Fundraising efforts by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students have seen several hundred dollars presented recently to two organisations in Wagga Wagga. Ms Coleen Pearce from the Health Promotion Service in the CSU Division of Student Services presented $550 to the Women’s Health Clinic in September. Ms Pearce also presented $360 on behalf of students to Ronald McDonald House in Wagga Wagga. The money was raised in 2007 during activities on the Wagga Wagga Campus including the sexual health initiative, Vaginal Awareness Week, and the mental health promotion day, ‘Chill Out’, which was held in October last year. The Health Promotion Service offers positive health promotions on campuses throughout the year to encourage a preventative approach to the health of the students. The service is organising student activities this week to mark National Mental Health Week.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer in Teacher Education, Mr Bob Dengate, wishes regional NSW students well in the looming HSC exams, but suggests that there is much more involved than luck. “It’s all about preparation. HSC students have spent the past two years preparing for these exams in one way or another,” he said. “The students who will do best are those who have a balanced life, yet have done the extra work, using value-added resources such as study groups and online services.” The CSU Director of NSW HSC Online, Mr Dengate has been involved in the recent introduction of study tips on the CSU website link. “This is a great way for students to help students. There are plenty of useful tips already and we invite students to also add their favourite tips and to visit the Study & Exams part of NSW HSC Online”. Developed in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education and Training, the website link provides access to quality educational resources for rural and regional students.

The existence of art in our everyday lives was highlighted during the opening of an exhibition of works by Charles Sturt University (CSU) Master of Arts student Mr Jason Kalt. The 22 mixed media pieces by Mr Kalt were positively received when the exhibition, Deus Ex Machina, was opened by the Head of CSU at Wagga Wagga, Professor David Green, on Tuesday 30 September. “These works are playful and engaging,” said Professor Green. Congratulating the artist, Professor Green told the audience that “our lives are imbued with the notion of art”. The exhibition in the HR Gallop Gallery on the University’s Wagga Wagga Campus runs until Friday 17 October.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has proven his endurance skills go beyond the lecture theatre when he successfully participated in the gruelling Upper Murray Challenge at Khancoban in October. Dr Bruce Graham was part of the three-member Team Wagga which secured second place in the Open Men’s Team Division and third place overall. The challenge, held on Saturday 4 October, involved a 38 kilometre mountain bike ride, 26 kilometre paddle and 25 kilometre run. Dr Graham completed his paddle in the third fastest time of 1 hour 34 minutes and 25 seconds. The other Team Wagga members were Mr Ashleigh Smith, who completed the cycle, and Mr Robert Sharpe, a 1998 graduate of the CSU Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), who completed the gruelling run. Dr Graham lectures in human anatomy and physiology in the School of Biomedical Sciences in Wagga Wagga.

Students and staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will mark Mental Health Week NSW 2008 with a series of activities on the Wagga Wagga Campus on Tuesday 21 October. The activities are being organised by the Health Promotion Service in the CSU Division of Student Services. Riverina headspace - a federal Government mental health youth initiative - will attend the awareness day along with a representative of the local mental health rehabilitation facility, Sunflower House. There will be a barbeque, mural and canvas painting as well as stress balls and bubbles to help students relieve tensions. Students will have the chance to purchase sunflower cut outs to plant at CSU. All money raised during the activities will go to Sunflower House.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is lending its expertise to a recruitment campaign with a difference. Instead of targeting prospective students, this campaign is targeting pet dogs. In partnership with the Sydney Animal Behavioural Service and the company HomeoPet, CSU is recruiting 150 dogs from across Australia to participate in research into the treatment of anxious animals. The study will examine the effect on dogs of the homeopathic remedy known as Anxiety. “We would like to hear from anyone who has a pet dog which reacts to thunderstorms,” said Dr Jacqui Ley from the Sydney Animal Behavioural Service. “The anxiety may be demonstrated in behaviour ranging from destructive activities to simply barking at a storm.” “Through its veterinary science program, CSU will be supporting the research by analysis of the data,” said Head of the CSU School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Professor Kym Abbott.

The proper management of the frail aged is vital if elderly people are to maintain the ability to live independently and keep out of institutions. A program, developed by Charles Sturt University (CSU), the University of South Australia and the Greater Southern Area Health Service, aimed at demonstrating improved management of frailty has seen a series of workshops being held in regional areas in NSW and South Australia in the past two years. A workshop will be held on Saturday 18 October in Albury-Wodonga as part of the program. “The workshops are important in rural areas where the support facilities are lacking, distances are great and moving into care may well remove people from friends and family,” said CSU Professor of Rural Pharmacy Patrick Ball. The workshop is designed for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who are actively involved in the management of frail elderly people. The workshops are funded by the Federal Government under the Rural Health Support Education and Training program. Read more about the workshops here.

Frogs will be in the spotlight at a ‘talk and walk’ along the banks of Kings Billabong, near the Murray River at Mildura led by Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher Ms Sascha Healy. The talk to be held on Thursday 16 October will focus on the types of frogs living in the area, where they are found, and how to identify them by sight and sound. Ms Healy is currently undertaking surveys of frogs in the Wentworth and Mildura region as part of a project led by CSU researcher Dr Skye Wassens and funded by the Murray Wetlands Working Group looking at the breeding responses of frogs in wetlands along the Murray River.

A ceremony will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 16 October to recognise the academic achievements of a number of fourth year veterinary science students at CSU. Organised by CSU’s Veterinary Science Foundation, the inaugural Professional Experience Scholarships will be presented to 13 students from across regional NSW during the ceremony at the Veterinary Clinical Centre at CSU. The scholarships have been provided by Coopers Animal Health, Piper Street Veterinary Clinic, and Moruya Veterinary Hospital. Read more about the inaugural scholarships here. The ceremony will also mark generous donations from the Albury-Wodonga Angus Breeders' Association (AWBA) and Prattley Livestock Equipment towards the construction of the Artificial Insemination teaching facility at the University's Veterinary Clinical Centre.