The annual exhibition by graduating photography students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga is predicted to be the largest show in its five year history. Twenty Bachelor of Arts (Photography) students from the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU will exhibit up to 60 photographs, ranging in size from one to two metres wide at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery from Friday 19 October to Sunday 9 December. Photography and digital imaging lecturer Mr James Holcombe said, “The exhibition has become a much-anticipated event on the local Art Gallery calendar. Opening nights last year and in 2010 attracted crowds of more than 300 people.” Lucid: CSU Photography Graduation Exhibition will be officially opened by CSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Vann at 6pm on Saturday 20 October. The photography students are due to graduate from CSU in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 11 December. One exhibitor, Mr Jacob Raupach said, “This exhibition will be an excellent opportunity to see out the course with a big community event. I am extremely proud to be exhibiting my work alongside some really talented photographers."

An expert in the study of paranormal events from Charles Sturt University (CSU) believes the only scary thing about Halloween is the risk of tooth decay from all the sweets that children have an excuse to guzzle on the day. Dr Krissy Wilson, Head of CSU’s Science of Anomalistic Phenomena research unit, said the celebration of Halloween most likely started as a pagan tradition that coincided with the new harvest. “It later became a Christian celebration of All Hallows or All Saints Day. Modern times have seen it evolve into ‘Halloween’ – which came literally from ‘hallowed’ or ‘holy’ – that typically involves trick or treating, dressing up in silly outfits and watching horror movies!”

The risks of the sexualisation of girls, and tips on how to help girls grow up with healthy attitudes towards body image and sexuality, will be discussed at a public lecture in Tumut on Wednesday 21 November. Lecturer in philosophy and ethics at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Dr Emma Rush, will give an overview of what researchers and experts have to say about the risks associated with the sexualisation of girls and explain the government’s response. “A generation ago we didn’t see fashion and gossip magazines, padded bras and cosmetics, pitched specifically at the primary school market,” she said. “While sex appeal has been used to sell products for a long time, in the last decade or so imagery directly inspired by pornography has also become much more prevalent in fashion and advertising. The increasing pressure on girls to meet very narrow appearance ‘ideals’ at younger and younger ages is of significant concern to experts in child health and welfare.” The free lecture, Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls, will also identify resources for parents and professionals who work with girls.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will once again host the Wagga Triathlon Club ‘Come and Tri’ Triathlon. CSU has hosted the popular event in Wagga Wagga for the past two years and in January 2013, the tradition continues. Race day is Sunday 20 January and the course includes Pine Gully Road, Valder Way and Nathan Cobb Drive, as well as the pool complex at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Runners will compete in some of the most beautiful surroundings with lemon scented gum trees and gentle undulating hills providing a very scenic and competitive course. Manager of Operations and Maintenance at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Mr Terry O’Meara, said, “We are pleased that the triathlon will once again be held at Charles Sturt University. We have completed a considerable amount of work on the campus and it is great to be able to share facilities with the wider community.” Race director, Ms Trudi Beck, said, “We are thankful that Charles Sturt University has allowed the Wagga Triathlon Club to use their facilities again.” A race briefing will be held 15 minutes prior to the start at 8am.

School leavers whose Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) was not as high as they had hoped have been told they don’t have to give up their university aspirations, with Charles Sturt University (CSU) continuing its Pathway Program in 2013. The program, a partnership between CSU and TAFE, runs for one year full-time and provides entry options for students who applied to CSU but were unsuccessful, or who need further preparation. Pathway coordinator Ms Sandra Fisher said the program offered multiple benefits. “Upon completion, students receive a Diploma of General Studies from Charles Sturt University and the Certificate IV in Further Education, or Tertiary Preparation Certificate from TAFE,” she said. “They are also guaranteed entry into a range of CSU degrees and may receive credit for some subjects.” The program is offered face-to-face at CSU in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga, and this year will be offered at CSU in Dubbo as a blended distance education option.

A series of science and technology activities will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga over the next three days as part of the annual program, The Science Experience. Eighteen Riverina students from Years 9, 10 and 11 will engage with CSU scientists and researchers from 9.15am on Wednesday 16 January until 3pm on Friday 18 January in the fields of computing science, agriculture, chemistry, biology, oral health, and allied health. The students will work in CSU facilities such as the nursing laboratory, the new National Life Sciences Hub, computer laboratory, and oral health laboratory. A catered lunch will also be held for the students and their parents from 1.30pm on Friday 18 January, to be followed by an information session about the variety of careers available in the sciences. The Science Experience is hosted by the CSU Faculty of Science, and is part of a national program held at more than 37 universities and tertiary institutions. Read more about the program here.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) social work graduate from far west NSW has been awarded the annual Lila Kirilik Social Action Prize for 2012 for a professional development and quality assurance project which aimed to improve the delivery of out-of-home-care services to NSW children and families in the far west. Bachelor of Social Work graduate Ms Sherree Tester conducted an audit of the program in addition to researching, writing, delivering and evaluating an education package for the out-of- home-care staff for one of her university subjects. “The Out-Of-Home-Care Quality Improvement Project aims to enhance the culture in the Out-Of-Home-Care (OOHC) team environment,” Ms Tester said. “I collected data about the working relationships of the team with carers, children in care and their families. This gives a baseline snapshot of the functioning of the OOHC team, including identifying areas of strengths and areas for further development.”  As part of Ms Tester’s prize, the University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences will donate $500 to Lifeline Broken Hill. Employed by NSW Family and Community Services, Ms Tester studied for her social work degree by distance education, and graduated during a ceremony at CSU in Wagga Wagga in December 2012.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will hold Wellness and Wellbeing Expos at its five main campuses, starting in Bathurst on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 February, to promote happier, healthier, more satisfied and more productive employees who are also resilient in an ever-changing workplace. Mr David Tallentire, CSU manager of occupational health and safety, said, “Charles Sturt University recognises and values the importance of staff wellness and wellbeing, and aims to adopt a holistic approach to the treatment of workplace health and safety. The University appreciates that personal problems can adversely affect employees’ work performance, work satisfaction, health, and feelings of wellbeing. We’re running Wellness and Wellbeing Expos to provide information to staff on the many health and wellbeing services available to them at Charles Sturt University and in our local communities, and to participate in workshops.” The Wellness and Wellbeing Expos will be held at CSU in Bathurst on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 February; at CSU in Orange on Thursday 7 February; at CSU in Dubbo on Friday 8 February; at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 February; and at CSU in Albury-Wodonga on Thursday 14 February.

About 200 Year 12 chemistry students and their teachers from Riverina high schools will join Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientists in Wagga Wagga in a series of laboratory activities and information sessions over four days from Monday 18 to Thursday 21 February. The HSC Chemistry Days are organised by staff within the chemistry discipline in the University’s Faculty of Science as part of its promotion of science in the wider community. One of the highlights will be four activities in a daily ‘Magic Show’ hosted by academics from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences in the new National Life Sciences Hub from approximately 1.30pm to 2.45pm.