A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic is a member of this year's Australian Literary Society (ALS) Gold Medal judging panel.Adjunct senior lecturer in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Wagga Wagga Mr David Gilbey (pictured) said he was delighted to have been invited onto the panel to confer this year's ALS Gold Medal for Australian Literature.The panel's convenor is Dr Bill Ashcroft (UNSW), who has written widely on post-colonial literature and the Sacred. Other members of the 2017 ALS judging panel are Dr Bernadette Brennan (formerly of Sydney University) who has written on Brian Castro and Helen Garner; and poet and CSU academic Mr David Gilbey.The ALS Gold Medal is awarded under the patronage of the Association for the Study of Australian Literature (ASAL) which exists to promote the study, discussion and creation of Australian writing. Many significant Australian authors have won the ALS Gold Medal including Patrick White, AD Hope, and Mary Gilmore."I have been impressed with the variety, depth and imaginative complexity of the 45 books in a range of genres that were nominated for the 2017 award," Mr Gilbey said.In other news, a new writer-in-residence at Booranga Writers' Centre at CSU in Wagga Wagga has been announced.Mr Gilbey said, "I'm also delighted that author, Rajith Savanadasa, is the first writer-in-residence at the Booranga Writers' Centre in Wagga Wagga for 2017. I think his book Ruins is a brilliant first novel. Ruins is set in Colombo and I thought the background political struggles in Sri Lanka and some of the tensions between Buddhism and Hinduism were worked into the language of the novel convincingly. I loved the novel's narrative subtlety."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will launch its Community University Partnerships (CUP) program on Friday 24 February with thousands of dollars available to support local organisations and groups.CSU Director of Government and Community Relations Mr Peter Fraser said the CUP grants are an example of how the University is fostering the development of vibrant regional communities."This year's CUP program will support Indigenous, arts, educational and sporting activities in regional NSW through direct grants from Charles Sturt University totalling $100 000," Mr Fraser said."We want young people in the Riverina to aspire to higher education and to be aware of the opportunities in their own local region."Charles Sturt University is proud to be able to support projects that can make a real difference in our community and we've seen in the past that some of these small projects grow to have far-reaching effects."In 2016, CSU provided 103 CUP grants across all its regions.In the Riverina projects included the creation of a dry riverbed garden at a pre-school, providing uniforms and training for a rugby league group and new equipment for schools.CUP funding applications for the Arts opens on Monday 27 February. Further information about CUP is available here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will welcome more than new 850 students next week with a range of academic and social activities to help them settle into university life.Orientation Week will kick off with some pomp and circumstance during an official Commencement Ceremony at 10am on Monday 20 February at Joyes Hall.Following a procession of staff in academic gowns and an official welcome to CSU, continuing students will pass on a symbol of learning to a new student from each of CSU's three faculties.The ceremony will be followed by a colourful Market Day from 11am, under the gum trees near Joyes Hall.Other O Week highlights include academic sessions, library and laboratory tours, along with social events such as BBQs and live bands. O Week student leaders are raising money for the McGrath Foundation in 2017 and will be dressed in pink.Students will move into their accommodation at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 12.30pm on Saturday 18 February.Classes for all new and continuing students start on campus from Monday 27 February.Across the University more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU online.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is hosting a series of free information sessions in 2017 designed for parents and carers of high school students in regional NSW.  The Information Nights will provide a one-stop-shop for parents interested in finding out university study options for their children in the years ahead.They'll be held from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Commercial Club Albury on Tuesday 21 February, in Orange Ex-Services Club on Wednesday 22 February, Bathurst Panthers and Wagga Wagga Commercial Club on Thursday 23 February.Further sessions will be held later in the year in Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Wangaratta, Parkes, Lithgow and Mudgee..Parents will be able to meet with Student Advisors, ask questions about study options, the many pathways into university, the help available for higher education costs and the benefits of university study.The Information Nights will also provide details of what parents can expect during Year 12.The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will also be present at a number of these events to discuss the UAC admissions process.Register here for one of the Parent Information Sessions or to find out more information.A CSU Parent Information booklet to help with the transition to CSU is also available here.  Further information about studying at CSU is available on the CSU Future Students Facebook page.

