Asperger’s syndrome is a complex condition covering a range of symptoms that include communication difficulties and problems with social interaction and cognitive abilities. Little is known about community views on this condition, which Charles Sturt University (CSU) doctoral student Ms Donna Kite will address in her current research project. Based in Port Augusta in South Australia, Ms Kite is looking for people to complete an online survey on the characteristics, causes, treatment and management of the condition. “Changes are being proposed on the diagnosis of Asperger’s, which could have implications for its subsequent recognition and treatment, so I am also asking respondents for their opinions on the proposed change,” Ms Kite said. “Most clients with Asperger's syndrome have adequate communication and cognitive functioning to participate in regular school programs, employment and sporting activities, but experience social and often behavioural difficulties relating to their interpretation of the world.” 

The count down is on for the first group of veterinary science students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga until they take their professional oath at a ceremony on Friday 6 August. The 30 students in the Bachelor of Veterinary Science  will swear the Veterinary Oath before their family and friends and lecturers from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences  at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The ceremony will be held from 2pm to 4pm in the Riverina Playhouse, Cross Street in Wagga Wagga. “As they take their place in the professional world, the students should be congratulated for the commitment they have clearly shown in completing their degrees,” CSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Ian Goulter said. CSU started the veterinary science program in 2005 to address the shortage of veterinarians in rural and regional Australia. Read more here.

Oral health students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will be working in the new Dental and Oral Health Clinic with renewed focus from Monday 2 August to Sunday 8 August during the national Dental Health Week.  The 2nd year Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy/Hygiene) students will be treating patients in the University Clinic on Wednesday 4 August and Thursday 5 August as part of their studies. They will also have the chance to meet Dr Mark Sinclair, the President of the NSW Branch of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) during his visit to CSU in Wagga Wagga. Dr Sinclair is due to speak to  the students on ethics during a lecture between 11am and 12midday on Wednesday 4 August. During the student clinics, which are supervised by registered dentists and oral health practitioners, the students undertake a thorough check-up of the patients’ teeth and gums, clean, and polish. For patients aged under 18, routine filling work will also be provided. Students offer advice on preventing tooth decay and gum disease, and will also demonstrate to their patients how to clean and floss teeth and gums. Paediatric patients will also receive a toothbrush during their appointments in Dental Health Week. The Clinic, with the latest in dental equipment and software, opened at the end of 2009. The Clinic is taking appointments on 1300 278 642. Dental Health Week is a community awareness program organised by the ADA.

A Canadian student who studied for a year at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Australia has become an Australian Student Ambassador for 2010 and 2011. Ms Keely Snider, who is currently enrolled at Lakehead University in Ontario, studied English literature during 2009 at CSU in Wagga Wagga, in southern New South Wales. She hopes to become a teacher after finishing teachers college in 2013. “My experience in Australia was amazing,” Ms Snider said. “I met many wonderful people and made life long friends from Australia and other countries around the world, students who were also on exchange programs. I travelled a lot around Australia, and I would recommend studying in Australia to anyone. Hopefully I will get back to Australia soon.” Ms Snider is keen to encourage more Canadian students to study overseas, especially at CSU in Australia.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Ms Stephanie Frazer has won a national award for her services to a student rural health club. Ms Frazer, who is president of the CSU Multidisciplinary Albury Rural Health Society (MARHS), was awarded $1 000 by the National Rural Health Students Network (NRHSN). The Network recognised her significant involvement in helping build MARHS into a strong and active club, particularly in relation to mental health in regional Australia. “Improving awareness about mental health is important as almost half of all Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. We can make a difference by encouraging understanding and improving support. I feel humbled to be recognised by my fellow students and to work with such great people at Charles Sturt University,” Ms Frazer said. Ms Frazer, who is a third year physiotherapy student with the School of Community Health based at Thurgoona, received her award in Alice Springs in July during the Network’s national conference of 29 student rural health clubs. MARHS vice-president and second year occupational therapy student Mr Alan Dyason also won a prize at the conference for his contribution to increasing awareness and action in Indigenous health issues.

The musical production, PEACE TRAIN - The Cat Stevens Story is about to embark on an Australian tour under the directorship of Mr John Saunders from Charles Sturt University (CSU). An actor, writer and director, Mr Saunders is a lecturer with the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Written by John Misto, PEACE TRAIN stars Darren Coggan, who performs 23 hit songs in a theatre production hailed as a night of music and story-telling. The show premiered at the Civic Theatre in Wagga Wagga in 2008 and since then has played in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. “Everyone who has worked on or seen PEACE TRAIN is affected and changed by the experience,” Mr Saunders said. “It is thrilling to think that by the end of 2010 audiences all over Australia will have had the opportunity to see and experience PEACE TRAIN live.” The Australian tour starts in the Esperance Civic Theatre in Western Australia on Tuesday 10 August and concludes on Saturday 27 November at Sale in Victoria. Read more here.

Agricultural and animal science students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will have the opportunity to meet with a wide range of potential employers from the rural sector when the annual Agricultural and Animal Industry Careers Fair is held at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 4 August. The student-organised event, first held in 2009, involves the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU. The Fair includes talks on career development for first and second year students. For those closer to completing their course, about 30 potential employers from the rural sector have been invited including banks, wine companies, rural suppliers, catchment management authorities, corporate farms, recruitment agencies, rural development corporations and industry bodies such as NSW Farmers' Association and the Australian Institute for Agricultural Science and Technology.

Building new homes for the threatened Squirrel Glider is among the aims of a special tree planting event at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga later this month. As part of the University’s contribution to the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010 and National Tree Day on Sunday 1 August, CSU will hold a Biodiversity Blitz on Saturday 31 July. Staff and students aim to weed, plant 700 trees and shrubs and construct wooden nesting boxes for the Squirrel Glider in the Biodiversity Blitz. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Charles Sturt University to improve our natural environment and biodiversity,” said Head of Campus in Wagga Wagga Mr Adrian Lindner, chairman of the University’s Sustainability Committee. By 2015, CSU aims to have at least 20 per cent of its campus land dedicated to native flora and fauna. “An important part of the Biodiversity Blitz will be the construction of the Squirrel Glider nesting boxes from recycled wood pallets. We hope this work will encourage the Squirrel Glider to thrive on our campus.” The Biodiversity Blitz is funded by the University’s Division of Information Technology from the sale of old CSU computers.

About twenty pre-schoolers from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Children’s Centre in Wagga Wagga will get a first-hand dental experience during an excursion to the new CSU Dental and Oral Health Clinic on Thursday 15 July. The children, ranging in age from three to five, will be greeted by the second year Bachelor of Oral Health students, back from their three week semester break. The students have been treating patients, including primary and high school aged children, in the Clinic since April under the supervision of Clinic Director, Ms Helen Tane, lecturer Ms Simone Alexander and dentist Dr Kathleen Matthews. “By the age of three children should have a well-established daily dental routine supervised closely by their parents and should have also had several visits an oral health professional,” Ms Tane said. “Our oral health students will be able to show these young children around the Clinic, let them sit in the chairs and generally give them a positive memory of visiting a dental clinic.” Clinic appointments for members of the public, including school children, can be made by telephoning 1300 278 642.