Agricultural employers are being encouraged to look to the future and engage with the next generation of workers at a student-led event at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 22 July. More than 200 students from CSU's School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences are expected to attend the annual careers fair, under the new banner Approaching Ag. Organiser and Bachelor of Agricultural Science student Ms Amy Walker said it's an important opportunity for students to make connections and gather information to help tailor subject choices in their final years of study. "The Australian agricultural industry is diverse, vibrant and progressive and we really want our fair to reflect that," she said. "Our message to the industry is to get involved to secure the future of your business or organisation."During the event students will meet with industry representatives and hear from CSU graduates who will share their experience of the workforce. Guest speaker Ms Alison Hamilton, a NSW runner up in the 2010 RIRDC Rural Women's Award, will talk about the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector.

The annual regional RoboCup Junior Australia challenge for school students will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Monday 20 July and CSU in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 22 July.There'll be a record number of participants with over 100 students from schools in the Central West, Blue Mountains and the Riverina competing on each day. The students will compete in three challenges, soccer, dance and rescue, using the robots they have built and programmed since completing workshops with CSU's School of Computing and Mathematics earlier this year."The RoboCup Junior competition aims to develop teamwork and technical skills in an environment of participation, fun and excitement," lecturer in the School of Computing and Mathematics Dr Allen Benter said."It's the culmination of a lot of hard work by students who have built and programmed their robots over the course of the year. It's an opportunity for students to show their ingenuity and creativity to solve complex problems."Robotics is a developing career area and perhaps some of these students will design and build the domestic, industrial and manufacturing robots of the future."The winners of the challenge will receive prizes and have the option to progress to the NSW State Competition in Sydney in August.For more information about RoboCup Junior Australia visit RoboCup's website.

Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) student meat judges, Ms Jessica McGrath and Ms Nikita Roberts, have been selected in the national training squad following the Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) Competition in Wagga Wagga. It caps off a successful event for the CSU team which placed third in the overall ICMJ competition and won the lamb judging and eating quality evaluation classes. Bachelor of Animal Science student Ms McGrath from Bathurst and Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science student Ms Roberts from Maitland now have the chance to be selected in a team to compete in the United States in 2016. CSU Adjunct Associate Professor Peter Wynn was also recognised with a life membership of the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association. Professor Wynn has trained more than 200 students through the program over the past 21 years and was the architect of the format for the current program. It provides the next generation of young meat scientists with four days of national training and competition in Wagga Wagga. "I've been so pleased over the past two decades to see a small competition, which previously benefitted a limited number of trainees, grow into an internationally recognised program for graduates. This development is essential for Australia's flourishing meat industries," said Professor Wynn. In 2015, 130 students from 11 Australian universities and four international teams took part in the ICMJ competition which is designed to promote careers in the meat industry.

A group of female students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are using their vision for Australian agriculture to organise a networking event for women in agriculture.The CSU Wagga Wagga Agricultural Club (WAC) and the NSW Farmers will co-host a Women in Ag Day, Brunch with a View at the city's Country Club at 9am on Sunday 26 July.One of the organisers and Bachelor of Agricultural Science student Ms Alexandra Trinder said, "The event will celebrate, empower and unit both current and future women leaders in agriculture."It is also an opportunity to create awareness about domestic violence with all funds raised going to the organisation, White Ribbon."Speakers include: ABC Landline presenter Ms Pip Courtney; 2014 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl and CSU graduate Ms Brodie Chester; Southern Cotton General Manger Ms Kate O'Callaghan; lamb and wool producer Ms Vicky Geddes; and wool classer and trainer Ms Fiona Raleigh.A workshop will also be presented by Ms Courtney and AgriFood Skills Australia Business Development Manager Ms Margo Andrae on networking and the use of social media to empower women in the agricultural sector.Lecturer from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences Ms Caroline Love will be MC at the event.The Women in Ag Day, Brunch with a View is being organised by a committee of agricultural science students at CSU in Wagga Wagga including Ms Trinder, Ms Sally Poole, Ms Mikaela Baker, Ms Monica Ley, Ms Laura Bruce and Ms Ella Steinfort. Tickets are $30 for WAC members and $40 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased online here.