The story of an Aboriginal Elder that reflects the experiences of her generation will be discussed at a book launch in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 9 February.A Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student Mr Bernard Sullivan said the story of Ngiyampaa woman Aunty Joyce Hampton is told in her book, Menindee Girl: The story of my life.   "At the book launch at the Wagga Wagga City Library, Aunty Joyce, and collaborators Deb Evans, Nives Zalokar and myself will discuss the way we created the book which was a key creative project in my PhD research," Mr Sullivan said, "My research explored a culture-centred way of working which fosters deep engagement and respect. It is a methodology that emphasises a researcher's responsibility to those who share their knowledge with them."Aunty Joyce's book shows how, despite moving off her Country, she remains strongly attached to it, and immersed in her culture. Working together, over three years, we arranged her unique prints, drawings and historical images with contemporary photos by Nives Zalokar and myself. The result vividly describes her deep connections to place and people. Her clear and simple words lead us on the journey. Her hand is in the design of every page, laid out in a beautiful full colour large format book."It's been a great honour to come to know Aunty Joyce, her family and the values she lives by," Mr Sullivan said, "In the book, Aunty Joyce demonstrates her cultural strength and enriches the identity of her family, her community, and the understanding of the wider society. One of the most enjoyable things was seeing Aunty Joyce give copies to each of her grandchildren."Menindee Girl: The story of my life will be launched at 6pm Thursday 9 February at Wagga Wagga City Library. Bookings on (02) 6926 9700 or wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au

After being selected as one of nine finalists in a major annual national poetry competition, a Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer has been announced in the top three.Dr Lachlan Brown (pictured), senior lecturer in English literature in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Wagga Wagga, gained the third prize in the Overland 2016 Judith Wright Poetry Prize for his poem, 'Self-division: little song selections'.Dr Brown said, "Judith Wright was such an influential Australian poet, and I am profoundly moved every time I teach her poetry in my Australian literature classes at Charles Sturt University. To have placed third in the Overland prize that bears her name is an absolute honour."The Overland prize also values experimentation, the pushing of poetic limits. I'm grateful that these prizes exist to encourage emerging poets who are trying new ways of writing."The third prize is valued at $1 000."Studying contemporary literature and poetry is important because it challenges us to think differently about the world around us," Dr Brown said."Good poetry offers us language at its most potent, as it jags across the surfaces of everyday experience. I'm so often impressed by the originality and brilliance of the students in my poetry classes here at the University."Dr Brown has won or placed in numerous prestigious poetry prizes and has had his poems published in many journals. This includes winning the Sydney University Henry Lawson poetry prize, the Macquarie Fields poetry prize, and the Hermes best poem award. He has also been shortlisted for the Blake Poetry Prize, as well as being shortlisted and commended in the 2014 Newcastle Poetry Prize.His poems have appeared in journals including Cordite, Mascara, Heat, Rabbit, Southerly, and Etchings. His first volume of poetry, Limited Cities, was published by Giramondo in 2012 and was highly commended for the Dame Mary Gilmore Award.Dr Brown's second book of poetry, The Surface of Your Lunar Inheritance, explores his Chinese-Australian heritage and is due to be published by Giramondo in 2017.A summary of the nine finalists in the 2016 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize can be found here.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher is seeking the personal stories of Riverina parents involved in sharing the care of their children, post-separation.Ms Ruth Bailey, a lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, is undertaking the study as part of a PhD into shared parenting after separation."I want to hear the stories of parents from the Riverina area who are or have been in any kind of shared-care parenting arrangement, since 2007," Ms Bailey said.Changes introduced in Australia in 2006 aimed to encourage parents who are separating, or have already separated, to share the care of their children in ways that involve more equal time and activity with both parents.Ms Bailey said, "It was hoped that this approach would be fairer and, generally speaking, be better for children."The existing research about this change doesn't tell us in very much detail about the personal, first-hand, every day, emotional and practical realities of this in people's actual lives."Parents involved in my study will need to do a one-on-one interview with me. It will focus on their particular story and experience of family separation and shared parenting. The interview will be recorded."Confidentiality is paramount so all names, places or any other identifying material will be changed."I hope my PhD will draw out any lessons about shared-care parenting after separation that might be useful for researchers, policy makers, post-separation services, practitioners and parents."Anyone interested in participating in the study should email Ms Bailey directly on ibailey@csu.edu.au.

