The Booranga Writers’ Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) is seeking contributions for a new anthology of writing exploring issues of cultural diversity and representation. The Centre is partnering with The Multicultural Council of Wagga to publish Riverina Multicultural Voices with funding from Regional Arts NSW. Booranga Writers’ Centre Director, Dr Derek Motion, said local writers from a non-Anglo-Celtic background are invited to contribute original work. “This might be poetry, fiction, non-fiction, a script or song lyrics, anything that can be defined as writing,” he said. “In recent years the Riverina region has become increasingly culturally diverse, and this publishing venture will locate the range of different voices in our region.” The Centre also plans to hold a series of writing workshops to help writers get work ready for publication in the book. Submissions must be received before the end of March and the book will be launched in August at the Wagga Wagga City Library.

With an audience of 250 students from universities across Australia and New Zealand, the new Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Professor Andrew Vann will attend a pharmacy conference opening in Wagga Wagga as one of his first official duties in the new role. The University is hosting the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) Congress 2012 from Sunday 22 January to Saturday 28 January, a first for regional Australia. Planning for the event stems back to 2010 when the University’s student club, Pharmers' Society won a bid to host the Congress. The Congress will be attended by students and recent graduates from pharmacy programs at universities in Australia and New Zealand. The opening will take place from 9am to 11am on Monday 23 January at Joyes Hall at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Read more about NAPSA Congress 2012 on CSU News here. Read more pharmacy news on CSU News here.

NSW Minister for Small Business, the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson, MP, will launch Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) newest business degree, the Graduate Certificate of Small Business Management in Wagga Wagga tomorrow, Wednesday 26 October. Ms Hodgkinson, who is also the Minister for Primary Industries, will be joined at the launch by Ms Yasmin King, the NSW Commissioner for Small Business who is currently conducting a listening tour throughout the state. CSU's Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management offers students access to industry peers, market leaders and other leading resources. On the eve of the launch, the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber has appointed course director Dr Lan Snell as an ex officio Board Member in recognition of CSU's contribution to the Wagga Wagga business community.  “The launch has already received an overwhelming show of support through the heavy representation of industry and local bodies,” Dr Snell said. “It shows how much support for small business there is in the region.”

The stage is set for 21 acting students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) to perform for a local audience before auditioning in front of industry representatives in Sydney. The ‘2011 Showcase’ is the culmination of three years of study for the graduating students of the Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage). Held at the Riverina Playhouse in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 27 October, the show will feature short scenes from contemporary plays, with a mix of comedy and drama. Lecturer with the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. Ms Kim Hardwick said students  will next week begin job hunting with a performance for industry professionals in Sydney. “We have theatrical and casting agents, managers, producers and directors coming along,” she said “For most students this is their first contact with industry professionals. It gives them experience in auditioning and casting calls, while marketing their talents.”

Music, sunset and the leafy surrounds of the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens will set the scene for a recital by members of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music as part of the public lecture series hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU).  The ‘Music under the leaves’ recital, on Friday 4 November, will feature works for a combination of flute, guitar, violin, viola, bass, drums and vocals. Musicians Mr Jeff Donovan, Ms Tamaris Pfeiffer, Ms Lauren Davis, and Mr Brett Thompson will perform along with jazz ensemble The Conmen. Ms Davis said the informal setting means families will be able to come along and enjoy the recital. “This is a wonderful opportunity to sit outside and listen to a wide variety of music in a beautiful location,” she said. “As a musician it is a good way to reach a wider audience and promote a greater interest in music.” CSU wine and cheese will be served after the performance.

The pressures facing girls from intense marketing, popular culture, technology and the ‘cult of celebrity’ will be among the issues discussed during a free public forum to be held in Wagga Wagga this evening, Tuesday 25 October. Hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Wagga Wagga City Council, the forum will hear from a panel of local experts on the topic, What’s Happening To Our Girls? The forum is part of the Edversations Professional Forum organised by the School of Education at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The discussion will be held from 6pm to 8pm in the Council Meeting Room, Civic Centre, Baylis Street in Wagga Wagga. The members of the panel are: social work lecturer Ms Ruth Bailey from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga; Principal of Wagga Wagga High School (WWHS) Mr Michael Powell; WWHS 2012 School Captain Ms Laura Byrne; and allied health professional from Riverina Headspace, Ms Jessica Samways.

In a bid to promote health and fitness, Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff will take part in the annual ‘Lake to Lagoon fun run and family cycle’ in Wagga Wagga on Sunday 11 September. Nearly 40 staff and their families will run, walk or cycle the 9.5 kilometres from Lake Albert to the Civic Centre at Wollundry Lagoon. The Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the University’s Wagga Wagga Campus is co-ordinating the CSU team for the event. Committee secretary, Ms Katie Richardson, said the event highlights the University’s commitment to health and safety while supporting the community. “It’s a great opportunity for staff and students to meet outside of work or study,” she said. “It also provides a chance to form networks within the Wagga community.”  CSU encourages staff and students to maintain a healthy lifestyle with gym and pool facilities, influenza vaccination programs and up-to-date health information and advice.

Hair, eyebrows and beards were bleached and coloured at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange and Wagga Wagga on Friday 26 August all in the name of raising money for cancer research and patient support. The activities, held at CSU in support of Daffodil Day, raised nearly $2 400 for the NSW Cancer Council. The fundraising was organised by Charles Sturt Campus Services and the Residential Support Scheme at CSU. “There is a competitive streak between staff across the University so we organised a ‘fund-off’ to raise money for the Cancer Council. A total of $510.25 was raised at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, $841.65 in Bathurst and $1 030.70 was raised in Wagga Wagga,” said Ms Vanessa Conlin, a Residential Operations Officer.  In addition to the temporary ‘hair salons’ for the bleaching and colourings, staff also sold daffodils and pins in support of the annual Daffodil Day event.

If you are over 65 and you have had a fall in that past 12 months, or are a relative or friend of someone who has, you can take part in research at Charles Sturt University (CSU) that looks at your experiences related to the fall. Ms Kristy Robson, a podiatry academic with the CSU’s School of Community Health  and Centre for Inland Health is looking for participants specifically from Albury, Corowa, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Coleambally, Boorowa, Young and Moama as part of her PhD research project. Ms Robson, who is based in Albury, said it is estimated that between 30 and 60 per cent of older people living in the community will experience a fall each year. “It is therefore important we try and understand why this is occurring, particularly for people living in inland communities of Australia. Most current research is based on the opinions of health experts. We want to collect stories from diverse inland communities which have widely spread people and health services. Programs developed for metropolitan situations might not be appropriate for our regional communities.” To participate in the CSU research project, contact Ms Wendy Rose Davison on telephone (02) 6051 9232.