Ms Mary Madden has returned to where her pharmacy career began, Charles Sturt University (CSU). Among the first pharmacy graduates from CSU in 2001, Ms Madden is now working at the University as an associate lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences in Wagga Wagga. She worked in community and hospital pharmacy before joining CSU in 2007. “I had reached the stage in my career where I wanted to do more,” Ms Madden said. “I was looking into research before I secured a position at CSU.” Ms Madden’s research focuses on risk management in pharmacy, minimizing human error, and the decision making process when errors occur. Also new to the pharmacy program at CSU is Dr Hassan Obied, a lecturer in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics in the School of Biomedical Sciences. He graduated from Tanta University (TU) in Egypt in 2000. He worked at TU and then completed his PhD at CSU in 2007 which focussed on the discovery of new bio-phenols in Australian olives with potential anti-cancer activity and accepted a teaching position in 2008. His research interests and expertise are in the areas of plant bio-phenols and the role of antioxidants in prevention and treatment of disease.  

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is making recruiting potential officers from all sectors of the community to the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) a little easier with the donation of a high profile vehicle. The eye-catching Holden Rodeo will be used by the NSWPF Recruitment Branch as a mobile advertising tool. It will be formally presented to NSWPF by CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers, during a ceremony to swear in the latest probationary constables at the NSW Police College in Goulburn on Friday 29 August. CSU, together with NSWPF, delivers the Associate Degree in Policing Practice, which is the recruit training program for people wanting to join the NSW Police Force. The vehicle will be driven state-wide for career markets, expos and displays. “CSU is delighted to deliver this vehicle to the NSWPF as a symbol of our long-standing and important relationship to educate and train police officers for NSW,” said Professor Chambers. General Manager of NSWPF Recruitment Branch, Inspector Tony Malone, said they wanted a vehicle that would turn heads. “We want to draw attention to NSWPF Recruitment and to our contact details. The Rodeo is proving to be a great marketing tool."

Plans to establish a Connemara Pony Stud at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are well underway with the arrival of four mares and one stallion at CSU’s Equine Centre in August. The stud will produce horses suitable for veterinary science, animal science and equine students to handle, train and manage as part of their course. Equine science lecturer at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in Wagga Wagga, Mr Hunter Doughty, said “Many students have had little exposure to horse handling and horse reproduction so it is important for them to develop confidence. The Connemara pony is ideal because it is smaller and not as intimidating as larger horses”. Stallion Wychwood Willy Wagtail from Port Augusta has been leased for the 2008 and 2009 breeding season. Of the four purebred mares, one has been donated and three are on loan. “The collaboration between the Connemara Pony Breeders Association of Australia and CSU’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences is a great promotion of the breed and there are numerous research opportunities that will not only benefit the breed in Australia but internationally, given the limited gene pool of the breed, ” said Mr Doughty.

Twelve speakers from all over Australia will meet at Riverina Playhouse in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 August to discuss the state of play in Australian arts. The meeting, Symposia 08, will be opened by Professor David Green, Head of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus. Speakers include youth commentator Mr Craig Schuftan from ABC’s national youth radio station Triple J, Sydney-based designer Mr Eddy Herringson, Mr Nick Pill from Rising Sun Pictures, Mr Justy Phillips from the Tasmanian School of Art, Ms Elli Ioannou from Elli Photography in Melbourne, and CSU lecturer and embroiderer Ms Julie Montgarrett. There will also be a student forum and live music during the event. To book a place at the conference, call (02) 6933 2589.

Predictions of a looming skills shortage in agriculture are being met head-on with twelve new students starting three-year research doctorate courses this year with the innovative agricultural research group, the EH Graham Centre in Wagga Wagga. As a partnership between Charles Sturt University and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, postgraduate education is essential to train the next generation of scientists and researchers who will be ready to meet the research and development needs of Australian agriculture. Director of the EH Graham Centre, Professor Deirdre Lemerle, said, "The Centre’s research into mixed farming - in plant and animal sciences - aims to generate new knowledge to underpin the capacity of farmers to manage risk in a changing environment". The new group of students, who bring the total number of students studying at the EH Graham Centre to 36, are focused on research including animal and crop production, pastures, socio-economic issues relating to the adoption of new technologies, and the impact of agriculture on the environment.

Local dental therapists and Charles Sturt University academics are encouraging children to grit their teeth and take on a seven day boot camp during Dental Health Week. Albury dental therapist Mrs Anne Pritchard is passionate about children's oral health having been an instrumental contributor to state-wide child health programs. "It's a fantastic initiative," says Mrs Pritchard. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) is conducting an online seven day dental boot camp offering a variety of dental health fact sheets and children's activity sheets to read and download. "The more parents and children know about their teeth and diet, the more they can help dental therapists in their job." Dental therapy has been in the news recently with CSU launching an Oral Health Therapy course in 2009.

Climate change and international markets are influencing the demand and supply of conserved fodder in Australia, and this year’s Riverina Outlook Conference will focus on the strategies needed to manage these changes. Hosted by the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Charles Sturt University (CSU), the conference will be held in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 14 August. EH Graham Centre Director, Professor Deirdre Lemerle said, “The aim of the event will be to highlight key issues that make the difference between profit and loss from conserved fodder. The Conference continues the long-standing tradition of highlighting future challenges for agriculture while offering suggestions and solutions to deal with them. Managing risks and the challenges of maintaining livestock production levels in a variable climate make the theme for this conference highly relevant to producers, agricultural advisors, consultants, educators and agricultural industry representatives.”  

For the first time, more than 80 sheep and lamb producers will converge on the NSW town of Cowra for Charles Sturt University's (CSU) annual Asia Today forum on Thursday 14 August 2008. Director of the CSU Asian Agribusiness Research Centre, Dr Claus Deblitz, says the day will cover all aspects of marketing lamb, from trends in the Asian markets to hearing from a local marketing group on their ability to lift returns. Dr Deblitz said, “Cowra is an important town within CSU’s region, with many of its residents studying at one of its campuses, so this is why we decided to hold this major conference there. Two areas which will receive attention on the day are the threats from and opportunities offered by climate change and current developments and their consequences for grain markets.” said Dr Deblitz. “We are delighted to be able to bring such a major conference to the local area, and given the high standard of speakers we hope local lamb and sheep meat producers will take part in these discussions.“

Not only are Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) wines rated among some of the best in the country, but the ‘Cellar Door’ on the Wagga Wagga Campus has been hailed as one of the top four outlets in the Tourism Winery category of the 2008 Inland NSW Tourism Awards. CSU Winery Marketing Manager Mr Richard Lawson said, “It’s a great effort considering the number of wineries in inland NSW”. Meanwhile, in the recently released 2009 James Halliday Wine Companion, the renowned wine critic again rated the CSU Winery at four and a half stars, which matches its 2007 rating. All wines submitted by CSU were rated four stars or higher, with five stars awarded to the 2007 Chardonnay, which was also placed in the ‘Top 10 Best Value White Wines ($10 - $15)’ category in Australia. Mr Lawson said, “It shows the quality of CSU wines and that they more than hold their own in a crowded and competitive wine market”.