An orphaned foal born prematurely at the Veterinary Clinical Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga is receiving round-the-clock care from dedicated veterinary, equine and animal science students. Affectionately named Tim Tam, the foal was born by caesarean section in early August when it was clear his mother would not survive irreparable bowel damage. Since his birth he has received 24-hour attention from a team of veterinary and nursing staff at CSU, ably assisted by over 30 students rostered on six to 12 hour shifts. Students were only too happy to be involved in his care, which has included respiratory support, intravenous feeding, medication and two hourly turning. Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine at CSU, Dr Sharanne Raidal says the mare in foal was brought to the Veterinary Clinical Centre with severe colic, as it was one of the only facilities in the region that could provide the immediate care needed. “Not only does the foal receive excellent care at the centre, it provides our veterinary science students with hands on experience that is invaluable in their training to become rural vets. We are very proud of the enthusiasm and dedicated care demonstrated by staff and students,” said Dr Raidal.

The popular image of the soldiers of the first Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) during World War I is of high-spirited larrikins. This will be challenged by historian Dr Peter Stanley when he delivers the third Theo Barker Memorial Lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Friday 14 August. Dr Stanley, who is Director of the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, says memoirs, battalion histories and biographies are full of stories that reinforce the idea that Australian citizen soldiers in World War I behaved like naughty boys, and that their antics were harmless or benign. “But there was a dark side to the AIF's wrong-doers,” he says. “Though little acknowledged, the AIF included many men who contravened military law. They stole, answered back, refused to obey orders, got drunk, wounded themselves to get out of the war, and went absent or deserted, and in huge numbers,” said Dr Stanley.

Does cramming really help students prepare for the HSC? With many starting their HSC trial exams today, students are discovering what study methods work best for them. Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Dr Deb Clarke believes a well prepared study plan is a great start to study and suggests a visit to NSW HSC online for inspiration. “NSW HSC online explicitly follows the syllabus content and has a range of activities for students to complete that can be used to refine and rehearse their knowledge of HSC content,” said Dr Clarke. With so many resources now available online, Dr Clarke advises students to find government-supported sites that provide accurate material. For more information on NSW HSC online visit here.  

International trends for grains, oilseeds and pulses will be discussed at the annual Asia Today Forum 2009 on Thursday 13 August in Parkes. Following the successful forums on beef in 2007 and lamb in 2008, the Asia Today Forum 2009 will focus on cereals, oilseeds and pulses and their outlook for Asian markets. “While the focus of the forum will be on Asia, it will also broaden the view towards the relevant underlying developments and driving forces of today's agricultural and grain markets,” says Director of the Asian Agribusiness Research Centre at CSU, Dr Claus Deblitz. Speakers will include Professor John Chudleigh from Analysing Agriculture and representatives from Emerald Group, the Bread Research Institute, Buckwheat Enterprises, Lachlan Commodities and MSM Milling - Manildra.  

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is giving young people the opportunity to have an input into the challenging issues such as homelessness, teen suicide, drugs, poverty and crime. The Making a Difference (MaD) competition is now open and submissions close on Monday 5 October. “By writing a story, poem or script that addresses any issue of social justice, entrants are in the running to receive one of four $250 cash prizes,” explains CSU coordinator Mr Bill Anscombe. “In addition, Charles Sturt University will donate $250 to the charity of the winners’ choice.”  The School of Humanities and Social Sciences’ Social Justice Innovation Award is eligible to anyone aged between 15 and 21 and are in Years 10, 11 and 12 at high school or studying at TAFE. Judging will take place in October, with the winners announced early November.

Reflecting Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) continued support for students who wish to study and gain their professional qualifications in regional Australia, a new application process for entry into the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree will commence in 2010. In addition to lodging an application with the University Admissions Centre (UAC) by Wednesday 30 September 2009, a ‘Supplementary Application Form’ and interview process has been introduced. These changes will allow applicants to demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, rural Australia, a career in pharmacy and the overall health of the rural population. “By showing an understanding of the unique issues that confront pharmacists and other health workers in rural and remote Australia, Charles Sturt University is ensuring students are prepared for an education and possibly a career in regional Australia,” said Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Associate Professor Lyndall Angel.

Vital financial support of almost $30 000 has been awarded to veterinary science students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga. The 2009 Professional Experience Scholarships and Prizes were presented on Tuesday 4 August to help the students while they attend their practical work placements across Australia. The awards included fifth year students who are about to embark on the third phase of the veterinary science program, which involves ten clinical rotations over the next 12 months. “The scholarships to assist the students with their field experience come at an exciting time for the first intake of students into the veterinary science program,” said Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Professor Kym Abbott. “The students have been very well prepared for the final phase of their training but now need to apply their full focus to this final development of their clinical skills before they graduate next year. The financial support from donors will help them at this critical stage of their studies.”

A visiting academic will deliver a public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Thursday 23 July which examines how, in his view, the political system, the medical profession, and the university sector in the United Kingdom (UK) have colluded with the pharmaceutical industry to promote shareholder profits at the expense of public health. Dr Paul Duckett, a visiting community critical psychologist at CSU’s School of Social Sciences and Liberal Studies at Bathurst, suggests that efforts in the UK to secure social justice and social support for people allegedly harmed by the psycho-pharmaceutical industry has implications for thousands of Australian children, and questions why the drug Paxil is prescribed by doctors rather than being proscribed by politicians. According to Dr Duckett, in Australia during 2008, 4000 children under 10 years of age were prescribed Paxil and other Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) medications. This is despite findings in 2003 that the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), withheld clinical trial data for at least five years that showed the drug was clinically ineffective and increased the risk of suicide in children and adolescents.

Veterinary science student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga, Mr Richard Sanders, has received a coaching award at a university meat judging competition held in Armidale in July. He was named the winner of the Tom Carr Award for Coaching Excellence at the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) competition. For a number of years, Mr Sanders has lent his carcass evaluation skills to fellow students and coached the CSU team for the annual ICMJ competitions. Mr Sanders, from Moruya on the NSW South Coast, also represented Australia at ICMJ in the USA in 2005. Agricultural science student, Ms Kylie Dunn won the overall individual award at the ICMJ competition, scoring 439 out of a potential 450. Ms Louise Lawrence, also enrolled in agricultural science, was the winner of the individual award in the competition’s pork judging category. A four member CSU team was also named runner-up in the overall team award. Three CSU students now have the chance to be included in the Australian meat judging team as they were named among the nine finalists for an elite industry training workshop in Brisbane. “The participation of the successful CSU team is largely due to the generous sponsorship of Cargill Beef Australia, who has willingly provided access for students to beef carcasses and primal cuts in addition to their financial support,” said Professor of Animal Production Peter Wynn. “Access to sheep carcasses through the Junee Abattoir and pork carcases through Knights Meats has also contributed greatly to the success of the team.”