A researcher exploring consumer attitudes and taste preferences for food and wine is among the Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff recognised for their contribution to the University. CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann will present his annual Awards for Excellence at a ceremony in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 28 August. Associate Professor Anthony Saliba from CSU’s School of Psychology and National Wine and Grape Industry Centre has been recognised for his research into how we interpret sensory experiences to make decisions. “I'm passionate about research because it gives us answers, it allows us to achieve things like prolong life, increase happiness and allows us to make informed decisions about our future,” said Professor Saliba. More than 100 people are expected to attend the ceremony at CSU in Wagga Wagga to see more than 30 awards presented to individual staff members or teams for outstanding achievements in teaching, sustainability, research, innovation, leadership performance and professional excellence.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) was well represented at a national forum for the next generation of rural and remote health professionals. Second year Bachelor of Pharmacy students Ms Hannah Knowles and Ms Rose Broughton attended the National Rural Health Students Network’s NextGen Conference in Canberra in August. They were joined by final year pharmacy students Ms Louise Luong and Ms Courtney Lerano, and final year nutrition and dietetics student Mr Ash Smith. The students are all members of the WARRIAHS rural health student club at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The Conference focussed on Leading the Future of Rural Health and included skills workshops and networking opportunities along with professional development. Champion Australian wheelchair tennis player, Ms Daniela Di Toro was one of the keynote speakers at the conference, which was designed to inspire future rural health leaders. “The Conference was an amazing opportunity to listen to a wide range of leaders in rural health talk about their experiences and to network with similarly minded health students from all around Australia. It has been a strong motivator for me to become more involved with the issues surrounding health in rural and remote areas,” Ms Knowles said.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is rolling with NSW Bike Week from Monday 16 September, encouraging its staff and students to jump on their bikes for the health and environmental benefits. At CSU in Wagga Wagga, Mr Kris Whybro from local cycle store, Kidsons Cycles will present a Bike Workshop from 1 pm to 2 pm on Tuesday 17 September. The workshop near the University cafeteria, Eat@20, will cover how to select a bike, cycling safety and basic bike maintenance. On Wednesday 18 September from 8am, staff, students and community members are urged to join in a social ride from Premium Coffee Roasters in Trail Street, through North Wagga Wagga to CSU for a free breakfast from 8.30 am at Eat@20. Other NSW Bike Week events include a game of Bike Polo from noon to 1.30 pm at Eat@20 courtyard on Wednesday 18 September and a scavenger hunt from 3.45 pm to 5 pm on Friday 20 September. To register for any of the NSW Bike Week events at CSU, send an email to CSU Green. Bike and helmets are essential and CSU participants can win a bike and helmet valued at $600.

The phrase ‘You deserve a medal’ will ring true for some long-serving staff members at Charles Sturt University (CSU) this week. CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Vann will present medals to six staff for 30 and 20 years of service to the University and its predecessor institutions. Among those receiving a medal is former Head of the University’s School of Education in Wagga Wagga and researcher with the Centre for Indigenous Studies and Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education, Associate Professor Ros Brennan-Kemmis, AM, for her 20 years of service. “In these 20 years Charles Sturt University has grown and matured as a regional and international university. It has been a wonderful place to work full of opportunities and wonderful colleagues and friends,” she said. “Every morning as I walked to my office from the car park I thought of the amazing privileges that the University provided and the opportunities for teaching and research that have enriched my life in so many ways.” Professor Vann will present the medals to the staff over lunch in the Chancellor's Room in the Convention Centre at CSU in Wagga Wagga from noon on Wednesday 11 September.

A program to advance Charles Sturt University (CSU) as a leader in higher education teaching and learning will be launched in Bathurst on Tuesday 17 September. CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Garry Marchant, said, “Given the ongoing growth of student numbers and evolution of the higher education sector due to theoretical and technological developments, the launch of ‘Smart Learning’ will enable a stronger professionalised teaching focus to improve student engagement and maintain high-quality teaching standards at the University. With the implementation of Smart Learning, Charles Sturt University will lead the way in higher education learning and teaching innovation.” Information about Smart Learning and the next steps in establishing this program will be presented at the launch at The Grange, CSU in Bathurst at 3pm on Tuesday 17 September.

The benefits of a ‘brain-healthy lifestyle’ will be discussed at a Dementia Awareness Day at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 20 September.  The public event is being held by CSU’s International Student Club to raise awareness of the disease and promote early detection. Club President and PhD student, Ms Saba Nabi said more than 320 000 Australians are living with dementia.  “We want to talk about the disease, where to get help and how looking after your brain, body and heart can help reduce the risk of developing dementia,” she said. “We have a responsibility to care for the elderly members of our community and it’s important to understand the issues affecting them.” The event is being held as part of National Dementia Awareness Week and will feature a panel discussion with researcher, Dr Adam Hamlin from CSU’s School of Biomedical Sciences, aged care advocate, Dr Maree Bernoth from the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health and Ms Hannah Klapdor from Aged Care Services with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. For more information contact Ms Nabi by email.

A marital and family therapist from Canada, Dr Ann Evans will explore the tension between secularism and Christianity within families in a free public seminar at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. Hosted by Saint Martin’s College as part of its Occasional Seminar Series, Dr Evans will address the topic, No Creche for Christmas, Mom on Sunday 22 September from 4pm to 6pm in the Fairfax Centre, building 382, Park Place, near car park 19 off Valder Way, CSU in Wagga Wagga. College Head, The Rev. Jenny Willsher said, “This Seminar will interest anybody who has experienced the cultural divide between Christianity and secularism up close and personal; right in their own family.” A therapist in Vancouver, Dr Evans is also doing intensive work with couples in other parts of the world. She has taught pastoral counselling and dream interpretation at The Toronto School of Theology at the Victoria University. Toronto. Dr Evans began her professional life as a member of the clergy in The United Church of Canada.

Two teams of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Pharmacy students have demonstrated their business acumen to claim a place in the quarter finals of a prestigious national competition. Ms Thanh Le and Ms Marina Mikhail along with Mr Neil D’Souza, Ms Seray Goktekin and Ms Pooja Balgi are taking part in the National Student Business Plan Competition organised by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to promote creative entrepreneurship amongst pharmacy students. This is the first time CSU has entered a team in the competition and Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice with CSU’s School of Biomedical Sciences, Mr George John, said it was an opportunity for students to practice the pharmacy management and business skills taught in the classroom. “Students had to develop a sound business plan for buying a pharmacy and the model had to be innovative while addressing community needs,” he said. “I believe the competition will give them valuable experience for starting their own pharmacy business in the future.” CSU is one of 12 teams left in the competition and the quarter final round concludes on Friday 12 July.

A passion for the meat industry and the ability to pick a high yielding, quality carcase has earned two Charles Sturt University (CSU) students a spot in the Australian national meat judging team. Ms Tamara Heir and Ms Laura Kemmis, from CSU’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in Wagga Wagga, were selected in the five-member team to tour the USA early next year. The team was selected from ten finalists who attended a national industry training week in Brisbane which included visits to retailers, processors and a feedlot. It follows the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Competition held at CSU in July.  Originally from Walla Walla in southern NSW, Ms Heir is studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science while Ms Kemmis, from Queanbeyan near Canberra, is studying a Bachelor of Animal Science. “I’m passionate about building a career in the meat industry and this tour of the United States is an opportunity to develop contacts and gain a better understanding of how Australia compares in the global market,” said Ms Kemmis.  As part of the four week tour of the USA meat industry, the national team will compete in three American meat judging competitions.