Work on a pig farm in southern NSW during student placements from 2005 to 2008 encouraged a Charles Sturt University (CSU) veterinary science student’s interest in the pork industry and has led to her being awarded an all-expenses paid study trip to Canada. Fifth-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science student Ms Jill Groat has been named the winner of the Australian pork industry’s biennial Doug Ross Travel and Study Award. Supported by Australian Pork Ltd, the award honours the late veterinarian Mr Doug Ross and his work for the pig industry. Ms Groat is the first student to win the award, which she will use to attend the International Pig Veterinary Society Congress in Vancouver, Canada, from Sunday 18 to Tuesday 20 July, and to build contacts in the industry. From the small town of Rankins Springs in the Riverina, Ms Groat gained her first experience working with pigs during voluntary work experience at a piggery at Young the year before she began the veterinary science course at CSU in Wagga Wagga. “The award is very exciting and I particularly hope to bring back knowledge about the management of pigs in cold climates,” Ms Groat said.

A mental health worker from the remote Pilbara region of Australia’s far northwest has been honoured by Charles Sturt University (CSU) for her achievements in the unique Djirruwang Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Program. Ms Katie Papertalk is the first Western Australian student in the University’s Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) degree to receive a Faculty of Science Dean’s Award. Students who have achieved consistent Distinctions or High Distinctions are nominated for the award. In a ceremony in the Marr Mooditj Foundation garden in Perth, Ms Papertalk was presented the Dean’s Award by the Djirruwang Program Director Mr Wayne Rigby. “Receiving a Dean’s Award is a proud moment for any student and for an Aboriginal student it is an honour for themselves as well as their family and community,” Mr Rigby said. Since its inception as a pilot program in southern NSW in 1994, the Djirruwang Program has graduated 111 mental health workers. “With the support of the WA Department of Health, Charles Sturt University expects a record student intake from Western Australia in 2011,” said Mr Rigby.

Four television production students and an acting student from Charles Sturt University (CSU) have returned to CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus on the weekend after testing their television production skills at the world’s biggest sporting event for four weeks at the Beijing Olympics. The students were employed as camera operators and production support staff on the Olympic Green in the Chinese capital. The third year students have hailed their time at the Olympic Games as a wonderful opportunity as they prepare to embark on their careers at the end of the year. “We loved going into work each day during the Olympics,” said television production student Ms Katrina Beesley. “The grounding that we had from CSU lecturers gave us the professionalism we needed to work at the international event and that was reaffirmed by our employers. Hopefully, Beijing will be the first of many Olympics Games that we get to work on." The CSU School of Visual and Performing Arts, educates television production students for entry to the television industry.

International experience is a key objective of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in its education of students. Two CSU Bachelor of Pharmacy students, Mr Sam Ledger from Mudgee and Mr Lloyd Smith from Broken Hill, gained that when they attended the 7th Asia-Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium in Khon Kaen in northern Thailand in June and July. Eleven countries were represented at the Symposium along with numerous industry professionals, medical specialists and academics. “It was at a talk by Dr Jon Ungphakorn from the AIDS Access Foundation in Thailand  that we began to appreciate the afflictions and inequalities that exist in countries not as fortunate as Australia,” said Mr Ledger, who is also vice-president of the CSU student organisation, Pharmers' Club. The students have brought back plans for a communication workshop for CSU students and plans to promote international student exchange and student involvement in promoting awareness of public health issues.

Charles Student University (CSU) animal science students came face to face with the harsh reality of elephant cruelty and mistreatment during a visit to Thailand to undertake a project on wildlife conservation. The 18 day excursion in January centred on volunteer work at the Elephant Nature Park near Chang Mai in the country’s north. The park rescues maltreated, physically handicapped and mentally disturbed Asian elephants and provides a sanctuary for their rehabilitation. One agricultural science and 17 animal science students from CSU returned from the trip last week, recounting their cherished experiences being ‘up close and personal’ when feeding and washing the elephants. Course Coordinator of the CSU veterinary science program, Dr Gaye Krebs said the trip was an incredible learning experience and one student is planning to return to the park next year. “It was the impetus for one student to propose an Honours project with Lek, who runs the park, which is a fantastic outcome,” said Dr Krebs. “The trip went ahead with the assistance of CSU Global and the IGA supermarket at Hillston who donated $6 000 towards costs.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) wines were praised at a recent luncheon hosted by the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club Wine & Food Society. CSU winemaker Mr Andrew Drumm was invited to match a selection of CSU wines with food at the monthly dinner and to speak about the characteristics of the wines. The sold out event held on Wednesday 24 February catered for over 170 people and Mr Drumm said it was a great opportunity to showcase CSU wines to an appreciative audience of wine lovers. “The diners were particularly interested in The College Muscat which we served with dessert and this prompted a wide-ranging discussion about which state produces the best port.”

A grassroots energy saving project conducted in the School of Education at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga has reached its halfway mark, with preliminary results showing substantial cuts in electricity use. Energy use has been reduced over a two-week period by between 16 per cent and as much as 74 per cent, with an average reduction per staff member of 37 per cent. “While energy-savvy, many of the 16 participants have been surprised by the amount of energy that can be saved by simply switching off a power point,” said the project’s leader, Ms Barbara Conlan. “We also hope to raise student awareness about the energy saving, which will hopefully encourage energy saving behaviour within the education institutions in which they will work.” Mr William Adlong, Manager of CSU Green, which coordinates the grant scheme, said, “The University aims to reduce its energy consumption by 10 per cent and to reduce its water use by 25 per cent by 2011. Initiatives such as this project will help us reach these targets."

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) research and teaching links with Pakistan will be highlighted when the High Commissioner of Pakistan visits Wagga Wagga on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 October. CSU has forged strong relationships with Pakistan in the areas of animal and veterinary sciences and water. The High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Jalil Abbas Jilani, will meet the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Sue Thomas. The senior diplomat will also meet CSU researchers from the University’s International Centre of Water for Food Security (IC WATER) and the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation. He will tour the campus including the Veterinary Clinical Centre, and visit Coleambally in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA).

The CSU Media team welcomes you to 2010. We hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and that the year ahead is a healthy one.