The Chair of Indigenous Affairs at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Mr Stan Grant will deliver the Occasional Address during one of five graduation ceremonies to be held in Wagga Wagga this week.More than 900 graduates will receive their postgraduate and undergraduate degrees during the ceremonies in Joyes Hall at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 3pm Wednesday 14 December to Friday 16 December.Highlights of the ceremonies at CSU in Wagga Wagga include:3pm, Wednesday 14 December- 216 graduates from the Faculty of Arts and Education will attend the ceremony.- The Occasional Address will be delivered by Head of Campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Ms Miriam Dayhew.- Dr Tessa Daffern will be awarded her PhD, An examination of spelling acquisition in the middle and upper primary school years. Her research has shown how a child's proficiency in spelling, grammar and punctuation can predict their success with writing. She also developed a tool to help educators measure spelling performance. Read more in CSU News here.- Dr Brooke Scriven will be awarded her PhD, The Social Accomplishment of a Young Child's Digital Literacies in the Home. This research considers how a 3 year old child accomplishes digital literacy practices in interaction with her family at home. It contributes understanding of the child's interactional ability to manage activities and accomplish digital literacies, which may inform future policy and education practices.9.30am, Thursday 15 December- 185 graduates from the Faculty of Arts and Education and the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences will attend the ceremony.- The Occasional Address will be delivered by CSU Chair of Indigenous Affairs, Wiradjuri man and journalist, Mr Stan Grant. It follows the publication last month of his essay, 'The Australian Dream, Blood, History and Becoming' in the Quarterly Essay journal.- 20 graduates will be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage, only the second group of graduates to receive the postgraduate degree. Among the graduates is two local schools teachers: Ms Stacey Cox from Wagga High and Mater Dei Catholic College's Ms Pauline Streckfess  - Dr Julie Montgarrett, a lecturer in the School of Communication and Creative Industries, will be awarded her PhD, Temporary Alignments: Between Fraught Fictions and Fragile Facts. Through her PhD creative practice, Dr Montgarrett explores the 'blind-spots' in the history of genocide in Van Diemen's Land from 1803 to 1828.  - Dr Lester Alan Watson, from Canberra, will be awarded his PhD, Researching with Young People who Provide Primary Care for a Family Member with Mental or Physical Health Problems: A Critical Psychology Approach. This research collaborated with a group of young people from rural and remote areas to examine their experiences as a family carer. Dr Watson is an adjunct Research Fellow in the School of Psychology.3pm, Thursday 15 December- 189 graduates are from the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences and the Faculty of Science will attend the ceremony.- The University Council will posthumously confer the title of Doctor of Business (honoris causa) on Mr Geoff Honey. It will be accepted by his widow Mrs Cheryl Honey. Mr Honey was Executive Director of the Division of Student Administration at CSU when he died suddenly in May this year.- The Occasional Address will be delivered by the Federal Member for Riverina, The Hon. Mr Michael McCormack MP.- 15 Cambodian graduates from the Economics and Finance Institute in Phnom Penh will be awarded their Master of Commerce. They'll be accompanied to Wagga Wagga by 37 family members including young children. CSU will host a dinner for the graduates on Thursday evening.- Bachelor of Agricultural Science graduate Ms Jessica Kirkpatrick will be awarded the Agricultural Science Medal. From the south western Victorian town of Beaufort, Ms Kirkpatrick is in grain trade. Ms Kirkpatrick was awarded Horizon Scholarship in 2014, read more on CSU News here.- Dr Felicity Harris will be awarded her PhD, The Relationship Between Vigour and Earliness in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Dr Harris' research has expanded the understanding of the effects of development genes in wheat on the plant's vigour or accumulation of biomass, providing valuable information for wheat breeders.- Dr Paris Grant-Preece will be awarded her PhD, Reactions of iron and organic acids relevant to the light-induced spoilage of white wine studied in model solutions. Dr Grant-Preece's research focused on the iron (III) organic acid complexes in white wine as photoactive agents that can accelerate spoilage. The research has identified how the shelf-life of white wine can be better controlled.