by Vice-Chancellor Ian Goulter and attended by past and present CSU staff and students, recognised Mr Shaw’s contribution. Mr Shaw says, “I have been honoured to be part of Charles Sturt University and its predecessor institutions for the past 33 years. When I look back, it is with great fondness and feelings of satisfaction and achievement”. Mr Shaw is confident of an exciting future for CSU, observing “The University has reached a level of maturity and prosperity that I am sure will endure for many years to come and I wish it every success for the future”.

The country's top economic reform agency has called for the introduction of carbon taxes as a way to cut greenhouse emissions. The Productivity Commission, the Australian Government's principal review and advisory body on microeconomic policy and regulation, last week submitted the proposal to the Prime Minister's task force on emissions trading. Dr Roderick Duncan, lecturer in economics at Charles Sturt University (CSU), says if we are serious about cutting emissions, a carbon tax is inevitable. “But to reflect the true cost of our energy, we are going to have to drastically increase the price of petrol and electricity. People say they are very concerned about global warming, but when I tell them we could triple the price of energy, then they become a lot less enthusiastic.”

An export alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and NSW based Linden Valley Cheese will see CSU produced cheese sold in stores across the United States under the newly created Bidgee Cheese label. Five varieties of uniquely Australian flavoured cheeses - Forest Berry, Lemon Myrtle, Bush Tomato, Tasmanian Pepper Berry and Mint Bush - have been developed at the cheese factory on CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus. An initial shipment of 1.6 tonnes of Bidgee Cheese has been dispatched to California. CSU cheese maker Barry Lillywhite said, “It is great to have developed an alliance with this NSW based food exporter and the export deal offers an opportunity to have CSU produced Bidgee Cheese internationally recognised as a unique style of cheese”. Linden Valley Cheese spokesman Ian Lindsay said the export deal is, “Pioneering Australian cheese into mainstream US supermarkets and boutique food outlets and represents a significant export opportunity”. CSU cheeses in these flavours have already won a number of national awards.