Charles Sturt University (CSU) will formally congratulate almost a dozen staff on Friday 16 September in Wagga Wagga for their lengthy contributions to the institution. During a lunch in the University’s Convention Centre, medals will be presented to nine staff for 30 and 20 years of service to CSU and its predecessor institutions. Among those to receive a medal will be Head of Campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Mr Adrian Lindner for his 20 years of service with the organisation. The Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Ian Goulter will present the medals to the staff over lunch in the Chancellor's Room in the Convention Centre at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 12noon on Friday 16 September.

From bouncing balls to lava lamps, teenage sleep deprivation to what makes plants grow – 100 school students have put their scientific theories to the test at a competition held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. The Science Investigation Awards were held by the Primary Industries Centre for Science Education, in partnership with CSU, on Friday 16 September. The major prize, the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation’s Science Investigation Award, was won by Jasmine Garland, a Year 10 student from Mount Austin High School in Wagga Wagga, for her project looking at plant tolerance to acid, salt and grey water. The effect of different liquids on plants was also a topic explored by Year 6 students Tayla Fisher and Jack Langley from St Joseph’s Primary School in Narrandera. “Science is fun and I’ve learned a lot of things I didn’t know before,” said Jack. “We saw how white carnations turned different colours when we put them in coloured water.” Jack and Tayla won the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s Earth and Environment Award.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer has joined more than 100 academics from around the world in their concern for human rights in Thailand. Dr Robert Tierney is a lecturer in management in the School of Business at CSU in Bathurst. He signed an open letter to the Thai Prime Minister Ms Yingluck Shinawatra highlighting concern about ‘the diminution of the space for the free exchange of ideas in Thailand’. A total of 112 international scholars signed the letter which draws attention to human rights issues and the political use of lese majeste (Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code) and the 2007 Computer Crimes Act. Spokesman for the academics is Kevin Hewison, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. “The political abuse of these laws has seen a precipitous deterioration of human rights in Thailand,” said Professor Hewison. “Censorship of websites, self-censorship in the media and many, many charges of disloyalty mean serious restrictions on freedom of expression.” Dr Tierney said, “The legislative changes in Thailand make it much more difficult for people  to speak out in this so-called democracy. Any legislative decree which sets out to squeeze the right to freedom of academic expression silences not only those who wish to undertake research which may be deemed hostile to the authorities but also interviewees who desire their views to be expressed.”

Agricultural science students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have again excelled at the Australian University Crops Competition held in Temora in September with two students named in the competition’s top five. An initiative of Grain Gowers Limited, the third annual competition was held from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 September. The event, covering grains, pulses and oilseeds, involved students from six Australian universities. Two members of the CSU team, Ms Ally Dingjan from Wagga Wagga and Ms Candice Robinson from Whitton finished in the top five, ensuring the pair participates in a study tour to New Zealand in 2012. In addition to the individual winners, CSU took out the University Teams Award. Crop agronomy lecturer in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Dr Sergio Moroni said, “The Charles Sturt University team performed extremely well throughout the competition. The seriousness of the event did not deter them from enjoying themselves. They made me proud.” The students are studying the Bachelor of Agricultural Science at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students and staff will puff and pant to work and study on Wednesday 12 October as part of the annual Ride to Work Day 2011. Cyclists from CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange and Wagga Wagga will participate in the morning event, which will finish with a free breakfast. Event coordinator, Ms Nicole Maher from CSU Green, said the Ride to Work Day is a great way to, “enjoy some exercise, travel with low emissions and enjoy a free breakfast. More and more people are riding to work for fitness, health and to reduce their environmental footprints, as well as to enjoy a relaxing period before the pressures of daily work.” Tips on cycling to work are available from the Ride to Work official site here.

Resources collated in a national education project, to be launched in Canberra on Wednesday 26 October, will provide a major boost for early childhood education students says Professor Sue Dockett, project team leader from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Murray School of Education. “Funding for the Early Childhood Education Workforce Project was available for only a limited time, so it has been really important that the outcomes of this project are sustainable. Although funding for the collaboration will finish, the resources will have a life of their own. They will have an influence far beyond the life of the project and will be freely available across the country. Regional and remote communities, in particular, will benefit in lots of ways. The studying teachers are working in communities where there aren’t many educators and they should feel valued and important. This project recognises the value quality educators give to a community. They can upgrade their qualifications and stay within their chosen community It’s a chance to look at career options without necessarily having to change location, so quality education is accessible and the profession is gaining and retaining the best qualified educators.”

The pressures facing girls from intense marketing, popular culture, technology and the ‘cult of celebrity’ will be among the issues discussed during a free public forum to be held in Wagga Wagga this evening, Tuesday 25 October. Hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Wagga Wagga City Council, the forum will hear from a panel of local experts on the topic, What’s Happening To Our Girls? The forum is part of the Edversations Professional Forum organised by the School of Education at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The discussion will be held from 6pm to 8pm in the Council Meeting Room, Civic Centre, Baylis Street in Wagga Wagga. The members of the panel are: social work lecturer Ms Ruth Bailey from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga; Principal of Wagga Wagga High School (WWHS) Mr Michael Powell; WWHS 2012 School Captain Ms Laura Byrne; and allied health professional from Riverina Headspace, Ms Jessica Samways.

Music, sunset and the leafy surrounds of the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens will set the scene for a recital by members of the Riverina Conservatorium of Music as part of the public lecture series hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU).  The ‘Music under the leaves’ recital, on Friday 4 November, will feature works for a combination of flute, guitar, violin, viola, bass, drums and vocals. Musicians Mr Jeff Donovan, Ms Tamaris Pfeiffer, Ms Lauren Davis, and Mr Brett Thompson will perform along with jazz ensemble The Conmen. Ms Davis said the informal setting means families will be able to come along and enjoy the recital. “This is a wonderful opportunity to sit outside and listen to a wide variety of music in a beautiful location,” she said. “As a musician it is a good way to reach a wider audience and promote a greater interest in music.” CSU wine and cheese will be served after the performance.

The stage is set for 21 acting students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) to perform for a local audience before auditioning in front of industry representatives in Sydney. The ‘2011 Showcase’ is the culmination of three years of study for the graduating students of the Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage). Held at the Riverina Playhouse in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 27 October, the show will feature short scenes from contemporary plays, with a mix of comedy and drama. Lecturer with the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. Ms Kim Hardwick said students  will next week begin job hunting with a performance for industry professionals in Sydney. “We have theatrical and casting agents, managers, producers and directors coming along,” she said “For most students this is their first contact with industry professionals. It gives them experience in auditioning and casting calls, while marketing their talents.”