There's a bounce in the step of local squash players with the newly refurbished courts at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga set to re-open tonight. The Rowlinson Squash Courts has been undergoing a $120,000 makeover to improve playability and longevity of the facility for students and the wider Wagga Wagga community. Wagga Wagga Squash Club members will resume their 2015 season tonight after formalising an agreement with CSU for use of the facility four nights a week. The partnership will continue until the end of the year. CSU Division of Facilities Management Executive Director Mr Stephen Butt said it's a model being considered as part of a review of the University's sport and recreation facilities at all campuses.  "Charles Sturt University is looking to maximise the benefit of our sporting and recreation facilities for staff, students and our broader communities. A major part of the review will be to investigate if there are opportunities to assist community-based sporting clubs, or other community groups, through using, or leasing, our facilities."  The refurbished courts will also be used during the 2015 Eastern University Games, hosted by CSU from July 5 to July 9. External parties interested in using CSU sport and recreation facilities should contact Mr Lee Mottee lmottee@csu.edu.au in Wagga or Mr Nik Granger ngranger@csu.edu.au for the other CSU locations.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will host a MyDay today, Tuesday 23 June, for senior high school students interested to learn about communication and creative industries courses. CSU prospective student adviser Mr Andrew Connell said the MyDay will showcase courses offered by the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. "The aim of MyDay is let students know about the great courses that can lead to a range of interesting and rewarding careers once they get a Bachelor's degree," Mr Connell said. "It is essential that regional students hear about the opportunities in creative and communication-related employment so they can make informed choices about their future. MyDay gives students a taste of living and learning on campus, and provides useful information about courses and study options. Students also receive information about opportunities and support available, and about how to achieve their goals." The university expects approximately 22 students to attend from 11 local and regional high schools: Kildare Catholic College, Kooringal High School, Macarthur Anglican School, Mackillop College, Mater Dei Catholic College, Murray High School, St Francis De Sales Regional College, St Mary Mackillop College, the Riverina Anglican College, West Wyalong High School, and Wodonga Senior Secondary College.

International students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will have the opportunity to learn more about their rights in Australian workplaces during an information session on Friday 19 June. The event is being organised by the University's International Student Club. A number of speakers will address the session including a University Career Development Officer and the Skilled Migration Officer with Regional Development Australia Riverina. Representatives of NSW Police Force, the NSW Ombudsman and Toastmasters International will attend the event as well along with the Deputy Mayor of Wagga Wagga City Council Mr Dallas Tout. President of the University's International Student Club and PhD student Ms Saba Nabi said, "This is an opportunity for students to socialise at the same time as getting to know their rights and privileges while they are studying and working in Australia." The free information session will be held from 3pm to 5pm in room 278-281 in Learning Commons (building 13), near car park 7, Nathan Cobb Drive, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Approximately 600 high school students from across the Riverina will meet at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 19 June for the annual HSC English Study Day. Thirty-four lectures, workshops, and discussion panels will be presented on texts and topics being studied by Standard and Advanced English students for the 2015 HSC. Mr David Gilbey, adjunct senior lecturer in English in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the coordinator of the HSC English Study Day, said the day's focus will include poetry, prose, drama, film, techniques, writing skills, and exam tips. "There is always a buzz of excitement and fun to the HSC English Study Day," Mr Gilbey said. "The sessions will run from 9.30am to 2.20pm and will be presented mostly by teachers of English from regional high schools and academics from CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The students are grateful to get another perspective on the work they're concentrating on for the HSC, and for teachers it's a professional development occasion." Students and teachers will come from as far as Tumut, Yass, Yanco, Leeton, Junee, Culcairn, Gundagai and Temora. The HSC English Study Day is organised by the Wagga Wagga Branch of the English Teachers Association, in association with CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Head of Campus at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga, Ms Miriam Dayhew, has been named as the new Deputy Chair of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina. The Hon. Warren Truss MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, announced the three-year appointment of Ms Dayhew to the position. Ms Dayhew joins the new RDA Riverina Chair, Ms Diana Gibbs. These appointments will provide leadership for the 12-member RDA Riverina committee. Ms Dayhew has held the position of Head of Campus since late 2013. She is also the University Ombudsman. "Being part of the RDA Riverina is a great privilege. This group has a very strong reputation for supporting and developing services in the Riverina through connecting communities, business and government to projects, programs, services funding and to other people," Ms Dayhew said. "Working with the other highly talented members of the RDA Riverina to build partnerships and to be responsive to local priorities building economic initiatives is a challenge that I believe will be satisfying and fulfilling."