Research into the impact of climate change on grape vines has been given a boost with new glasshouses and a bird proof micro-vineyard at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. The $1 million dollar development was officially opened by the NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson at a ceremony on Wednesday 26 October. NWGIC Director, Professor Jim Hardie said researchers are able to get a better understanding of how different climate factors affect grape vines. “Under controlled environmental conditions we can vary factors such as air or soil temperature to gain an understanding of the growth response of the plant itself but also the impact on fruit quality,” he said. The NWGIC is an alliance between CSU, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Wine Industry Association.  

Elephant’s toothpaste, screaming jelly babies and exploding hydrogen balloons are just some of the hands-on experiments planned for science teachers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 2 November.  The professional learning day will give 37 junior science teachers from schools across the Riverina the opportunity to learn about activities that address the syllabus while also entertaining students in years 7-10. Senior lecturer in chemistry with CSU’s School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Dr Paul Prenzler said, “This is a very exciting opportunity to work together with local high school teachers to provide them with demonstrations that will engage their students in science and show that chemistry concepts can be demonstrated in fun and spectacular ways.” CSU research into wine aroma and antioxidants in food and health will also be on display. The event has been organised by the CSU Chemistry Group and the Eastern Riverina Science Teachers’ Association.

Alpine skier and Wagga Wagga resident Mr Stuart Hume dreams of representing Australia and is in the national development ski squad. But he has reached this height by regaining his mobility after becoming a paraplegic through a horrific motorcycle accident. Mr Hume will present his story of rehabilitation as the keynote speaker for the 15th Occupational Therapy Graduate Conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Wednesday 26 October. Mr Hume’s determination not only saw him complete his rehabilitation in six months, but he has returned to work at REX Airlines in Wagga Wagga. Titled ‘Occupational therapy: New Beginnings’, the conference has papers by students completing their occupational therapy degree from CSU’s School of Community Health, and will include such topics as the impact of a major injury on an athlete’s identity, should occupational therapists be working with the Victorian Police, and the effects of the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme on drivers with spinal cord injuries.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) senior lecturer in Human Movement Studies, Dr Deborah Clarke wishes NSW  students well in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams but knows that good luck has very little to do with the outcome. “It’s all about preparation and these students have spent the past year preparing for these exams in one way or another,” she says. “The ones that often do well are those who have done the extra work, using resources such as study groups, tuition in their weaker subjects and online services.” Dr Clarke has been involved in the continued development of online resource, NSW HSC Online. “This is a great preparation tool for students with practice exam papers and relevant study material for 61 HSC subjects.” Developed in collaboration with the NSW government through Education and Communities, NSW HSC Online provides access to quality education resources for all students, particularly those in rural and regional areas.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic is spreading the message to schools for the need to conserve endangered habitats in the Murray-Darling Basin. Through new teaching resources primary schools in the Basin can follow the exploits of ‘Doctor Dave’, or Associate Professor David Watson from the School of Environmental Sciences at CSU. The video and audio package, reading book and worksheets for outdoor activities also involves pupils of Burrumbuttock Primary School in the southern Riverina. “The reading book follows the adventures of Murray, the Murray Darling Carpet Snake, Stanley, the Blue-tongue Lizard and Sammy, the Squirrel Glider. They are all endangered animals found in native yellow box grasslands, which once extended from southern Queensland, through western NSW and northern Victoria to eastern South Australia. These lands formed the basis for Australia’s eastern wheat-belt and were cleared for grazing and cropping. Now only five per cent of these woodlands remain untouched. The grasslands and the animals they house are threatened with extinction. It will be up to future land managers - the school children– to conserve the remaining examples of these precious habitats for future generations.”

Singer, songwriter and musician, Ms Holly Throsby will be the final writer-in-residence for 2011, at the Booranga Writers’ Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. The Sydney-based artist has released five albums to date: On Night (2004); Under the Town (2006); A Loud Call (2008); a children’s album called See! (2010); and Team (2011). She joined Australian songwriters Sarah Blasko and Sally Seltman to form the group ‘Seeker Lover Keeper’ and their self-titled album was released earlier this year. Ms Throsby has been nominated for two 2011 ARIA awards, one for best children’s album and the other for best adult alternative album. While in Wagga Wagga, she will perform a free all-ages concert at the Museum of the Riverina’s Botanic Gardens site on Saturday 22 October from 1pm. Ms Throsby will also give a workshop for practising regional songwriters at the Booranga Writers’ Centre on Sunday 23 October at 2pm.

The role of a healthy diet in tackling the problem of childhood obesity is just one of the issues being discussed at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Nutrition Clinic, ahead of National Nutrition Week beginning on Sunday 16 October. The 2007-2008 National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, found almost a quarter of Australian children aged 5 to 17 were overweight or obese. Accredited Practising Dietitian and Clinical Educator with the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, Mr Shane Delves said a healthy diet is a key factor in addressing the issue and parents are important role models. “Eating a balanced diet containing fruit and vegetables, lean meats, whole-grains and good sources of dairy, along with good amounts of physical activity and minimising sedentary behaviours, are vital to the health of young Australians,” he said. The CSU Nutrition Clinic provides free, one-on-one advice about healthy eating and general wellbeing. It allows Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) students at CSU to gain valuable experience in dietary consulting, under the supervision of an Accredited Practicing Dietitian.  

The impact of an increasing number of refugees on Australian communities will be discussed at a public forum being co-hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Wednesday 12 October. The forum, A Place to Call Home – The World’s Refugee Dilemma will hear from a number of experts, including representatives from the Refugee Council of Australia, the UN International Criminal Tribunal and World Vision Australia. They will speak on how to balance the needs of refugees and local communities, and recognise the skills refugees bring to these communities. They will also highlight the responsibilities of Australian citizens to refugees, and what we can do to help the global refugee problem. The speakers will address these issues at a public forum starting at 6pm in the Albury Entertainment Centre, Swift Street in Albury.

How to support girls to grow up with healthy attitudes towards body image and sexuality will be discussed at a public lecture in Temora on Tuesday 18 October 2011. Lecturer in philosophy and ethics at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Dr Emma Rush will give an overview of what researchers and experts have to say about the risks associated with the sexualisation of girls and explain the government’s response. “A generation ago we didn’t see fashion and gossip magazines, padded bras and cosmetics pitched specifically at the primary school market,” she said. “While sex appeal has been used to sell products for a long time, in the last decade or so imagery directly inspired by pornography has also become much more prevalent in fashion and advertising. The increasing pressure on girls to meet very narrow appearance ideals at younger and younger ages is of significant concern to experts in child health and welfare.”  The free lecture, Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls, will also identify resources for parents and professionals who work with girls.