Ms Kate Lewis, who was one of two Charles Sturt University (CSU) photography students to be short-listed in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009, has been honoured by having a second portrait short-listed in another major national competition. Ms Lewis’ portrait entitled ‘Paul’ has been listed as a finalist in the 18 years and over category for the 2008 Australian Human Rights Commission Photo Competition. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 10 December. Ms Lewis this year completed the Bachelor of Arts (Photography)  in the School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga. The 2008 graduating class of the photography program are currently showcasing their works in the exhibition Solo at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.

For the first time, Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Regional Bonus Point (RBP) scheme is available to school leavers in regional areas across Australia. “The scheme has been open to school leavers who studied their tertiary entry exam in regional or remote schools in NSW, Queensland and Victoria,” said CSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Ian Goulter. “Now school leavers from other states and territories will automatically receive the Regional Bonus Points.” The RBP program is an equity program targeting regional youth. The program offers an additional five points to the university admission score. “CSU recognises that higher education participation rates are quite often lower in regional, non-metropolitan areas so the RBP program gives regional students easier access to courses at any of our campuses.” More information on the RBP scheme is available here.

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.”