The cultural diversity at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will be on show when the national 2011 Harmony Day is embraced with the theme of ‘Everyone Belongs’. Staff and students will celebrate Harmony Day on 21 March by coming together to taste foods from around the globe. “We are urging staff and students to come along to our local Harmony Day celebrations dressed in their traditional national costume, and with music from their country of origin,” Student Support Officer (International) Ms Jacquie Blomfield said. The local event is being organised by the University’s Division of Student Services and supported by the Health Promotion Service, Rivcoll Student Representative Council and Halls of Residences at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

It is hoped that some good old fashioned inter-campus rivalry at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will encourage staff and students to donate to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. The Red Cross 2011 Inter-campus Blood Donation Challenge is being run until July. The mobile blood bank will parked in the CSU car park near Beres Ellwood Oval, Nathan Cobb Drive at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 8.30am to 3pm on Monday 28 March, and from 10.30am to 6pm on Tuesday 29 March. Appointments can be made online here or by calling 13 14 95. Read about blood donor arrangements for CSU in Bathurst here.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer who will be a guest speaker at a political forum at CSU in Albury-Wodonga on Wednesday 23 March is predicting the NSW election could be an acid test for the role of independents in Australian politics. Dr Troy Whitford, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU, is keeping a close watch on the performance of independent candidates in regional electorates. "The federal scene may have people second guessing the role of independents and their ability to contribute to good government," he said. With widespread predictions of a Coalition victory in the Saturday 26 March poll, Dr Whitford says the makeup of the NSW Legislative Council could be interesting. "It really depends on how much of a mandate voters want to give the prospective coalition government," he said. "A new government won't want to be stuck in negotiations with minor parties and independents." Read more here.  

A key part of the graduation celebrations later this month at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga is the Town and Gown ceremonial parade through the city’s central business district. The annual parade of academics, local councillors and graduates will be held from 4pm on Tuesday 29 March. The procession will be led by the Riverina Concert Band and follow a route down Baylis Street to the Civic Theatre where a reception will be hosted by the Head of CSU in Wagga Wagga Mr Adrian Lindner and the Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Councillor Wayne Geale. More than 3 000 graduates are eligible to attend six ceremonies to be held at CSU in Wagga Wagga from Wednesday 30 March to Friday 1 April. The Town and Gown is open to members of CSU’s governing body, the CSU Council; CSU general and academic staff; Wagga Wagga City Councillors; CSU graduates. Eligible staff from the Riverina Institute of TAFE NSW, UNSW’s Rural Clinical School, and the Wagga Wagga City Council have also been invited to participate in the colourful annual event.

Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff will explore their skills as middle level managers after securing places in an Australia-wide industry-based leadership training program. Mrs Debra Bell, from the Division of Human Resources at CSU in Wagga Wagga, and Ms Amanda Davies, from the School of Policing Studies at CSU in Goulburn, were awarded scholarships valued at $8 000 each in the Australian Applied Management Colloquium. As part of the six-month intensive management development program, the women will attend two residential schools at Thurgoona in May and again in October. Mrs Bell said, “I am excited to secure a place in the competitive program and to explore my middle management skills and gain further confidence with people from other organisations. Charles Sturt University has also supported staff involvement in the program.” Ms Davies said, “The opportunity to participate in this management development program complements the University’s commitment to support rural and regional communities, and enhance workplace management capacities.”

One Charles Sturt University (CSU) student is holding onto her surf life saving club membership despite her move to inland Australia to complete her studies. Ms Bec Thomson, a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science student at CSU in Wagga Wagga, is pursuing her chosen sport - surf life saving - with a passion, setting her sights on the coming national championships on the Gold Coast early next month. Originally from the small town of Ulverstone in northwest Tasmania, Ms Thomson transferred from a university in her home state to the medical radiation science program at CSU in Wagga Wagga in 2011. During the State Surf Championships held on Tasmania’s Clifton Beach on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, Ms Thomson won four out of the five individual races. They included the surf race, board race, ski and tube rescue races. Representing the Devonport Surf Life Saving Club, Ms Thomson also won the mixed double ski event and was a member of the winning relay teams. The CSU student took home eight gold and four silver medals. “Given that my sport is in the sea, I used to spend every day at the beach. So now being four hours inland has certainly been a bit of a change,” Ms Thomson said. “I swapped my surf ski for a kayak. I paddle with the Wagga Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club on the Murrumbidgee River three or four times a week. I also swim four times a week at the local aquatic centre.”

An exhibition of contemporary Australian prints will be featured at Joyes Hall at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga during graduation week. The fair & square print exchange portfolio has been compiled by Melbourne artist Ms Rona Green and features prints from 44 artists. Ms Green asked other artists to create a new work and she’s given them to the CSU Art Collection through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. CSU Art Curator, Thomas A. Middlemost, says it’s a snapshot of Australian printmaking. “The exhibition includes portraits, landscapes and abstract art,” he said. “The portfolio will give greater contemporary depth to the extensive body of printmaking in the CSU Art Collection.”  The CSU Art Collection is comprised of twentieth century Australian works used for research and teaching. The fair & square exhibition opening will be held at Joyes Hall CSU in Wagga Friday 1 April at 6pm. It will be on display to the public during graduation from Wednesday 30 March to Friday 1 April and throughout April by appointment with the CSU Art Curator on 02 6925 3666.

It was a true a celebration for one Wagga Wagga family during the graduation season at Charles Sturt University (CSU). Mrs Susan Moi was awarded a Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare) on Thursday 31 March. During the same ceremony, her daughter, Ms Yangi Moi, was awarded a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours Class 2 Division 1. In addition, Ms Moi received the Lila Kirilik Social Action Memorial Award for 2010.  The annual prize was awarded by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga to Ms Moi for demonstrating social justice in her workplace learning at Centrelink in 2010. During her placement with the agency, Ms Moi researched a framework for providing support during emergencies in rural Australia, such as bushfires, droughts or farm accidents. A Centrelink working party is now examining how to implement the framework. Ms Moi is a youth liaison worker at one of Wagga Wagga’s welfare agencies. “I enjoy working with young people and have a passion for helping people,” said Ms Moi. As her four children got older, Mrs Moi began her studies at the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute before completing her degree at CSU last year. She is now a domestic violence worker in Wagga Wagga.

The winner of the first Veterinary Science Medal at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has endorsed the veterinary science program. “The course, which began in 2005, has achieved what it set out to do,” said the recently graduated veterinarian, Dr Greg Dale. “That is, produce veterinarians who want to live and work in regional Australia to deliver veterinary services.” Dr Dale should know. “I grew up in Sydney and I have no desire to return to the big smoke. I have recently accepted a job at Kempsey in regional NSW. Members of the inaugural veterinary science class at Charles Sturt University secured jobs prior to their graduation last week and everyone is working in regional Australia. The highlights of the new program include its practical component. Not just working in clinics, but spending time on farms has broadened our experience, and given us a better understanding of animal production systems. I believe this has provided us with the grounding to offer relevant advice and practical solutions to producers.” Dr Dale also praised the new purpose-built facilities at CSU, including the Kay Hull Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Veterinary Clinical Centre.