Team Barracuda took out the finals of Animal Idol on the Wagga Wagga Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) last week. Each week, first year animal science students presented on a topic chosen by their course coordinator, with the added challenge of delivering their presentations in varying contexts, such as gearing the talk towards school children, or ‘unplugged’ without the benefit of electronic devices such as Powerpoint or overhead projection. The teams were then judged by an Australian Idol style panel. Cassandra Macdonald from Team Barracuda accepted the trophy, certificate and first prize of $1 000 at a barbecue last Friday 15 June, saying the experience was “good fun and a good experience. It definitely built up my confidence”.

Innovative and interesting jewellery pieces designed and produced by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be showcased at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Presented by the School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Continuum exhibition reveals the work of current CSU students studying Bachelor of Arts in jewellery. The exhibition will focus on the recent works of third year students who designed and manufactured pieces for Lee Lin Chin, the SBS World News presenter recognised in Australian fashion circles for her distinctive style. Ms Chin will also have the opportunity to select her favourite piece from the collection. The Continuum exhibition, located in the Art Gallery’s Art Education Room, will go on public display from Tuesday 19 June and will be officially opened on Friday 22 June at 6pm.

A decade of innovative Australian wine and grape research will be celebrated at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) located on Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus this week. A gala dinner on Wednesday 20 June will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the NWGIC, a collaborative project between CSU, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the New South Wales Wine Industry Association. A Wine and Grape Industry symposium, The NWGIC in the future of the Australian Wine Industry, will be held in conjunction with the celebrations on Thursday 21 June. Newly appointed head of the NWGIC Professor Thomas Henick-Kling says the past ten years have been marked by great success for the CSU collaborative project providing innovation and improved income for the Australian wine industry.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has enthusiastically welcomed the reformation of the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture (ACDA), which will develop strategies to raise the profile and strengthen student recruitment into agricultural science programs. CSU played a lead role in bringing about the reconvening of the ACDA. CSU Professor Jim Pratley, who was elected as interim Secretary-Treasurer, said the ACDA will increase opportunities for students. “There is a strong common view that there are exciting careers in agriculture and the job market is buoyant”. CSU Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences Head of School John Kent said, “We need Australia's best and brightest coming into agricultural studies to meet the challenges of the future, which includes feeding the rapidly increasing world population, coping with new technology as well as environmental and climate changes”.

Freyer Colvin, a second year Equine Sciences student at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Wagga Wagga Campus, is also a skilled young horse rider who will soon represent Australia at two elite international equine competitions. Ms Colvin, as a member of the Australian Pony Club’s under 21 team, will compete at the one day Interpacific Rally in the United States on Tuesday 17 July. Freyer will then go on to the Nation’s Cup showjumping competition two weeks later in Washington State. Freyer, who has been riding horses since the age of six, says she is excited about her forthcoming trip, and proud to fly the flag for Australia, CSU, her home town of Launceston, and the state of Tasmania. The 19 year old says the excellent equine facilities located at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus allows her to achieve her academic goals while at the same time continuing to train and compete at an elite level.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Luke Tooze’s Australian Idol odyssey has come to an end. The 21 year old guitarist/singer made the top one-hundred list, but was knocked out of the popular television show at the latest round of auditions in Sydney. Luke, a second year teaching student at CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus, performed the classic Whitlams song Buy Now, Pay Later, a decision that didn’t pay off when the show’s panel of judges axed his act. Luke admits he was disappointed, but adds he has walked away buoyed by the experience, has made a lot of new friends, and says he would encourage other young Australians with aspirations to make it big on the music scene to give the Australian Idol experience a shot. Luke was selected from hundreds of hopefuls during Australian Idol auditions at CSU’s Joyes Hall in April.

Interested in the skill of wine and food matching? Charles Sturt University (CSU) is collaborating with one of Wagga Wagga’s top restaurants to educate the Riverina public’s tastebuds about wine and food matching skills. Dr Anthony Saliba, a sensory scientist at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC), located at CSU Wagga Wagga Campus, will pass on his knowledge and understanding of why certain wine and foods complement each other. Dr Saliba will also discuss the key mistakes consumers often make when designing a dinner party menu with table wines to match. Held at The Three Chefs restaurant, the workshop will include a seven course dinner with wines that complement those dishes. Places are limited to 20 and bookings close on Thursday 28 June.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student has won a $15 000 scholarship to help improve the growth and management of summer pastures in high rainfall areas of south western Victoria. Margaret Raeside is evaluating the benefits of a summer-growing variety of tall fescue grass species called ‘Quantum’ for the EverGraze research project undertaken by CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. The project aims to boost profits to wool and livestock producers while reducing groundwater levels and reducing soil salinity. CSU’s Dr Michael Friend is an EverGraze NSW site leader and Ms Raeside’s supervisor. He said the scholarship recognises the importance of Ms Raeside’s work to utilise perennial pastures in grazing systems to improve farm profitability and environmental outcomes. The three year scholarship is from the South Australian-based AW Howard Memorial Trust.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) has been awarded much sought after international quality accreditation. The NWGIC, located at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus, implemented a quality management system for its research activities in 2006.  Following an external review and audit in June 2007, the Centre was awarded accreditation for its implementation of the ISO 9000 Quality Management System. This achievement, driven by Mrs Helen Pan (NWGIC), Mr Chris O'Connell (NSW DPI), Professor Geoff Scollary (CSU), and Mrs Cathy Campbell (NSW DPI), reinforces the NWGIC’s place at the forefront of Australian research facilities. Director of the NWGIC Professor Thomas Henick-Kling says the quality accreditation is a wonderful achievement and shows a commitment to quality. The NWGIC is the home of leading wine industry research activities including the Winegrowing Futures Program.