With peregrine falcons known to fly at speeds of around 320 kilometres per hour, Rudolf has some tough competition this Christmas and the falcons nesting at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange are up for a challenge. “It’s been a great year for Orange’s FalconCam Project,” said coordinator Mr Scott Banks. “The purchase of new monitoring and surveillance software has meant around the clock recording and live video streaming of activities in the eyrie or roost, which has brought worldwide support.” Visitors to CSU in Orange can also enjoy a 24-hour public screen in the library's Learning Commons. “The first of the brand new high-definition IP cameras should be operational by the New Year and will replace the ageing nest view camera.” The observation of the falcons’ fourth breeding season has seen all three young peregrines successfully fledge, doubling the international average. The trio should be soaring through the local Orange skies until late summer before moving on to their own territories, which may include the North Pole if Rudolf doesn’t keep up his good work!

One of the special moments during graduation season at Charles Sturt University (CSU) took place when CSU academic, Dr Colin Boylan presented his daughter to the Chancellor Mr Lawrence Willett AO on Tuesday 13 December. A senior lecturer with the School of Education at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Dr Boylan was clearly delighted when he announced his daughter, Amy as she was awarded her double degree, a Bachelor of Exercise Science/ Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) by Mr Willett in Joyes Hall. After four years of study at CSU in Bathurst, Ms Amy Boylan will take up a new position as Student Support Officer at Junee High School in 2012.   Ms Boylan from Coolamon was one of 200 graduates from the Faculty of Education to attend two ceremonies on Tuesday 13 December. “After being at Charles Sturt University for four years, the graduation ceremony was such an exciting event. I realised that I had done it and passed. It was such a surprise to have my Dad present me to the Chancellor, but it was a very special moment and it is definitely a graduation ceremony I'll never forget," said Ms Boylan. Dr Boylan said, “It was a tremendous privilege to present Amy to the Chancellor. I will always remember the special day".

A new lavender variety took pride of place for the first time during graduation at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. Developed in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, the plant was available for sale to graduates and their guests as a memento of the occasion from Monday 12 December to Wednesday 14 December. Proceeds will go towards the support of research students at CSU. The variety, ‘Riverina James’ is an ornamental and hybrid of Lavandula dentata (French lavender).  Lavender breeder and lecturer in animal genetics and gene technologies, Dr Nigel Urwin said, “The plants were produced for us by Plant Growers Australia (PGA) with a special label for Charles Sturt University. The lavender is one of several bred at Charles Sturt University, which are improved in oil yield and quality. Following sales at graduation, we plan to sell other varieties in 2012.” Riverina James can be obtained locally from nurseries and is produced by PGA. Other varieties in the Riverina series can be obtained from Larkman Nurseries in Melbourne. Read more about graduation here.

It was an early start for two students from Condobolin High School who were special guests at a graduation ceremony at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 13 December. School captains for 2012 Ms Ebony Davis and Mr Jordon Hall were part of the official academic procession during the ceremony involving graduates from the University’s Faculty of Education. The students, accompanied by their year advisor Ms Katrina Thompson, left Condobolin at 5am in time to lead the academic procession into the University’s Joyes Hall followed by the Chancellor Mr Lawrence Willett AO, CSU academics and other official guests. Condobolin High School was the only school represented during the graduation ceremonies at CSU in Wagga Wagga from Monday 12 December to Wednesday 14 December. Read more about graduation on CSU News here.

Cleaning out his art studio seven years ago provided the inspiration for Dr Denis O’Connor to begin his PhD titled Chances Taken. Opportunity, repercussion, interpretation: Portraits in time and place.  Dr O’Connor has completed his Doctor of Philosophy through the School of Communication and Creative Industries at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga.  "My thesis, which incorporates drawings, also critically examines the early days of the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, specifically the contribution the city has made to the evolution of studio art glass in Australia through the establishment of the National Art Glass Collection,” Dr O'Connor said. "It's also a reflection of my own personal story and journey as an artist.” Dr O’Connor was awarded his PhD by Chancellor Mr Lawrence Willett AO in a ceremony on Monday 12 December. A passion for art history runs in the family, with Dr O’Connor’s daughter, Ms Sophie O’Connor awarded a Bachelor of Arts during the same ceremony.

The departing Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter, will attend his final functions at the University this week in Bathurst. On Wednesday 14 December, he will attend a farewell dinner with the CSU Council before attending the final meeting for 2011 on Thursday 15 December of the University’s governing body. Professor Goulter will also participate in graduation ceremonies across the institution this week including two ceremonies in Bathurst on Saturday 17 December for the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts as his final formal duties with the University.

The value of information resources to social service agencies and communities will be explored in a public lecture hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 14 December.  Associate Professor Lynn Westbrook, from the University of Texas in the United States, has researched information issues surrounding domestic violence and how community agencies work with people in crisis. Professor Westbrook is spending three weeks with the School of Information Studies at CSU. She said information can be a powerful tool if it’s recognised, managed and shared amongst those who need it.  “Information is too important to leave in the hands of a few commercially driven companies,” said Professor Westbrook. “Our communities need useful information tools designed to meet people’s specific needs, especially for use in our social service agencies.”

A young veterinarian who is soon to graduate from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga has found her niche in a practice in rural Victoria. Originally from a mixed farm near Geelong, Dr Stephanie Bullen will be awarded a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science with Honours Class 1 at a ceremony on Wednesday 14 December. Since taking her professional oath in August, Dr Bullen has been working as an Associate Veterinarian at Maffra Sale Veterinary Centres in Gippsland. “I love working with dairy cows and spending my days out on the road driving through some of Australia’s most picturesque countryside,” she said. “I’ve become not just a member of my practice but the community as a whole, which is very rewarding.”  The ceremony is the culmination of six years of study for the 37 students who will graduate from the veterinary science program at CSU in Wagga Wagga next week.  

In response to the needs of  graduates, Charles Sturt University (CSU) has moved its graduation ceremonies to December of the year that students finish their studies. This year will be the only year that CSU hosts two rounds of graduations – in May and December. CSU in Bathurst will hold this year’s ceremonies on Thursday 15, Friday 16, and Saturday 17 December. Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, said, “Exit surveys of students indicated that they preferred to graduate the year they finished study, rather than return six months later when the majority have moved away to begin their careers - making it expensive or impractical to travel to Bathurst to celebrate. We are expecting about 1 000 graduates to cross the stage over the six ceremonies, bringing with them up to 3 000 visitors to Bathurst, which again provides a welcome boost to the local economy.” As a temporary measure, the ceremonies will be held at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst because the installation of a new air conditioning system at the CD Blake Auditorium at CSU will not be completed in time.