- Dr Helen Waite will be awarded her PhD, Proteomic and growth responses of grapevine shoots to heat stress and nursery practices in the propagation context. Her research focused on fungal trunk diseases in grape vines and has led to the development of propagation protocols for the vine nursery industry and an app to assess the quality of planting material. Dr Waite hopes this will help the industry to remain sustainable by producing high quality vines that are healthy and productive for many years with fewer inputs. Read more in CSU News here.9.30am, Friday 16 December - 140 graduates from the Faculty of Science will attend the ceremony.- The Occasional Address will be delivered by the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Tim Wess.- Wiradjuri woman and Director of CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) program Dr Faye McMillan will be awarded a Doctor of Health Science, Shared meaning of leadership through accounts of the experiences of Indigenous/First Nations women leaders. Her thesis demonstrates the importance of understanding issues faced by Indigenous women when undertaking leadership roles. Dr McMillan's mother and CSU academic Ms Robyn McMillan will present the Doctorate to her daughter.- Dr Jamin Forbes will be awarded his PhD, Population dynamics and implications for management of a Murray cod and golden perch recreational fishery in south-eastern Australia.  His study into the growth of Murray cod and golden perch and the effectiveness of stocking of these fish species in rivers and dams has helped to inform management of the fisheries in the southern Murray Darling Basin. Read more in CSU News here.- Dr Muhammad Shoaib Tufail from Pakistan will be awarded his PhD, Development of Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), village-based forage seed enterprises for the profitability and sustainability of smallholder farmers of Pakistan in mixed farming systems. Dr Tufail this year appeared in ABC's International Student Stories series.3pm, Friday 16 December - 187 graduates from the Faculty of Science will attend the ceremony.- The University Medal will be presented to Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate Mrs Jean Bragg from the Cootamundra. Mrs Bragg was a veterinarian in 2013 when she sought a career change and started studying pharmacy degree at CSU.- The Occasional Address will be delivered by the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Tim Wess.- Dr Syed Haris Omar's PhD, Pharmacology of Olive Biophenols in Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Treatment suggests chemical compounds found in the leaves fruit and oil of olives have great potential for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Read more in CSU News here.

New research has identified conservative community attitudes, male leadership and a focus on crisis response rather than prevention as obstacles to tackling domestic violence in Wagga Wagga.The research is first phase of a wider study by Dr Andreia Schineanu from Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Ms Lauren Darley Bentley of the Wagga Women's Health Centre (WWHC).An adjunct lecturer at CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr Schineanu, said this phase of the project canvassed the views of people who were in some way connected with domestic violence and the services that respond to the issue in Wagga Wagga."While some of the obstacles to addressing domestic violence stem from government financial rationalisation and limited funding opportunities, many challenges are related to Wagga's conservative attitudes and lack of gender equality in leadership, and this is something that we can work with," Dr Schineanu said."This first phase provides a good starting point for us to get together as a community and develop a series of interventions to tackle the high rate of domestic violence, while giving us a baseline against which we can measure any future changes."The report also found that Wagga Wagga's readiness to address domestic violence is very low and that there are many misconceptions about what domestic violence is, where it occurs, who it affects and the available services.The project Wagga Wagga's Readiness to Tackle Domestic Violence against Women – Stakeholder consultation Reportwill be launched at 12:30pm on Monday 5 December at the Wagga Wagga civic precinct, Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga.It is part of a wider project for the Wagga Women's Health Centre titled, Domestic Violence: Our Issue, Our Response.The project is supported by funding from the Rotary Club of Wollundry and also involves the Army Recruit Training Centre Kapooka.The ongoing research will examine the community's attitude towards domestic violence and gender issues before considering strategic planning of interventions to address the issue.